YourJob
Die Stipendiatin des Programms erhielt den Umweltpreis für ihr Yoga-Studio in Zrenjanin, Serbien, das durch das Programm YourJob finanziert wurde. © Caritas Srbije
Regional programme for young people in the Western Balkans
The YourJob project has been completed – it ran from 2022 to 2025.
Youth and long-term unemployment are a major issue, particularly in the Western Balkan countries, where they reach levels unmatched anywhere else in Europe. Although there have been improvements since 2014, youth unemployment is still twice as high as the EU average.
The youth unemployment rate in the Western Balkan states ranges from 24% to around 55% (e.g., in Kosovo), and in some rural areas, youth unemployment even reaches 100%. In Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, highly qualified young people are the most affected by unemployment, whereas in Kosovo it is those with lower qualifications. One of the main causes of high youth unemployment in the Western Balkan countries is considered to be the education system, which is unable to keep pace with the demands of the labor market.
The precarious situation of young people is also reflected in the NEET rate (the proportion of young people aged 15–24 who are neither employed nor in education or training). Despite a declining trend, the NEET rate in the Western Balkan countries was still an average of 22.3% in 2017 (Austria: 6.5%).
This situation is associated with the risk of poverty and social exclusion. Our Caritas colleagues in the affected countries also report that it has reached a point where society no longer has expectations of its youth. Hoping for a better life abroad, many young people are therefore turning their backs on their home countries and families.
When such critical situations arise, they must be addressed, as young people must not be left behind under any circumstances. To counteract these challenges, Caritas Austria, together with Caritas organizations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia, has developed a regional labor market integration project for young people.
The programme goals
YourJob stands for “Youth Overcoming Unemployment Regionally through Job Opportunities on the Balkans” and aims to improve the employability of young people and create concrete job opportunities for youth and young adults in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia. The program’s objective is to support young people in developing and realizing their skills and abilities, and to accompany them in the transition from school to working life.
- Young people are a valuable resource. They are rich in ideas, knowledge, and potential on which the future of the Western Balkan countries should be built.
- Young people need guidance to find their ideal profession. Individual counseling is essential to identify their interests and strengths for a successful career.
- Young people need work experience. Internships and practice-oriented training are crucial for acquiring the skills required to enter the labor market.
- Young people need opportunities close to home: access to education, practical training, and employment must be improved, including for those living in remote rural areas.
YourJob Project Visit Albania
Visit by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) in Tirana, Albania, to the flower shop opened by a program scholarship recipient.
From Teacher to Professional Hairdresser
Thanks to the program, a six-month hairdressing course was organized for the beneficiary, enabling him to realize his dream.
YourJob Vocational Training – Cook
With the support of Caritas Kosovo as part of the “YourJob” program, Eris was given the opportunity to complete vocational training as a cook at the Vocational Training Center in Ferizaj.
YourJob Success Story Serbia
A program scholarship recipient received the Environmental Award for her yoga studio in Zrenjanin, Serbia, which was financed through the YourJob program.
YourJob Project Visit Albania
Visit by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) in Tirana, Albania, to the flower shop opened by a program scholarship recipient.
From Teacher to Professional Hairdresser
Thanks to the program, a six-month hairdressing course was organized for the beneficiary, enabling him to realize his dream.
YourJob Vocational Training – Cook
With the support of Caritas Kosovo as part of the “YourJob” program, Eris was given the opportunity to complete vocational training as a cook at the Vocational Training Center in Ferizaj.
YourJob Success Story Serbia
A program scholarship recipient received the Environmental Award for her yoga studio in Zrenjanin, Serbia, which was financed through the YourJob program.
How Caritas helps
We support young adults and adolescents both during their time in school and beyond. This includes targeted career guidance, (social work–based) support, case management, further training, professional internships, and much more. Innovative solutions tailored to each individual young person enable high-quality and therefore sustainable development of future perspectives and improve career opportunities. Core elements such as internships and support for youth and social entrepreneurship create pathways to the labor market that currently do not exist in these countries.
In addition, the transnational cooperation between Caritas organizations in the countries mentioned generates significant added value: joint advocacy messages and lobbying efforts, as well as the development of cross-regional strategies, enable sustainable governmental cooperation and provide long-term solutions.
Young people in the region rarely have the opportunity to shape their own future according to their interests and talents. Many are often not even aware of the opportunities available to them or the fields they might be interested in. Caritas supports young adults in developing their own perspectives by giving them the chance to explore different career paths and discover their interests. The involvement of the family can also be a decisive factor in success or failure. It is important to assess whether the young person is supported at home in their job search or whether the family places obstacles in their way. Often, it is necessary to explain the benefits of education to parents in order to open up further opportunities for young people. Caritas accompanies young people in their familiar environment and provides not only career guidance but also social work support. Through counseling, assessment of interests, and training, Caritas helps young people on the ground to develop their own perspectives.
As part of career guidance, it is assessed which areas of interest exist and which skills may still need to be learned or improved in order to pursue a profession. During the counseling process, it may become apparent that mathematics skills need refreshing, a computer course could be beneficial, or simply that a monthly bus ticket is required to get to a training center or workplace. To provide young people with the opportunity to take up a suitable profession in their region, Caritas also offers appropriate courses and training programs. In this way, young people are supported in building a self-determined future.
The biggest challenge for unemployed young people in the region is usually the lack of work experience. To give young adults the opportunity to apply what they have learned in practice and thereby improve their chances of finding a job, Caritas works with local companies on the ground. Young people are given the opportunity to gain insight into everyday business operations and put their knowledge into practice, allowing them to gain valuable experience. With some skill and motivation, an internship can even lead to employment within the host company.
Caritas’ holistic approach—ranging from social work support and the identification of individual interests to opportunities for training and/or professional practice, combined with transnational exchange—enables sustainable, solution-oriented development in line with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals): SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Youth entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship are approaches with great potential in emerging economies and represent a core element of the program. In this context, social needs are prioritized over the (financial) profit of individuals. Caritas supports motivated and ambitious young people by investing in their capacities and creativity.
For example, a young woman may recognize that there is no childcare available in her village, preventing young mothers from working. This could create an opportunity for a social enterprise that also attracts interest from local authorities and women from more affluent families. Or a young man may notice that there is no option for a healthy snack for students and teachers outside of school—setting up a small kiosk could provide him with an income while also helping children to learn better.
Caritas experts in the field of social enterprises can support the realization of such ideas. Connecting young people with networks of experienced entrepreneurs, providing access to funding opportunities, and facilitating links with key local decision-makers are essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of these small businesses.
In this way, young people are empowered to shape their own lives and achieve social goals despite social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Achievements to Date
Since the project launch in April 2019, very strong results have already been achieved within the first two years (despite the global COVID-19 pandemic)—and the numbers continue to grow every day.
- More than 5,600 young people have received information and counseling services
- More than 3,500 individuals have received direct career guidance and participated in job search training sessions
- More than 2,000 individuals have taken part in short-term training programs
- Over 360 individuals have completed internships, gaining valuable initial work experience
- 165 individuals have participated in so-called boot camps and gained their first entrepreneurial experience
- 276 individuals have already found employment
- More than 320 companies have been engaged to cooperate with YourJob and recognize the potential of young people
- More than 5% of beneficiaries are persons with disabilities
- More than 8% of beneficiaries belong to minority groups
- More than 65% of all beneficiaries are women
Training in Hairdressing
As part of the YourJob II program, Nemanja is gaining practical work experience in the hairdressing profession.
Hands-on Training in the Salon
As part of the YourJob II program, young adults receive practice-oriented training in a salon environment. Teamwork, professional guidance, and real working conditions support a successful entry into the labor market.
From Teacher to Professional Hairdresser
Thanks to the program, a six-month hairdressing course was organized for the beneficiary, enabling him to realize his dream.
Training in Hairdressing
As part of the YourJob II program, Nemanja is gaining practical work experience in the hairdressing profession.
Hands-on Training in the Salon
As part of the YourJob II program, young adults receive practice-oriented training in a salon environment. Teamwork, professional guidance, and real working conditions support a successful entry into the labor market.
From Teacher to Professional Hairdresser
Thanks to the program, a six-month hairdressing course was organized for the beneficiary, enabling him to realize his dream.
YourJob on Social Media
Contact
Birgit Ertl-Köstler
Head of Competence Center Children & Youth - International
Our partners
Funding supporters
