POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF VIRTUAL INTERNSHIPS About the VI4IS Project The Virtual Internships for Inclusive Societies (VI4IS) project, co-funded by the European Union, is dedicated to enhancing access to internship opportunities for young people across Europe, particularly those from underserved communities. Specifically targeting participants in Serbia, North Macedonia, Spain, and Italy, the project aims to remove geographical and socio- economic barriers that often limit youth participation in internship programs. By promoting virtual internships, VI4IS seeks to offer equal opportunities for all youth, ensuring that they can develop the necessary skills and gain practical experience crucial for their transition from education to the labor market. The project is a collaborative effort involving several partners, including JA Europe, Belgrade Open School (BOS), JA Serbia, XANO Channel, Pixel, and the National Youth Council of Macedonia. Together, these organizations engage in a broad consultation process at the country level, assess existing virtual internship frameworks, and exchange knowledge and good practices at both national and transnational levels. The main activities of VI4IS include piloting new virtual internship programs and improving existing ones across Europe. Through these efforts, the project aims to ensure that all young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, have access to adequately funded non- formal education and meaningful internship experiences. Since its inception, the VI4IS project has successfully engaged 165 young participants, making strides toward fostering inclusivity in the internship landscape.

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