01/10/2014 – The labour market situation of young people in Europe is one of today’s most debated topics, with unemployment rates reaching 23.4% in 2013, and over 55% in countries such as Greece or Spain. Yet, a less known number is even more staggering: 29.7% of Europe’s young men and women experienced poverty and social exclusion in 2012 (EU-28, Eurostat, 2012).
EAPN feels that current employment-only approaches will not adequately cater for the diversity of youth, and will result in a lost generation beyond the labour market. The objective should be youth inclusion, with employment as a key element, but not the only focus.
This position paper represents EAPN’s proactive contribution to the debate about youth inclusion, drawing on national realities and our members’ own experience on the ground. The paper reviews the main issues affecting young people in their daily lives, starting from a problem statement, looking at underlying causes, and proposing solutions and good practices. It equally reviews the initiatives taken at European level, and makes concrete recommendations for a comprehensive approach to the professional and social inclusion of young women and men in Europe.
Access the Paper here in ENGLISH – ITALIAN – SLOVAK – MACEDONIAN
