Youth Guarantee – empowering Moldova and Georgia to implement EU youth employment strategies

The EU co-funded “EU4Youth Phase III Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship” program successfully hosted the “Youth Guarantee Training for Co-management Structures in Abasha, Chisinau, and Poti” on April 17, 2024. This pivotal training event assembled participants from Lithuania, Moldova, and Georgia, focusing on the foundational principles of the Youth Guarantee initiative. Participants explored key preparatory stages such as mapping, tracking, and outreach efforts targeted at young people not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET).

The session highlighted effective implementations of the Youth Guarantee across EU member states, showcasing tangible benefits and strategic plans effective in reducing youth unemployment.

“Across Europe, the Youth Guarantee stands as a model of success. It brings together all relevant stakeholders in a coherent partnership approach. This includes state entities like Public Employment Agencies and municipalities, as well as private sector partners who provide traineeships, apprenticeships, or other work-based learning opportunities which facilitate young people’s entry into the labor market. It’s encouraging to see that the Republic of Moldova and Georgia are taking significant steps to develop and enhance these youth employment partnerships,” commented Christian Wagner, International Expert Team Leader of the EU4Youth Programme.

In particular, the training detailed the reforms to vocational education and training (VET) systems and activation policies across the EU. For instance, since 2014, Lithuania’s Youth Guarantee scheme has supported young individuals aged 15-29 who are out of employment and educational activities, ensuring they receive quality job offers, education, or training opportunities.

“During the training event, we tackled the urgent need for specialized training for the Co-management Group of the NEET Roma Youth Guarantee pilot program in Chisinau. The participants greatly appreciated this training, recognizing its crucial role in the Youth Guarantee framework and benefiting from the lessons learned from similar programs in other countries. The event’s concluding session allowed the co-management group to complete a joint implementation plan for the Youth Guarantee in Chisinau, incorporating the valuable insights and experiences gained throughout the training,” said Igor Ciurea, a support person for the National Steering Group on Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, who also oversees the implementation of the Youth Guarantee-type initiative in Chisinau.

The training was conducted in English, with simultaneous translation into Georgian and Romanian available, ensuring comprehensive understanding and engagement. This interactive session was enriched with insights and best practices, aiming to inspire and guide the participants.

The EU4Youth Phase III Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship programme, funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, is being executed by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) in Eastern Partnership countries. These include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The programme will run until the end middle of 2025 and aims to provide technical assistance to governmental and non-governmental organisations to tackle youth unemployment and enhance employability.