Youth outside the system are becoming too expensive a burden for the state: Ministry proposes support of 250.000 euros

In Montenegro, in 2022, there were around 32.200 young people aged 15 to 29 who were not employed, nor in education or training (NEET), which is almost a quarter of the total population of that age.

Therefore, the Ministry of Sports and Youth plans to support the projects of non-governmental organizations with 250.000 euros in 2027 through the competition "Support for NEET Youth: Your Opportunity", the aim of which would be to inform and activate young people who are outside the labor market and the education system.

The Ministry warns in the Draft that the state can no longer withstand the consequences of a large number of young people who are not employed, not receiving education, and not receiving training.

"Finally, the country can no longer financially sustain the economic and social costs of a large share of young people not in employment, education and training, skills mismatches and labour shortages, which, combined with out-migration, skills mismatches and labour shortages, and demographic characteristics, represents a long-term loss of human capital," the document states.

According to the Draft Sector Analysis for determining proposals for priority areas of public interest and the necessary funds for financing NGO programs, financing of 16 to 25 projects is envisaged, while individual support would amount to 10.000 to 15.000 euros.

“In 2022, there were approximately 32.200 young people aged 15 to 29 in the country who were NEET, which is about one quarter (23,2%) of the total youth population,” the document states.

The Draft Sector Analysis states that the share of young people in the NEET category is higher among men (54,6 percent) than women (45,4 percent), as well as among young people from the central part of Montenegro and those with upper secondary education. Among young NEETs, it is stated, “over half (56 percent) have acquired vocational education.”

Particular attention is paid to the high rate of young graduates who are outside the labor market, education and training.

“NEET rates among young graduates are relatively high - 29,1 percent in 2022 compared to eight percent in the European Union,” the document says.

It is also stated that "more than half of all young NEETs are unemployed (58,6%)", while "almost six out of ten people in the NEET category live in urban areas (65,6%)".

In 2022, around 8.200 young people from that category were short-term unemployed, while around 10.600 were unemployed for more than a year.

The Youth Guarantee program, it is added, could become a "key driver of structural reforms" and contribute to greater employability and youth employment. The draft states that it is expected that this program in Montenegro could yield similar positive results as in European Union countries, in terms of reducing the share of young people who are NEET.

According to the document, non-governmental organizations are recognized as partners in the creation and implementation of youth policy because they carry out activities related to activism, mobility, information, networking and participation of young people in social processes.

"Non-governmental organizations are a very important partner in solving numerous youth problems," the draft states, adding that organizations that deal with the inclusion of young people at risk of discrimination are particularly important, including young people with disabilities, the LGBT population, as well as young Roma and Egyptian populations.

The projects are planned to inform at least 1.000 NEET youth about the implementation of the project, as well as at least 100 parents through an information campaign about the importance of the Youth Guarantee program. It is also planned that the projects will include at least 100 adolescents aged 15 to 18, as well as at least five youth organizations and organizations for youth.

The document recalls that according to the 2023 census, out of a total of 620.029 inhabitants of Montenegro, 108.758 are young people aged 15 to 29, or 17,43 percent of the total population.

The public competition, as stated, should contribute to greater awareness among young people and their parents about the Youth Guarantee program, youth education with an emphasis on the development of life skills, as well as the development of competencies for better competitiveness in the labor market, training for independent work and work for an employer.