EUKN Publication
The current recession has increased unemployment levels in the EU Member States. Young people are hit hardest: one out of three young people in the EU is currently unemployed while the unemployment rates are rising rapidly. The increasing numbers of unemployed affect social cohesion. Furthermore, the economic crisis has reinforced not only economic but also demographic disparities between and within European regions. What are possible and effective strategies in times of crisis? The new publication of the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN) intends to provide an impetus for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities. The publication starts with setting the scene, by outlining relevant EU policies. Next, EUKN presents data and characteristics of the youth unemployment situation. The subsequent section focuses on the issue of geographic youth mobility and how governments may create favourable conditions for mobility, taking into account both the interests of migrants and those of the regions of origin and departure.
Finally, EUKN discusses the perspective of cities and local governments. Attracting and developing human capital is vital for the prosperity of cities. What are implications of this insight for tackling youth unemployment and dealing with the consequences of youth mobility within and between countries? The paper concludes with an overview of the policy-relevant conclusions, questions and implications. Please download the publication from the EUKN-website.
