- Manufacturing 4 All is a new European project that aims to transform small municipalities through digital education and entrepreneurship.
- One of its principal objectives is to fight against: the disconnection of the industry, youth exodus, and the loss of business fabric.
The last decades the development and use of new technologies have increased drastically. Nowadays we live in a globalised society which is leaving no room for small regions and their respective industries. Obviously, most of the business’s fabrics are ubicated on the big cities, which means that many regions are facing new challenges to maintain the business stability and the population growth.
Again, are the young people who suffer the most consequences, the lack of work and the disconnection of the industry have damaged their future expectations. Consequently, most of the young people have had to abandon their houses in order to search new employment opportunities or educational expectances. Most of them go to the big cities looking for better salaries and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Manufacturing 4 ALL is a Project that aligns with Industry 4.0 principles, focusing on digital skills training for industry transformation. These skills will empower youth, bolstering local business structures and attracting new companies to the region. A win-win fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, the project also focuses on fighting against problems that endanger the survival of the small municipalities.
The first big problem the project faces is the disconnection of the industry, which poses a significant threat to small municipalities due to its potential economic and social repercussions. Industries serve as pivotal pillars in these communities, providing employment opportunities, driving local economies, and fostering a sense of community. When industries disconnect or relocate, it can lead to a loss of jobs, economic decline, and a subsequent exodus of skilled labor, particularly affecting the younger population. This shift can ultimately destabilize the social fabric of these towns, impacting infrastructure, education, and overall community well-being. Therefore, maintaining a thriving industry within these small municipalities is crucial for sustaining local livelihoods and fostering community resilience.
Consequently, a second problem appears, the youth exodus. This poses a significant threat to small municipalities due to its potential ramifications. As young individuals migrate towards larger cities seeking better employment opportunities and diverse experiences, it leads to a dwindling workforce and a drain on talent within these smaller communities. This exodus results in a demographic imbalance, hindering local growth and sustainability, impacting community vitality, and limiting innovation and development prospects. Small towns face the risk of losing their future leaders, skilled labor force, and the vibrancy essential for their long-term prosperity and resilience.
The third challenge lies in the loss of business fabric within small municipalities, presenting a critical concern. As businesses disengage or close their operations, it disrupts the economic ecosystem of these communities. This disruption translates into increased unemployment rates, reduced revenue streams, and limited entrepreneurial opportunities. Consequently, the local economy faces a downward spiral, adversely affecting its growth potential and resilience. Preserving a robust business network is vital for sustaining economic stability, fostering innovation, and ensuring a solid economic foundation within these smaller towns.
Manufacturing 4 ALL compromises itself to take care of those problems and support ideas and initiatives that look forward to solutions. Through the formation of the young people the project wants to provide the municipalities enough qualified workers to stimulate the economic situation. If this works, enough opportunities will be created and young people will have motives to stay in their municipalities and establish their lives. A better economic situation through the implementation of new technologies and the use of digital competences also invites new people to invest and create new innovative and entrepreneurial projects.
About Onil Town Council
Onil is a municipality in the Valencian Community, Spain. It is part of the historical and natural sub region of Hoya de Castalla (Foia de Castalla). The municipality is attached to the judicial district of Ibi and is known as the cradle of dolls. It currently has 7569 inhabitants (INE 2021). At the point of industrial recession and ageing/population trend in which the municipality finds itself right now, the town of Onil needs to boost job creation, especially in the young public, promoting youth entrepreneurship and training young people as an incentive to make a life here. This is one of the main objectives of the municipality, to strengthen youth employment by creating new jobs and training.
Mestieri is a consortium of Social Cooperatives covering different Italian territories working in all of them for the social and labour inclusion of people with disabilities. Mestieri Lombardia is a non-profit regional employment agency. Through a network of 15 local offices, it provides all kinds of employment services (guidance, recruitment, matching, selection, outplacement, etc.) paying attention to the social aspects of labour market functioning, ensuring person-centred attention in the process and raising awareness of decent work as the main tool to promote social inclusion and cohesion. Mestieri Lombardia wants to find suitable job opportunities for all, ensuring fairness in the conditions of access to the labour market, with particular attention to young people, women and groups disadvantaged in access to the world of work.
About FunkWeb
Since its foundation in 1997, FUNKWEB has been working for labour inclusion. FunkWeb started as a vocational school specialising in ICT and ICT-related subjects. Since 2005 they have also been working with IT production, HR and career services for companies and individuals. As an event organiser for the Norwegian employment service, they have experience in organising relevant practical training actions, working with real projects in a real working environment.
About Finnova
Finnova is the European Foundation that works for the constant pursuit of business innovation and applied knowledge excellence through talent development and its international and interregional connection. To this end, it promotes multiple networks and high-level events in order to seek resources and European funding related to technology transfer, modernisation and competitive development of public and private entities at all levels at international, regional and local level. Its headquarters are located in the heart of Brussels (Belgium) within walking distance of the institutions of the European Union. It also has a delegation in Spain with a presence in Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, Andalusia and the Basque Country.
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