EU-ILO Technical Assistance Facility on the implementation of the Youth Guarantee in the Western Balkans: Innovation in youth employment policy through the Youth Guarantee (phase III)

The EU-ILO Technical Assistance Facility on the implementation of the Youth Guarantee (YG) in the Western Balkans employs a demand-driven approach, providing specialized technical advisory services to Western Balkan economies to advance Youth Guarantee implementation.

The overall objective of the Project is to promote fair and well-functioning labour markets in the Western Balkans economies in line with the principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights. 

The specific objective of the Project is to facilitate the integration into the labour market of unemployed and disengaged young women and men. This shall be achieved through three core outputs:

1. Stakeholders receive tailor-made technical guidance and support to review and adjust key features of policy and legal frameworks underpinning the YG.
2. Critical elements of the YG service delivery mechanism supported with technical advisory missions, specific tools, and tailored learning packages.
3. Stakeholders have access to adapted knowledge resources (methodologies, approaches, practices) that facilitate alignment with YG policy principles across phases and enablers. 

Leveraging the ILO’s mandate, expertise and previous support for EU member states, the project enhances Youth Guarantee governance and service delivery while fostering capacity building, peer learning, and the exchange of good practices among institutions.

The ILO shall provide tailor-made technical guidance, recommendations, and capacity support to all target economies on necessary policy reforms and initiatives to meet the requirements of the YG. Moreover, the ILO shall continue to facilitate peer-learning events and exchanges of good practices among institutions involved in the establishment, implementation, and monitoring of the YG, as well as a dynamic network of YG Coordinators.

The primary beneficiaries are young women and men aged 15–29 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) in the Western Balkan economies. The project will also benefit other unemployed individuals by strengthening labour market institutions and governance. Key stakeholders include governments, ministries responsible for employment, social policies, education and youth, public employment services, social partners, youth organizations, and other civil society organizations.

By facilitating structural reforms and fostering institutional capacity, the project aims to create sustainable labour market improvements, ultimately enhancing young people’s access to decent work opportunities and transforming their lives.