Ace Youth

ACE Youth aims to empower young people by fostering entrepreneurial skills within the creative sector. It offers a curriculum, educational tools, and an online learning platform (MOOC) to enhance creativity and business acumen. The creative sector has historically driven innovation, job creation, and economic growth, particularly among young adults. Despite its contributions, the sector—along with tourism—was severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, leading to financial instability and job losses.

In the EU, cultural and creative industries (CCIs) employed over 12 million people (7.5% of total employment) and contributed significantly to GDP. However, many businesses in this sector operate as small enterprises or non-profits, often facing financial challenges. ACE Youth seeks to address these challenges by providing entrepreneurial education and resilience training, especially for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. It aims to counteract issues like poor career guidance, underrepresentation in the creative workforce, and the impact of arts education cuts. By integrating mentoring and intergenerational support, ACE Youth strives to equip young creatives with the skills needed for sustainable careers in a rapidly evolving job market.