Press Release: EU calls for immediate action to drive down youth unemployment

Against the backdrop of Europe's persistent jobless youth rate of 21%, the Commission is pleading for Member States, workers' representatives and business to join forces and take decisive action to tackle youth unemployment.

The new 'Youth Opportunities Initiative', adopted by the Commission, calls on Member State to work on preventing early school leaving; helping youngsters develop skills relevant to the labour market; ensuring work experience and on-the-job training and helping young people find a first good job.

The Commission is also urging Member States to make better use of the European Social Fund which still has €30billion of funding uncommitted to projects. In addition, the Commission has put forward a set of concrete actions to be financed directly by EU funds.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Memo/11/937: Press statement by László Andor on the Youth Opportunities Initiative http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/937&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Memo/11/934: Press statement by President Barroso on the Youth Opportunities Initiative http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/934&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Memo/11/928: Youth Opportunities Initiative – Frequently Asked Questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/928&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EurActiv, 27.1.12: Barroso outlines youth unemployment initiative http://www.euractiv.com/socialeurope/barroso-outlines-youth-unemploym-news-510431

European Commission: Youth Portal: News: Latest youth unemployment figures http://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/latest-youth-unemployment-figures_en.htm

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