ILO Regional Seminar Tackled NEET Challenges to Boost Youth Employment in the Southern Mediterranean

TUNIS (ILO News) – From 21 to 23 October, in Tunis, the International Labour Organization (ILO) convened 21 representatives from stakeholders involved in policy-making and service delivery from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Tunisia for a regional training focused on the needs of young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEETs) across the Southern Mediterranean region.

The seminar provided a comprehensive understanding of the NEET challenges and empowered representatives from ministries, public employment services, as well as employers’ and workers’ representatives, with tools and policies aimed at improving employment outcomes and education access for young people. It also fostered peer-learning and the exchange of best practices across the region.

The training programme, developed by the ITC ILO, covered multiple facets of Youth NEET engagement, including understanding the underlying factors and the different stages of youth transitioning into NEET status, as well as effective support methods. The programme addressed a wide range of topics, including early intervention strategies, prevention through tracking and early warning systems, inclusive outreach via awareness-raising and targeted communication, mapping employment services, and tailored support mechanisms.

Participants learned from successful approaches used in other regions, including under the European Youth Guarantee, and explored existing tools for youth NEET engagement, such as profiling tools for individualized action plans, guidance and mentoring, employment incentives, start-up support, post-placement follow-up, and feedback mechanisms.

The in-person seminar in Tunis allowed participants to reflect on contextualized action plans focused on national programs, employment policies, and areas where technical support is needed.

This regional seminar was part of the ILO’s YNEET in the Southern Neighbourhood project, funded by the European Union, which aims to enhance public policies, practices, and services for NEETs in the region. The action plans designed during the seminar will help shape the support provided by the EU-funded ILO project moving forward.