ARRIVE (Advance Retail Readiness in Vocational Education) is a project funded by the Citi Foundation through the Global Innovation Challenge 2025 program, dedicated to helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds develop the skills needed to enter the workforce, particularly in the retail sector.

The project addresses current labor market needs by developing technical, digital, and communication skills, providing young people with relevant practical experience, and facilitating their transition from the educational system to the labor market. The project is coordinated by Junior Achievement Romania, as the lead partner of an international consortium, and brings together partners from Romania, Ireland, Portugal, and Hungary, who are collaborating to prepare young people for a dynamic and ever-changing retail sector.

The goal of the project is to increase young people’s employability by developing skills relevant to the retail sector and bridging the gap between the education system and the current demands of the labor market.

Project objectives include:

• Developing young people’s technical, digital, and communication skills;
• Providing practical experiences to facilitate the transition to the job market;
• Supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing employment opportunities;
• Strengthening collaboration between the education sector, the private sector, and local communities.

The project activities take place over a two-year period and are designed to provide participants with concrete opportunities for learning and professional development, including:

• Providing educational resources to develop soft and technical skills in retail through specialized modules covering: customer experience, digital marketing, e-commerce, AI in retail, the supply chain, and sustainability in retail;
• 0ffering opportunities to facilitate access to the labor market, such as internships and job shadow days;
• 1Organizing hands-on activities through which students can practice various skills learned both in the formal educational setting and by working through the content available in the project.

Through the implementation of the ARRIVE (Advance Retail Readiness in Vocational Education) project, approximately 4,000 students from technical high schools in disadvantaged areas in the four partner countries have the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence, and experience needed to take their first steps toward the job market, while also contributing to the sustainable development of their communities.

About Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation accelerates economic progress and improves the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze employment opportunities for young people, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation’s “more than philanthropy” approach leverages the vast expertise of Citi and its experts to fulfill our mission and foster thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.

About Citi
Citi is a leading banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management, and a highly regarded personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi operates in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, offering corporations, governments, investors, institutions, and individuals a wide range of financial products and services.