Sixteen young people and two tutors have arrived in Palermo from Motril, Spain, to take part in a 70-day international mobility experience within the ALMA Andalucía Initiative.
Funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) Andalucía 2021–2027, ALMA supports young people who are not currently in employment, education or training and who may face economic, social or educational disadvantages. The programme offers them the opportunity to discover their potential, develop professional skills and take concrete steps towards social and labour-market inclusion.
A traineeship abroad, a step towards the future
From 21 September, participants will begin their traineeships in 13 companies and organisations across Palermo. They will be welcomed into real professional environments, where they can gain practical experience, improve their competences and better understand their interests and abilities.
The traineeship is not considered simply as a work placement. It is part of a broader personal and professional development pathway that includes mentoring, language learning, cultural activities and continuous support.
Living and working abroad can be a transformative experience, especially for young people who have had limited access to educational, training or employment opportunities. It allows them to become more independent, build confidence, learn how to adapt to new situations and develop transversal skills such as communication, teamwork, responsibility and problem-solving.
These competences are essential for employability and can make a real difference when young people begin to build their professional future.
From mobility to local development
International mobility programmes are often associated with the idea of young people leaving their hometowns or regions in search of better opportunities. In Sicily, as in many other areas of Southern Europe, many young people move away to study, train or find employment.
This experience starts from a different perspective.
The aim is not only to offer young people the opportunity to travel abroad, but also to show that Sicily can be a place where professional growth, training and inclusion can take place. Palermo becomes a space for learning, exchange and opportunity, while local companies, associations and organisations become active partners in the development of young people’s skills.
By involving 13 local host organisations, the ALMA mobility connects international participants with the social, economic and professional fabric of the city. The host organisations are not simply providing placements: they are contributing to a shared process of guidance, learning and inclusion.
This approach also creates value for the territory. It promotes internationalisation, strengthens connections between local organisations and European partners, and encourages the exchange of knowledge, practices and perspectives.
The role of FICUS ETS
As the host organisation in Palermo, FICUS ETS coordinates the local mobility and supports participants, tutors and host organisations throughout the experience.
FICUS is responsible for the practical and educational coordination of the programme, including the relationship with host organisations, the monitoring of traineeships, language learning, cultural activities and the participants’ day-to-day support.
For FICUS, hosting this mobility means investing in people and in the local community. It means creating bridges between young people, organisations and businesses, and demonstrating that employability can be strengthened through collaboration, inclusion and real-life learning experiences.
The project also offers an opportunity to promote Palermo as a welcoming, active and internationally connected city—one capable of supporting young people while recognising the value of its own local resources.
Building confidence, skills and opportunities
The ALMA experience in Palermo has only just begun, but its objectives are already clear: to help young people recognise their abilities, strengthen their confidence and acquire competences that can support their future educational and professional choices.
The 70-day mobility will be a journey of discovery, responsibility and growth. It will bring together participants from Motril, tutors, Sicilian organisations and local professionals in a shared experience based on learning and cooperation.
At a time when many young people feel obliged to leave Sicily in order to find opportunities, projects such as ALMA invite us to imagine another possibility: a territory that welcomes, trains and creates connections; a territory where international mobility can generate value locally; and a future in which young people are not only encouraged to leave, but also supported in discovering the opportunities that already exist—and can be developed—in their own communities.
