In the framework of the Lost Millennials project, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment, iED researchers analysed the Greek policy context for addressing NEETs over 25 years old.  

During the analysis, we examined the various policies and initiatives issued by the Greek state currently in force and involving young NEETs. Greece’s policy focuses on promoting youth employment and maintaining occupational stability. The preventive measures taken in relation to the employment sector are of a general nature, i.e. they are addressed to all young people without exception and to specific groups of the population, as opposed to actions concerning early school leaving, the transition from school to work and the various training and skills acquisition opportunities, which are mainly addressed to young people who are not in employment, education and training. 

The European Union’s agenda on NEETs is adapted to the Greek reality through national operational programmes. Further reforms are needed, both in the education system and in employment policy, to support this population group. At the same time, however, a joint effort is needed: the state, local authorities, employers’ organisations and trade unions should adopt a joint action plan to protect young people not in employment, education or training.  

At this point, the important role played by local government in addressing this category should be underlined. The local government, the state institution closest to the citizens, can implement programmes intended for NEETs by setting up the relevant agencies once it is aware of the rates of the problem in each local community. At the same time, local government, in cooperation with local employers (industries, businesses, associations of craftsmen and traders, self-employed people, etc.), can give young people who wish to gain experience the opportunity to work for a limited period in paid traineeship programmes. 

Learn more about the Greek policy context addressing 25+ NEETs by clicking here.