Deadline: 06-Jul-2026
This EU-funded programme supports projects that improve youth employability by strengthening employment placement systems, labour market coordination, and job-matching mechanisms.
With a total budget of €16 million, it funds initiatives that build cooperation between public employment services, private sector actors, and social partners to improve job access, data systems, and sustainable employment pathways for young people.
Programme Overview
This funding call focuses on improving youth transition into the labour market by strengthening employment intermediation systems and institutional cooperation.
The programme supports structured actions that improve:
- Youth employment placement systems
- Labour market information and analysis
- Cooperation between employment stakeholders
- Job-matching and recruitment mechanisms
- Sustainable employment support systems
The implementation period runs from January 2024 to December 2028 (60 months).
Main Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Improve youth transition from education to employment
- Strengthen decent job creation systems
- Enhance employment intermediation mechanisms
- Improve labour market data systems
- Build sustainable employment support structures
- Increase coordination among employment actors
Key Focus Areas
Projects should address:
Employment Transition Support
- Helping young people enter the workforce
- Strengthening career guidance and placement systems
Employment Intermediation
- Job matching systems
- Employment prospecting mechanisms
- Placement and recruitment services
Institutional Cooperation
- Collaboration between public employment services
- Engagement with private sector employers
- Involvement of social partners
Labour Market Systems
- Labour market data collection and transmission
- Employment opportunity analysis
- Monitoring of job creation systems
Sustainability & Governance
- Long-term system strengthening
- Policy feedback and capitalisation of results
Expected Results
Projects funded under this programme are expected to:
- Establish cooperation frameworks with public employment institutions
- Improve labour market data transmission systems
- Develop employment prospecting and job analysis tools
- Implement job placement and accompaniment mechanisms
- Strengthen monitoring of employment outcomes
- Support sustainable job creation systems
Funding Details
- Minimum grant: €250,000
- Maximum grant: €290,000 per proposal
- Total programme budget: €16,000,000
- Duration: 60 months (2024–2028)
Eligible Actions
Projects may include:
- Youth employment support services
- Job placement systems and platforms
- Employer engagement programmes
- Labour market research and forecasting
- Training-to-employment transition systems
- Employment counselling and accompaniment
- Institutional capacity building
- Data-sharing and monitoring systems
Eligible Costs
Costs will be assessed based on:
- Applicant eligibility
- Co-applicant participation (if applicable)
- Eligible action types
- Eligible cost categories
Only compliant proposals meeting all requirements will be evaluated.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants are typically:
- Public employment institutions
- NGOs and civil society organisations
- Labour market organisations
- Training and employment service providers
- Social partners and institutional consortia
(Eligibility is strictly defined in the official call guidelines.)
Application Requirements
Proposals must demonstrate:
- Clear youth employment focus
- Strong institutional cooperation framework
- Practical job placement mechanisms
- Data-driven labour market approach
- Sustainability and long-term impact
- Monitoring and evaluation systems
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Build Partnerships
Applicants must collaborate with:
- Public employment services
- Private sector actors
- Labour market institutions
- Social partners
Step 2: Design Employment Systems
Projects should define:
- Job matching mechanisms
- Placement strategies
- Data-sharing systems
- Youth support pathways
Step 3: Implementation Plan
Include:
- Operational structure
- Target group definition (youth)
- Labour market analysis tools
- Monitoring framework
Step 4: Submit Proposal
Applications are evaluated under strict receivability criteria:
- Eligible applicant structure
- Eligible activities
- Eligible costs compliance
Why This Programme Matters
This funding call helps to:
- Reduce youth unemployment
- Improve job matching efficiency
- Strengthen labour market systems
- Enhance cooperation between institutions
- Build sustainable employment pathways
- Improve evidence-based labour policy
It focuses on long-term structural improvements rather than short-term interventions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Weak Institutional Coordination
Projects must clearly show cooperation between key employment actors.
Poor Labour Market Analysis
Applications should include strong data-driven employment analysis.
Missing Sustainability Plan
Long-term system impact is essential.
Overly General Activities
Projects must define concrete employment mechanisms and tools.
FAQ
What is the main goal of this programme?
To improve youth employability by strengthening employment placement systems and labour market cooperation.
What is the funding range?
€250,000 to €290,000 per project.
How long is the programme?
60 months (January 2024 to December 2028).
Who can apply?
Eligible institutions include employment services, NGOs, and labour market organisations (as defined in the official call).
What kind of projects are supported?
Projects that improve job placement, employment systems, labour market data, and youth employment support mechanisms.
Is this a short-term project?
No. It focuses on long-term structural employment system improvements.
Conclusion
This EU youth employability programme provides substantial funding for projects that strengthen employment systems, improve labour market coordination, and support young people in transitioning into decent work. By focusing on institutional cooperation, data systems, and job placement mechanisms, it aims to create sustainable and effective pathways to employment across participating regions.
For more information, visit Enabel.