On this page:

1. Forthcoming policy developments

2. Ongoing debates

Forthcoming policy developments 

The new Programme for Employment and Education, funded by the European Social Fund+ started its implementation only in 2023, after its approval in December 2022. No project supporting youth employment or entrepreneurship started by June 2024, but the application guidelines have been published for public consultation in May 2024. Priority 2 of the Programme – Capitalising on the potential of young people on the labour market (Employment among young people) has a budget of almost 880 million Euros and will support the following types of actions:

• Development of a youth network to provide personalised and quality services to young people, especially NEETs though (a) partnerships with the Public Employment Services and providers of youth services (as youth centres), (b) supporting mobile mixed teams (with youth workers and professionals in employment services), (c) providing young people with information and counselling; (d) supporting youth centres and clubs to provide employment services and services to prevent the NEET situation; (e) training youth workers to provide support;
• Preparing and providing training/employment services for young people, including NEET young people, through integrated packages of active measures customised according to the profile of young people, including: training, skills assessment, employment premiums, apprenticeships, internships, customised schemes of guidance or accompaniment;
• Activating the entrepreneurial potential of young people by training entrepreneurial skills, grants for young people's start-ups, post-establishment assistance;
• The development of social insertion enterprises to support young people, with an emphasis on NEET young people.

The National Youth Strategy 2024-2027, approved through the Government Decision nr. 566/2024 in May 2024 includes planned actions regarding:

• Revision of the legislative framework regarding internships and internships;
• Facilitating young people's access to internships and internships within the central and local public administration;
• The development of childcare support services for young employees, in order to ensure the balance between professional and family life;
• Improving the career counselling system for young people.

Ongoing debates 

No information on ongoing debates and reforms on the field of youth employment and entrepreneurship is available.