ENO was designed in the framework of a COVID Local Recovery Plan. The initiative supports Viladecans 2030 Strategy’s mission to become a city with zero school drop-outs by 2030, and the Education 360 Strategy, which recognises the municipality as an educational ecosystem.  

The objective is to develop a comprehensive city model to improve the socio-educational opportunities of young people in vulnerable situations. This is achieved through a flexible, personalised and comprehensive 360º methodology, involving relevant city stakeholders.  

Key points are: putting young people at the centre; Intensive orientation adapted to individual needs and interests; attention to diversity (flexible itineraries adapted to individual circumstances and goals); 360⁰, integral and holistic approach in collaboration with agents; open enrolment at any time; educator accompaniment throughout the process, providing levers and opportunities.  

The methodology is structured into four phases (1. Inform yourself – awake your curiosity; 2. Get to know yourself – reflect on your pathway; 3. Train yourself – discover your interests; and 4. Act – lead your purpose) and six itineraries. 

ENO offers a holistic approach supporting urban development in a way that simultaneously addresses economic, social and environmental dimensions:

Economic: The productive sector takes part in the accompaniment, guidance and training of the young people participating in this practice. Every year new companies join the New Opportunities School, helping to achieve a comprehensive accompaniment for young people through their corporate social responsibility.

Social: The practice is guided by the principles of educational equity and equal opportunities for young people who are at risk of social exclusion and/or have difficulties in the transition to the labour market. It acts as an observatory and provides support for the most vulnerable young people of Viladecans. 

Environmental: A collaboration agreement has been signed with the company Aigües de Barcelona and the social organisation Acció Contra la Fam to carry out the Green Jobs project. The objective is to train young people so they can receive a professionalisation certificate linked to the green economy. This will be carried out in a real productive context, improving their employability and access to the labour market. In 2023, a pilot experience was launched with companies and professionals from the green sector to share experiences and co-mentor the young people from the project, providing comprehensive guidance in their training and employment pathways.   

The New Opportunities School employs a 360º model of collaboration with the city's agents and has the ENO Commission as its main coordinating body. Led by the city’s Training and Employment Department, the ENO Commission is attended by tutors and heads of youth employment and all training programmes in Viladecans. It currently includes ten city officers.

In order to provide a 360º approach, a wide range of local stakeholders are involved in ENO’s services and projects. These include: 

• Various municipal departments: Business, Education, Social Services, Youth, Local Police, Culture, Environment, etc. 
• Companies and economic agents 
• Educational community: educational centres, School-Work Transition Network, Educational Innovation Network, Vocational Training Board, etc. 
• Social entities 
• Families    

As an example of this participatory approach, a "Lead your purpose" day is held annually, involving young people from ENO, along with social and economic agents, the educational community, municipal services, supra-municipal administrations (Barcelona Metropolitan Area, Catalan Regional Government, Barcelona Provincial Council) and families. The aim is to highlight the achievements of the young people during their participation in the programme.  

In 2020, an analysis of local data revealed that youth unemployment in Viladecans had reached 12% – its highest in recent years. The school dropout rate before completing compulsory education was at 11% (2017 and 2018 data). Considering the potential for future deterioration due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the city decided to create the New Opportunities School to address the situation of these young people from a comprehensive perspective, and redirect their training and employment path to improve their future living conditions.  

In Q3 of 2020, a communication campaign was developed, and the ENO Commission was created. At the end of 2020, the first young people referred by different services started attending. During Q1 of 2021, a powerful prospecting campaign was carried out, reaching more than 300 young people. As a result of this initial prospecting, 85 young people participated in information sessions and personal interviews. In the end, 30 young people expressed interest in participating.   

As of June 2024, 184 young people have participated in ENO. The percentage of educational or training insertion is 55.2% and labour market insertion rate is 37.9%. The overall insertion of young people who have participated in the practice is 93.1%.  

The programme has received an overall satisfaction score of 9.2/10, and its tutorial actions 9.4/10.  

The practice is certified by ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, a globally recognised standard for quality management. 

ENO is relevant for any city seeking to promote educational equity and equal opportunities, with particular focus on young people facing the risks of social exclusion and difficulties finding employment.  

This unique, integrated city model expands the socio-educational opportunities of young people through a comprehensive methodology involving city stakeholders. This allows young people to achieve success in their path to education or employment.  

ENO is relevant to the 2021-2027 EU Cohesion Policy objective of "a more social and inclusive Europe, through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights", and the EU Urban Agenda partnership for Jobs and Skills in the Local Economy. 

It also supports Sustainable Development Goals: 1 No Poverty; 4 Quality Education; 5 Gender Equality; 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth; 10 Reducing Inequalities; and 17 Partnerships for the Goals.  

The model is not linked to a specific national strategy or legislation and does not require extraordinary conditions for its implementation beyond the commitment of the City Council. It can be adapted to the circumstances and needs of any European city, for example according to local resources and factors affecting the education and employment of young people.  

The success of this practice depends on strong political support and the active participation of all relevant stakeholders in the city, including those involved in youth, education, economic development and social services.  

It is important to consider the role of high quality, tailored individual attention in this model: its effectiveness may be diminished when applied to large numbers of participants.  

ENO has been recognised as a good practice at national level by the Spanish Network of Educating Cities (edcities.org), the Carles Pi i Sunyer Foundation (pisunyer.org) and the Bofill Foundation (within its Zero Drop-out Platform).