Name and description of the project: The design idea of Co(youth)working is to enable coworking spaces to have a relevant social impact on the target area, be an economically sustainable service and support the effective development of the entrepreneurial skills of the young users they host. The promoters aim to open coworking spaces by putting them in a relationship of constant dialogue with both the young people who live there and external stakeholders belonging to the local community, nurturing a virtuous process of participation, active citizenship and development of the area’s human and social capital.

Duration, programme, funding (Cerv or Erasmus+) and partnership: The project is funded by Erasmus+ and involves five partner organizations: the Municipality of Cinisello Balsamo in the lead role, the organization COACTIONS (France), the organization APPJUVENTUDE (Portugal), the association Nest 01 (Croatia) and the association Impact Hub (Netherlands).

Specific objectives:

1. Outline the role of the youth worker as a key figure in the management of a coworking space, identifying the skills needed and the path for their training and development.
2. Devise a cross-sectoral coworking management strategy that combines a focus on "social impact" with support for the development of startups within them.
3. Propose a tool, a useful guide for organizations that want to open a coworking space: a collection of recommendations, tools, activities, possible resources and risks (and possible solutions to overcome them).
4. Enhance the role and involvement of public bodies and territorial networks in the management of coworking spaces.

Project Activities:

1. A kick off meeting in Cinisello Balsamo.
2. 4 working group meetings, one in each partner country (excluding Italy).
3. 5 multiplier events, one in each of the countries that make up the partnership.
4. A final meeting.

Final products:

1. A booklet containing guidelines and indicators useful to coworking operators in building an open space ready to welcome young people and foster the economic and social development of the host community.
2. A list of skills coworking operators need to acquire in order to effectively engage youth in their spaces.
3. An online self-assessment quiz for coworking operators to assess their proximity/distance to the identified youth work competencies.

Project site: https://www.hubout.it/coyouthworking/