EU Youth Care Policy & Support Programs: Education & Employment
UNIT 5: CARE POLICY FOR YOUTH
1. Extended Youth and Transition Challenges
The period of youth, often extending between the ages of 15 and 30, has become increasingly prolonged. The transition to adulthood is significantly impacted by access to employment, housing, and the ability to establish an independent family unit. Secure employment is often the key to accessing these other essential elements. Undoubtedly, one of the primary challenges facing young people today is unemployment.
Young individuals are spending more time in the educational system, leading to a delayed age of independence from their families. Support from social welfare systems should provide young people with access to resources that facilitate their development. This includes:
- Training aligned with labor market demands
- Access to affordable housing
- Support for successful integration into the workforce
- Promotion of cultural activities
- Strengthening youth participation at various societal levels
Policies focusing on youth are increasingly considering the values and perspectives of this age group. Governments are providing resources to encourage youth participation in all aspects of society, promoting volunteerism, intergenerational solidarity, and supporting their contributions to building a multicultural society.
Furthermore, governments, in collaboration with social initiatives, are prioritizing the prevention and treatment of social risks affecting youth. This includes addressing substance use (both legal and illegal) and AIDS prevention, with specific measures for the social integration of vulnerable groups.
2. THE EU POLICY TOWARDS YOUTH
The EU’s youth policy primarily revolves around supporting training programs that enhance employability, promoting exchange and educational activities that foster a shared European identity, and encouraging youth involvement in economic, social, political, and cultural spheres. This ensures young people have a voice in decisions that impact their lives and encourages their contributions to European society through volunteerism.
Various forums and initiatives have significantly influenced this direction, including the World Declaration on Youth Policies and Programs adopted by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in 1998.
To further enhance the quality of life for young people, the EU has launched several programs supporting education, training, employment, and the strengthening of youth participation networks and structures.
2.1 Support Programs for Young People in Education
Most of these measures are part of the EU’s Socrates program. Socrates’ main objectives include strengthening the European dimension of education at all levels, particularly through language learning and promoting cooperation in education. This is achieved by supporting exchanges between schools, promoting open and distance learning, and fostering innovation in education, especially in the realm of new technologies.
The Socrates program encompasses several key initiatives:
- Comenius: Designed for schools
- Erasmus: Focuses on higher education and university exchanges
- Grundtvig: Centers on training opportunities for young people outside of mainstream education
- Lingua: Dedicated to improving language teaching and learning
- Atlas: Promotes distance learning and the integration of new technologies in education
The second phase of Socrates aims to address the European Commission’s Communication “Towards a Europe of Knowledge,” supporting the development of European citizenship and providing tools to enhance training and occupational skills that enable young people to enter the workforce successfully.
2.2 Support Programs for Employment Training and Youth Employment
One of the EU’s priorities is promoting youth access to the labor market.
The Leonardo da Vinci program aims to strengthen the competencies and professional skills of European citizens. For young people, it emphasizes initial vocational training through work-related training and learning opportunities.
Since 1984, the EU has been promoting measures for the exchange of young workers to improve their occupational training, language skills, social identity, and cultural understanding.
A complementary program, Youthstart Employment, targets young people aged 16 to 21 facing difficulties in accessing the labor market, often due to disrupted educational pathways. This program supports job training, hiring initiatives, and promotes self-employment ventures involving young people.
Currently, supporting employment and human resource initiatives is a key focus of the EQUAL Community Program.