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Brussels, |
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Youth Employment Support: helping young people move into work, education and training
The EU’s Youth Employment Support framework aims to reduce youth unemployment and the number of young people not in employment, education or training — the so-called NEETs. The objective is closely linked to the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, which set a target to reduce the NEET rate from 12.6% in 2019 to 9% by 2030.
The policy rationale is clear: early unemployment can damage a person’s long-term employment prospects, income, independence and social inclusion. Youth unemployment is also highly sensitive to economic cycles. After reaching 24.4% in 2013, the EU youth unemployment rate stood at 15% at the end of 2024. The Commission also stresses that youth unemployment remains around twice as high as the general unemployment rate, while young people often face unstable labour-market integration, job-to-job transitions and precarious work. Vulnerable groups, including young people with disabilities and those from minority ethnic backgrounds, remain particularly disadvantaged.
The core instrument is the Reinforced Youth Guarantee, which commits Member States to ensure that people aged 15–29 receive an offer of employment, education, apprenticeship or traineeship within four months. Since the Youth Guarantee was created in 2013, it has helped around 50 million young people.
The broader Youth Employment Support Communication is structured around four strands. First, the Reinforced Youth Guarantee provides the main policy framework. Second, the Council Recommendation on vocational education and training aims to make VET systems more modern, attractive, inclusive and fit for the digital and green economy, including through Centres of Vocational Excellence. Third, apprenticeships are supported through the European Alliance for Apprenticeships. Fourth, additional actions include the European Network of Public Employment Services, the Action Plan for the Social Economy and stronger evidence on young people’s access to social protection.
It is also iòportant to highlight ALMA — Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve, an active inclusion initiative for disadvantaged young NEETs that offers work-related experience in another EU Member State. In addition, the Commission refers to the Quality Framework for Traineeships and the 2024 initiative to improve trainees’ working conditions, fair pay, access to social protection and inclusiveness.
EU financial support is substantial. The Commission encourages Member States to increase investment in youth employment, with at least €22 billion planned for 2021–2027 through the EU budget and NextGenerationEU. The European Social Fund Plus is the main EU financial instrument, supporting youth employment with €11 billion in 2021–2027. The Just Transition Fund is expected to add around €150 million for youth employment.
Finally, implementation is supported through policy guidance, mutual learning and monitoring. National Youth Guarantee Coordinators connect the Commission with Member State authorities, while the Youth Guarantee Knowledge Centre supports exchange of experience.
Progress is monitored through the European Semester, the Employment Committee, dedicated indicators and annual data collection.
The policy rationale is clear: early unemployment can damage a person’s long-term employment prospects, income, independence and social inclusion. Youth unemployment is also highly sensitive to economic cycles. After reaching 24.4% in 2013, the EU youth unemployment rate stood at 15% at the end of 2024. The Commission also stresses that youth unemployment remains around twice as high as the general unemployment rate, while young people often face unstable labour-market integration, job-to-job transitions and precarious work. Vulnerable groups, including young people with disabilities and those from minority ethnic backgrounds, remain particularly disadvantaged.
The core instrument is the Reinforced Youth Guarantee, which commits Member States to ensure that people aged 15–29 receive an offer of employment, education, apprenticeship or traineeship within four months. Since the Youth Guarantee was created in 2013, it has helped around 50 million young people.
The broader Youth Employment Support Communication is structured around four strands. First, the Reinforced Youth Guarantee provides the main policy framework. Second, the Council Recommendation on vocational education and training aims to make VET systems more modern, attractive, inclusive and fit for the digital and green economy, including through Centres of Vocational Excellence. Third, apprenticeships are supported through the European Alliance for Apprenticeships. Fourth, additional actions include the European Network of Public Employment Services, the Action Plan for the Social Economy and stronger evidence on young people’s access to social protection.
It is also iòportant to highlight ALMA — Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve, an active inclusion initiative for disadvantaged young NEETs that offers work-related experience in another EU Member State. In addition, the Commission refers to the Quality Framework for Traineeships and the 2024 initiative to improve trainees’ working conditions, fair pay, access to social protection and inclusiveness.
EU financial support is substantial. The Commission encourages Member States to increase investment in youth employment, with at least €22 billion planned for 2021–2027 through the EU budget and NextGenerationEU. The European Social Fund Plus is the main EU financial instrument, supporting youth employment with €11 billion in 2021–2027. The Just Transition Fund is expected to add around €150 million for youth employment.
Finally, implementation is supported through policy guidance, mutual learning and monitoring. National Youth Guarantee Coordinators connect the Commission with Member State authorities, while the Youth Guarantee Knowledge Centre supports exchange of experience.
Progress is monitored through the European Semester, the Employment Committee, dedicated indicators and annual data collection.
