Current Debates on Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship

As mentioned throughout the chapter, Spain continues to implement various reforms and plans to improve youth employment and entrepreneurship. 

These include the Youth Guarantee Plus 2021–2027 programme and Strategic Plan Avanza Juventud, which together allocate billions in EU and national funding to improve employability, enhance youth skills, and support entrepreneurial initiatives for youth. There are ongoing debates, particularly regarding the effectiveness of these measures and whether they will lead to tangible improvements in youth unemployment and entrepreneurial activity.

In addition to existing initiatives, Spain has also launched the Youth Employment Fund as part of the European Recovery Plan, providing targeted financial support to reduce youth unemployment by facilitating apprenticeships, internships, and entrepreneurial start-ups.

Specific Questions Raised in the Congress of Deputies

In recent years, questions in the Congress of Deputies have focused on the implementation and effectiveness of major youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives, such as Erasmus + Youth in Action Programme, the European Solidarity Corps Traineeships or employment and the International Work Camps. Political parties are keen to assess whether these initiatives are having a real impact on youth unemployment rates and entrepreneurship culture.

In 2023, the People’s Party again raised questions about the implementation of the Youth Guarantee Plus 2021–2027 and whether these measures will be effective in tackling youth unemployment across the Autonomous Regions. The question focused on how well the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) has been distributed and whether the funding is reaching the regions with the highest youth unemployment.

Debates on Promoting Entrepreneurship Culture

In addition to discussions on youth employment, political parties have also raised questions about entrepreneurial culture:

• In 2021, the People’s Party asked about the INJUVE´s efforts to promote entrepreneurial culture and youth entrepreneurship through initiatives like the National Contest of Young Entrepreneurs. Questions were raised about whether these efforts were leading to measurable improvements in youth start-ups and business creation.
• In 2023, the debate intensified regarding Spain's approach to supporting youth entrepreneurship, particularly after the introduction of the Startup Law. Critics in the Congress of Deputies questioned whether the tax incentives, funding schemes, and reduced bureaucratic barriers under this law would be sufficient to support long-term start-ups and encourage young people to take on entrepreneurial ventures

Challenges and Future Debates

As part of ongoing debates, INJUVE has called for more targeted actions to address the specific needs of youth in rural areas, where access to entrepreneurship programmes and financial support remains limited. The discussion continues around the effectiveness of regional programmes, such as those in Catalonia and Andalusia, and whether they provide adequate support for youth-led start-ups in less urbanized regions.

Furthermore, political parties are currently discussing the need for new policies that address the increasing digitalisation of entrepreneurship, particularly in sectors like green technologies, AI, and social entrepreneurship. 

There is a push for more initiatives to integrate entrepreneurial education with vocational training and digital skills, ensuring young people are equipped to succeed in the future economy.

Youth Law

A key legislative development currently under discussion is the Propuesta de la Ley de Juventud y Justicia Intergeneracional 2025, which aims to address the rights and economic opportunities for young people in Spain. The law, which is expected to be finalized in 2025, incorporates provisions related to youth employment, entrepreneurship, and economic inclusion, aligning with Spain’s broader goals of promoting youth participation in the economy and ensuring intergenerational justice. The law’s emphasis on creating an environment for sustainable entrepreneurship and improving employment conditions for young people is a crucial area of debate in ongoing discussions regarding Spain’s employment reforms.