ILO Launches EU-Funded Youth NEET Programme in Southern Mediterranean

The program will draw inspiration from the European Youth Guarantee and its application in the Western Balkans, aiming to design and pilot innovative interventions to help young NEETs transition to decent work and living conditions.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new EU-funded regional initiative aimed at supporting young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) in the Southern Mediterranean region, which includes Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Tunisia. This initiative seeks to make public policies and services more responsive to the needs of these young individuals.

The NEET rate, indicating youth not in education, employment, or training, poses significant challenges in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where it stands at 29%, compared to the global average of 23% and the OECD average of 12%. High NEET rates lead to health risks, social exclusion, and poor job prospects for individuals, while societies face economic stagnation and persistent poverty. These statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted policies to address youth unemployment and improve labor force participation, particularly among young women in the region.

Building on the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Ministerial Declaration on Employment and Labour (Marrakech, 18 May 2022) and international commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (notably target 8.6 on young NEETs), this three-year initiative will support Southern Mediterranean partners in promoting policies and services tailored to the needs of young NEETs. The program will draw inspiration from the European Youth Guarantee and its application in the Western Balkans, aiming to design and pilot innovative interventions to help young NEETs transition to decent work and living conditions.

The online launch event brought together representatives from the European Commission, EU Delegations, government officials from the Southern Mediterranean region, workers' and employers' organizations, ILO regional and country teams, the European Training Foundation, and the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat. This event fostered regional exchanges of experiences and best practices among stakeholders, contributing to a shared understanding of the NEET situation and raising awareness about the new regional program's approach.

Stefano Dotto, Team Leader at the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission (DG NEAR), emphasized the regional dimension of the initiative, stating that it would promote peer-exchange and mutual inspiration to develop responsive policies and services for young NEETs in the Southern Neighbourhood.

Benjamin Van Zeveren, International Policy Officer at the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission (DG EMPL), highlighted the success of the Youth Guarantee in the EU, noting its role in creating opportunities for young people and driving structural reforms and innovation.

Ms. Naima Barri, Head of the Job Seeker Services Division at ANAPEC, Morocco, emphasized her government's commitment to addressing the situation of NEET young people, as reflected in the new national employment strategy and the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills.

Mr. Mounir Dakhli, Director of International Cooperation at Tunisia's Ministry of Employment and Professional Training, stressed the importance of a solid strategy of demand management and economic development to reduce NEET rates. He highlighted the success of initiatives like the 2nd chance program and specific qualification training in helping young people overcome vulnerability and achieve professional success.

Dr. Halim Hamzoui, Director of CO-ALGIERS, concluded by underscoring the importance of sharing best practices globally to engage NEET youth in the job market, aiming to create decent job opportunities and improve social justice. He expressed anticipation for future meetings to share concrete examples and tested solutions for NEET youth.