YOUTH GUARANTEE IN THE WESTERN BALKANS
What is the Youth Guarantee?
The Youth Guarantee stands as a proven, inclusive, and ambitious activation scheme utilized by EU Member States since 2013. It facilitates a smooth school to work transition for young individuals, supports their integration into the labour market, and ensures that no young person is left behind.
What is the main objective of the Youth Guarantee initiative?
The Youth Guarantee aims to address the challenge of youth unemployment and inactivity. Through the Youth Guarantee, EU Member States, alongside the six Western Balkan economies, commit to provide all young people with a quality offer of employment, continued education, apprenticeship, or traineeship within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education.
What are the key priorities of the European Commission’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans?
In October 2020, the European Commission (EC) introduced a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans (EIP). This plan prioritizes long-term economic recovery, a green and digital transition, regional integration, and convergence with the European Union. A notable element in the EIP is Flagship initiative #10, which recommends that Western Balkans governments establish a Youth Guarantee aligned with the EU Youth Guarantee.
When did the economies of the Western Balkans commit to gradually implementing youth guarantee schemes in the region?
At the second EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting on Employment and Social Affairs held on 8 July 2021, ministers responsible for employment issues endorsed a Declaration on ensuring sustainable labour market integration of young people. This declaration acknowledges the disproportionate impact of the ongoing crisis on young individuals and outlines a commitment to gradually implement and enhance youth guarantee schemes in the region. It draws inspiration from the EU Council Recommendation of 30 October 2020 on A Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee.
Why Apply for Support through the EU-ILO TAF on the Youth Guarantee?
- The EU-ILO TAF is demand-driven, responding to specific country needs;
- The EU-ILO TAF leverages the technical competencies and expertise of the ILO and the European Training Foundation (ETF) in areas related to the Youth
- The TAF operates regionally, ensuring that all Western Balkans economies have access to comparable quality services and guidance, promoting culture of coordination and peer learning among them, as well as triangular cooperation involving carefully selected good practices from European Public Employment Services and other institutions.