Integrating young offenders through the blue economy

The Turning Blue project, co-funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) under the Blue Careers call for proposals, aims to help young offenders to pursue a career in the blue economy. The project seeks to create new cooperation mechanisms and educational material to attract young talents in different sectors of the blue economy, creating a win-win situation for the sector and for disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 30. 

In Europe, there are over 1.4 million people deprived of liberty. Many of these are young prisoners, who are at high risk of recidivism as they lack opportunities to gain useful skills and experiences. Their reintegration in society, as well as in the labour market, can be extremely difficult.

The Turning Blue project wants to raise awareness about career opportunities in the blue economy and help blue economy sectors finding the talent they need, while offering a valuable employment perspective to disadvantaged young people.

Rita Lourenço, Deputy Director at Aproximar, said 

“Turning Blue is a win-win project because it contributes to both the blue economy’s growth, by finding new talents, and unemployment reduction among people leaving prison. And in doing so, it also decreases the chances of reoffending.” 

Tangible resources for young prisoners

Nine partners from five EU countries are delivering concrete results to turn the project’s objectives into tangible actions, such as:

• The development of a Roadmap for blue careers, with 30 job profiles identified in four blue economy sectors (Fisheries & Aquaculture, Maritime Services & Tourism, Shipping and Port Activities), according to the specific needs of each of the five targeted countries;
• Awareness raising campaigns aimed at increasing young prisoners’ awareness, knowledge and motivation to pursue a blue career;
• The design of a transition model “from prison to blue career” as a necessary framework to ensure a correct reintegration of young offenders in society upon their release;
• The set-up of the Turning Blue Network to connect and strengthen the link between prison services, education and training providers, and the blue industry;
• The creation of a job placement platform, designed to connect young people leaving prison that are job seekers in the blue economy with the operators having high potential and motivation to employ them, thus facilitating a positive experience, proper mentorship and job-retention.

The Turning Blue “Roadmap for a Blue Career” can be downloaded from the project website in 6 different languages, as well as the career and competency infographics.

The project’s results will include 25 job placements and retentions, 5 national seminars, 2 EU webinars and 1 EU conference involving more than 350 participants and transferring ‘Turning Blue’ experience to, at least, 12 other EU jurisdictions. 

Turning Blue is contributing to the European Skills Agenda, by ensuring social fairness, access to education, training and lifelong learning for everybody.

It is also in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness and the European Union of Skills Strategy. 

Some challenges still ahead

While the benefits of reintegrating young prisoners in society and in the job market are clear, as highlighted by the project in their transition model, some challenges still make it difficult to do so. 

There are for example social stigma, the requirement of a certificate of conduct asked by some employers, lack of mentors, language barriers, need for young offenders’ education and adaptation to the work environment.

More information   

Check out the project’s promotional video and media pack at Media pack - TURNING BLUE. 

Follow them on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). 

Get inspired by this EU project working for a more inclusive and resilient blue economy!