The Athens-based team at EUphoria Youth Lab created the document “Ανεργία & Κοινωνικός Αποκλεισμός” (Unemployment & Social Exclusion) as part of the “Think Tank – Chance for Youth” project, aims to address critical socio-economic challenges impacting youth, especially unemployment and social exclusion. The Greek team’s research focuses on the systemic issues within Greece that hinder youth employment and prevent social integration.
The document emphasizes the interconnection between unemployment and social exclusion, noting how joblessness often initiates a cycle of economic and social disadvantage, affecting young people’s access to housing, education, and healthcare. The project team identified structural barriers, such as discrimination and insufficient educational alignment with market needs, as well as economic and mental health challenges that entrench young people in long-term unemployment. These issues are particularly acute in Greece, which faced youth unemployment rates over 34% as recently as 2020, among the highest in Europe.
To break this cycle, the strategy recommends:
- Educational and Skill Development: Establishing training programs to align youth skills with market needs and mitigate social exclusion, especially for those in underserved regions.
- Anti-Discrimination Policies: Advocating for policies that prevent workplace discrimination based on age, gender, or ethnicity, thereby creating an inclusive labor market.
- Mental Health Support: Ensuring accessible mental health resources to help youth manage the stress and emotional toll of unemployment, fostering resilience for job seekers.
- Community Engagement: Promoting initiatives and support networks to counter social isolation, helping young people integrate actively into the social fabric despite economic hardships.
With this research, EUphoria Youth Lab underscores the urgent need for an integrated policy response to youth unemployment, advocating for a social framework that empowers young people not only to find employment but also to actively participate in shaping a more equitable Greek society.
Link to the publication: https://euphoriayouthlab.eu/2024/10/30/e-book-ανεργία-και-κοινωνικός-αποκλεισμός/
