The Policy and Service Creation – Necessary Shifts for Working With NEETs From the Perspective of Young People and Professionals

https://doi.org/10.46841/RCV.2025.03.01

Authors

Keywords:

Youth Guarantee, NEETs perceived needs, policy creation, inclusive work principles, effectiveness of interventions

Abstract

The European Commission's Youth Guarantee initiative has brought renewed attention to the increasingly complex support needs of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), particularly as they navigate key transitional phases in their lives. This study contributes to the understanding and evaluation of policies aimed at this demographic, as well as shifts in the broader policy landscape intended to enhance the effectiveness of interventions and ensure that support aligns more closely with young people’s perceived needs. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with youth in NEET situations and professionals working with them in Estonia, the study underscores the necessity of adopting more community-based and participatory approaches to support interventions.

Incorporating more inclusive, empowering, and confidence-building principles−such as the need for a minimal information flow requirement, situation-based communication, meaning-based change management, co-creation and reciprocal partnership, one-shop change management, a need-based rebalancing, and long-term legitimate expectation can play a crucial role in preventing the marginalization and social exclusion of target groups. These principles are essential for improving access to information, education, support services, and labour market opportunities. Realizing such an approach requires national-level strategic agreements that shift the focus of Member States from isolated actions to comprehensive implementation strategies, paving the way for the co-creation of an integrated, cross-sectoral support ecosystem. The article concludes with practical policy recommendations that are scalable at the European level.

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Author Biographies

Heidi Paabort, University of Tartu

Youth Employment and Youth Guarantee adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Address: 1 Suur-Ameerika, Tallinn 10122 Estonia.
Doctoral student, Institute of Social Studies, University of Tartu
Address: 36 Lossi, Tartu 51003 Estonia.
Email: heidi.paabort@mkm.ee

Mai Beilmann, University of Tartu

Associate Professor of Empirical Sociology, Institute of Social Studies, University of Tartu
Address: 36 Lossi, Tartu 51003 Estonia.
Email: mai.beilmann@ut.ee

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Published

30.09.2025

How to Cite

Paabort, H., & Beilmann, M. (2025). The Policy and Service Creation – Necessary Shifts for Working With NEETs From the Perspective of Young People and Professionals. Calitatea Vieții, 36(3), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.46841/RCV.2025.03.01

Issue

Section

Studies