How practical is the "Youth Guarantee programme" in Romania?

A major consequence of the prolonged economic crisis in the EU is that youth unemployment rates in the Member States have reached alarming levels. Young people feel that the European Union does not help, that it does nothing for their daily life, and their disappointment was felt at the European Parliament elections in May.

In order to support young people to enter the labour market or return to the education system, a series of measures is established at the European level: the "Youth guarantee programme". This programme is a system of measures that should ensure that every person under the age of 25 receives a quality offer of employment, continues education, enter into apprenticeship, or completes an internship within four months of leaving the educational system or becoming unemployed.

Proposed programs such as this one require an implementation system based on a close collaboration between key stakeholders: public authorities, employment services, career guidance counsellors, education and training facilities, youth support services, businesses, employers, and unions, as well as reorganization and reform in education and training programmes.

 
Romania has allocated almost € 106 million to this programme, with eligible regions Centre Romania, South-Muntenia and South-East Romania (where youth unemployment rates are especially high). The national implementation scheme for the period 2014-2015, an initiative proposed by the Ministry of Labour, nominated the entities in charge of implementation: the National Agency for Employment, in partnership with a consortium of trade unions and employer federations aimed especially at internships, apprenticeship, and young entrepreneurs.

The implementation of the new 'Youth Guarantee Programme' in Romania has its challenges. Sources in Brussels note that the program is expected to be operational and accessible by Romanian youth only by October 2014.

Dan LUCA / Brussels