Green Academy in Thessaloniki
Description
Odyssea’s Green Academy, implemented in collaboration with Athenian Brewery, supports young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) by equipping them with the skills to re-enter the labour market through sustainable career pathways.
Built around sustainable training practices, green skills development in traditional professions and labour market integration, the programme focuses on sectors with strong future prospects: hospitality, agriculture and construction. It combines practical, hands-on training with employability support to facilitate job placement.
Strategic Partner
44
Academy participants
40
beneficiaries served by employability services
17
hired
Problem
Young people not in education, employment or training in Thessaloniki and Central Macedonia face limited pathways back into the labour market. Vulnerable groups, including unemployed youth, women and migrants, lack access to practical training in the sectors with the strongest future prospects, as well as to the employability support needed to convert skills into jobs.
Solution
The Green Academy at the Odyssea Youth Center in Thessaloniki delivers green and digital skills training built on three phases. Participants learn through intensive workshops led by practitioners in hospitality, agriculture and construction, combining theory with demonstrations and real-world case studies alongside soft skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving. They then practise through hands-on projects that build a personal portfolio employers can recognise. Finally, they connect with the labour market through employer networking sessions, mock interviews and placements, supported by continuous coaching from Odyssea’s employability team.
Services
- Kitchen Assistant – Zero Waste: hospitality training with zero-waste kitchen techniques
- Sustainable Farming: urban farming, irrigation efficiency, composting and agri-food value chain basics
- Environmentally Friendly Painting Techniques: low-impact materials and practices in construction
- Employability Services: CV and interview preparation, employer connections, site visits and placement support, plus a certificate of completion
Outcomes
- 44 Academy participants
- 40 beneficiaries served by employability services
- 17 hired
