What changed

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT - SUMMARY OF FACTS AND FINDINGS

P10_TA(2026)0287

This implementation report has a clear ambition: to make active support for youth employment a political priority at the heart of the EU agenda and national policies. The Youth Guarantee represents a strong political commitment, a promise to offer every young person under the age of 30 a good quality employment, continued education, apprenticeship or traineeship opportunity within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving education. This commitment, made in 2013 and renewed in 2020, underpins the European Union’s credibility towards its young people.

Implementation of the Council Recommendation on a Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee

The results are tangible. Although these figures cannot be attributed solely to the implementation of the Youth Guarantee, youth unemployment in the EU has fallen by almost ten percentage points in a decade. More than 60 million young people have benefited from Youth Guarantee schemes, and the strengthening of this instrument has led to institutional reforms in Member States. The appeal of this policy also extends beyond our borders, with Youth Guarantee schemes already being developed in neighbouring countries, particularly in the Western Balkans. However, these achievements should not overshadow the fact that youth unemployment remains nearly three times higher than that of the population as a whole, and the downward trend has stagnated over the past three years. The situation remains urgent for some.

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

The number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) remains alarming in several Member States. This phenomenon affects women, Roma, young persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups more severely. It highlights the inadequacy of a one-size-fits-all approach and underlines the need for targeted, territorialised and inclusive implementation of the Youth Guarantee. Getting these young people into work is not only a social imperative, but also a strategic response to the labour and skills shortages that are holding back our economies.

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In order to act effectively, it is necessary to have a precise understanding of the target groups. The lack of detailed data on NEET profiles is a major obstacle. In-depth mapping of NEET subgroups and their characteristics is essential in order to develop appropriate responses. The young people concerned must also be involved in the design of the measures intended for them. No inclusion policy can succeed without the active participation of its beneficiaries.

European Parliament resolution of 15 September 2026 on the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 30 October 2020 on A Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee and replacing the Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee (2025/2184(INI))

The evaluation of the implementation of the reinforced Youth Guarantee highlights an undeniable political ambition and strong national ownership, but also the limitations encountered in its operationalisation. There is no single model, but a plurality of models, reflecting the institutional traditions and labour market realities of Member States. Some have integrated the Youth Guarantee into their existing systems, while others have created dedicated models. Some have centralised governance at national level, while others have devolved it to local levels. Some favour an “employment first” approach, while others focus on training.

This diversity is a valuable asset. However, it cannot justify excessive performance gaps in the implementation of the Youth Guarantee. Direct monitoring indicators at EU level show a contrasting reality. Too many young people do not receive an offer within four months, and too few of them find sustainable employment. Follow-up indicators, meanwhile, are seriously lacking in terms of the quantity and quality of the data collected. The administrative or legal inability of certain services to share information and monitor progress is a structural obstacle that must be overcome. Improving monitoring and evaluation systems in Member States must become a political priority.

Even more worryingly, the majority of NEETs, particularly those furthest from the labour market, remain outside the Youth Guarantee schemes. Young people who are inactive, living in rural or marginalised areas, and not registered with public employment services, fall outside of the institutional radar. The authorities responsible for implementation often lack the human and financial resources to reach out to these groups. As a result, those who need support the most are precisely those who receive the least. This situation is politically unacceptable. There is an urgent need to strengthen the administrative and human resources specialised in supporting youth employment commensurate with the challenges to face.

Awareness is generally low. In several Member States, the Youth Guarantee is embedded into broader schemes targeting more generally young people or the employment of the whole population, to the point where it becomes invisible. Some beneficiaries are not even aware that they are participating in a Youth Guarantee scheme. Yet a policy that is neither identified nor understood loses its effectiveness and legitimacy.

Prevention must become a central pillar. The Youth Guarantee cannot function as an isolated policy that only intervenes at the end of the chain. Combating school dropout, supporting pupils in difficulty and providing post-placement support are essential to avoid repeated returns to NEET status. Sustainable inclusion requires a continuous, integrated and consistent approach.

The preparatory phase is equally crucial. Many vulnerable young people are not immediately ready to enter the labour market. They need individualised guidance, psychosocial support and basic skills training. This support must address the root causes of social exclusion before these NEETs can be reintegrated. The active inclusion of the most marginalised young people must become the top priority of the reinforced Youth Guarantee.

In this context, the validation of skills acquired in informal or non-formal settings is a strategic lever. Many young people have skills developed in their family, community or social settings, but these are not officially recognised. Validating these skills can remove barriers to employment and promote local talent.

Preparation also concerns institutions. Public employment services and partner organisations often lack qualified staff to deal with the most complex situations. This brings us to the extension of the Youth Guarantee to 25–29-year-olds, which is politically relevant because transitions to employment are longer and more unstable. But without additional resources, this expansion dilutes efforts and does not provide adequate support for this new age group. A truly individualised approach requires increased resources. Otherwise, the standardised generalisation of services will ultimately cost more because of its limited effectiveness in reducing inequalities and integrating NEETs in the long term.

A careful consideration on the rebalancing of the offers proposed must be conducted. While the priority given to employment is understandable given the financial urgency faced by young people, subsidised jobs do not always guarantee long-term integration. The frequent return to precariousness is clear evidence. Choosing the most suitable offer for each individual profile, or a combination of education, apprenticeships, internships and employment, could deliver more robust and sustainable results.

Volunteering opportunities deserve to be included as a new category of Youth Guarantee scheme offers. For some young people, volunteering can provide a flexible framework for developing skills, rebuilding social ties and preparing for employment. However, these new options must be accompanied by additional funding so as not to undermine existing schemes.

The question of the quality of offers remains central. Aligning the reinforced Youth Guarantee with European quality frameworks and the European Pillar of Social Rights has not been enough to make a real difference for beneficiaries. An Open Method of Coordination at EU level could enable a structured exchange of good practices, as well as harmonisation of evaluation criteria and more rigorous monitoring of the quality of placements.

The success of the Youth Guarantee also relies on strong partnerships between ministries, public employment services, education services, training providers, social partners, national youth councils, NGOs and local authorities. A collaborative approach enables the creation of an integrated support network and helps to rebuild trust with young people who are furthest from the labour market.

Synergies must also be strengthened with the European Child Guarantee in order to ensure continuity of support for the 15-18 age group and to prevent vulnerabilities from becoming entrenched. A more comprehensive approach with other EU inclusion strategies, such as the EU Roma Strategic Framework or the EU Union of Equality Strategies, would strengthen action in favour of young people regardless of their situation.

No political ambition can be realised without adequate financial resources. The direct link with the ESF+ and the dedicated allocation of 12.5% in the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework have enabled significant progress. However, difficulties in absorbing funds in some Member States and the removal of earmarked funding in the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 pose a real risk to the sustainability and effectiveness of Youth Guarantee funding.

Given the still uneven implementation results and persistent disparities between Member States, a political push to support young people’s transition to the labour market is needed. Where youth unemployment and NEET rates exceed the EU average, the Commission must adopt binding decisions. The aim is not to penalise the Member States in question, but to require clear improvement plans for strengthening administrative capacity, improving coverage of target groups, particularly those that are hardest to reach, developing ambitious awareness-raising strategies, improving the quality of offers and establishing reliable data collection systems. The ultimate goal is to improve upward social convergence in the European Union and deliver practical solutions for our young people.

The Youth Guarantee must become what it aspires to be: a credible promise of inclusion, autonomy and dignity for all young people.

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

on the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 30 October 2020 on A Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee and replacing the Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee

(2025/2184(INI))

The European Parliament,

I. whereas the Council Recommendation of 16 June 2022 on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability recognises micro-credentials as a key tool for flexible, inclusive and targeted learning pathways, enabling individuals to acquire, update and certify their skills in a modular way, particularly in response to labour market needs and the green and digital transitions;

✦ Formal Replaces the decimal point with a comma in the figure 3,3 percentage points.

J. whereas nearly one in four young people in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024, a rate which is 3.33,3 percentage points higher than that of the total EU population; whereas structural inequalities, such as material deprivation and persistent social disadvantage, undermine young people’s ability to access the labour market and live independently; whereas the RYG should be recognised not only as a social priority, but also as a strategic investment in young people and the EU’s human capital, thereby strengthening social cohesion, competitiveness and long-term economic resilience as well as reducing poverty and social exclusion;

K. whereas the labour market integration of NEETs has become increasingly complex, driven by factors such as the increase in non-standard forms of employment, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation, and the cost of living crisis, including rising housing costs; whereas these developments create structural barriers to sustainable employment and labour market integration, require more flexibility and mobility from young people and exacerbate inequalities that leave vulnerable NEETs behind; whereas the increasing barriers to labour market integration for young people undermine social cohesion and institutional trust; whereas the implementation of the RYG must be reformed and strengthened to effectively respond to these challenges and prioritise NEETs furthest from the labour market;

O. whereas it is difficult to establish a direct causal link between the implementation of the RYG and the observed results in terms of reduction in the NEET rate and youth unemployment, particularly where RYG schemes are embedded in broader national policies; whereas this highlights the strong need for focus to be placed on tangible outcomes for young people, improved alignment with national labour market needs and closer synergies with EU programmes in the implementation of the RYG;

✦ Formal Replaces decimal points with commas in the figures 35,2 %, 6,5 %, 2,5 % and 1,6 %.

P. whereas a clear majority of Member States rely on an employment-first strategy, while others prioritise a training-focused approach; whereas in 2024, 35.235,2 % of positive and timely exits from the YG preparatory phase led to employment, 6.56,5 % to education, 2.52,5 % to a traineeship and 1.61,6 % to an apprenticeship; whereas education and training play a dual role in equipping young people with relevant skills and qualifications while, at the same time, encouraging personal development, autonomy, creativity, civic engagement and the capacity to actively participate in society; whereas these dimensions are mutually reinforcing and contribute to sustainable labour market integration, social cohesion and democratic participation;

✦ Formal Replaces decimal points with commas in the figures 90,5 % and 69,7 %.

Q. whereas European data shows that initial VET pathways that feature a strong work-based learning component are the most effective instrument for preventing people from ending up in NEET situations, inasmuch as young people who complete work-based learning pathways of at least seven months boast employment rates of up to 90.590,5 %, as opposed to 69.769,7 % for those who do not have access to these pathways; whereas dual VET systems use a structured alternation between school and work to generate marketable skills and significantly reduce the gap between job demand and supply; whereas the Member States that have robust dual VET systems have the lowest youth unemployment rates in the EU;

R. whereas active citizenship, civic education, volunteering and participatory initiatives empower young people to become well-informed, responsible and engaged members of society, and can complement employment and training measures by supporting the development of transversal competences, as well as a sense of agency, solidarity and belonging;

1. Welcomes the strong performance of labour markets in the EU and the historically low unemployment rates; regrets, however, that this trend is not having a greater impact on young people, whose unemployment rate across the EU hovers at around 15 %, still almost three times higher than the rate for the general population, and who are not seeing improvements in the quality of their employment; notes that the unemployment situation among certain groups of young people is particularly worrying and that the RYG has the potential to reduce youth unemployment and act as a preventive measure;

✦ Formal Replaces the decimal point with a comma in the figure 16,1 %.

2. Welcomes the downward trend in the rate of NEETs in the EU since the introduction of the YG, which fell from 16.116,1 % in 2013 to 11 % in 2025; notes, however, a disparity between Member States, with some having already achieved the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan target of decreasing the NEET rate to 9 % by 2030, while others still have alarmingly high numbers of NEETs;

✦ Formal Replaces the decimal point with a comma in the figure 45,1 %.

3. Emphasises that direct monitoring indicators for the YG suggest significant and persistent challenges in the bringing into operation and delivery of YG schemes; highlights, in particular, that in 2024 more than half of participants (54 %) remained in the preparatory phase for more than four months, that positive and timely exits from the preparatory phase represented less than half of cases (45.1(45,1 %) and that the coverage rate stood at less than 50 % of the NEET population in many Member States; deplores the fact that these figures indicate that YG schemes are not meeting their core objectives in terms of outreach, timeliness and effectiveness;

✦ Formal Replaces decimal points with commas in the figures 58,3 %, 53,1 % and 30,3 %.

4. Stresses that follow-up indicators are undermined by a lack of data and methodological weaknesses in several Member States, notably for the 25-29 age group, and the high share of unknown outcomes, which prevent a comprehensive assessment of the sustainability of RYG schemes by type of offers and their long-term effects, as well as comparisons between Member States based on disaggregated data such as by gender, age, disability, location and socio-economic status; notes that some Member States group together education and training data into one category, and employment and apprenticeship data into another; highlights in this context that the available data indicates that a majority of young people were in a positive situation six months after leaving RYG schemes in 2024 (58.3(58,3 %), but that this proportion decreased after 12 (53.1(53,1 %) and 18 months (30.3(30,3 %);

5. Emphasises that the implementation of YG schemes is hindered by persisting long-term challenges, such as outreach to and support for the hard-to-reach NEETs, the low coverage rate of these schemes, the low quality of offers, the limited capacity and coordinating role of RYG providers, in particular PES, and incomplete monitoring frameworks; takes note of the latest EMCO reviews and the emphasis placed on the persistent difficulties in overcoming structural and institutional barriers that prevent the sustainable labour market integration of young people, in reaching inactive and vulnerable NEETs, in mobilising national budgets to ensure the sustainability of schemes, and in monitoring and collecting data;

9. Emphasises the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people and the important stabilising role played by the YG in preventing a new youth unemployment crisis in this context; considers that, with the effects of this period now behind us, the RYG should have as its new objective the reduction of unemployment and inactivity among the hardest-to-reach young people;

✦ Formal Replaces the decimal point with a comma in the figure 12,5 %.

10. Highlights the generally positive feedback from managing authorities on the merger of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) financial instrument into the ESF+; emphasises that this has led to an obligation to allocate 12.512,5 % of the ESF+ budget to actions and reforms promoting youth employment, VET and the transition from school to work for Member States with a NEET rate above the EU average; deplores the fact that this earmarking, a legacy of the YEI, is not included in the Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2034 MFF;

11. Highlights that the absence of specific earmarking for youth employment in the next MFF risks undermining the results achieved and leading to inadequate funding, as highlighted by the European Court of Auditors prior to its introduction; highlights the absence of requirements for Member States to report national funding for measures implementing the RYG, which limits EU-wide comparability and evaluation; recognises that, in a challenging budgetary context, RYG funding should prioritise the labour market integration of vulnerable and inactive NEETs;

12. Stresses that young people face multidimensional challenges that cannot be addressed solely through employment-activation measures and that the sustainable labour market integration of NEETs requires a holistic approach; highlights that the YG operates within a broader framework of EU and national policies and that achieving its core objectives depends on enabling policies and preventive measures in other areas such as social protection, social inclusion, housing, in-work poverty, family, care and childcare, transport, mental health and anti-discrimination; recognises, in particular, the housing crisis and the disproportionate impact it has on young people;

✦ Adds a paragraph recalling a 2019 commitment on access to basic rights, the 2021 European Child Guarantee and a call for a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion in the next multiannual financial framework.

13 Recalls Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s commitment in 2019 to ensuring that every child in the EU at risk of poverty or social exclusion has access to the most basic of rights like healthcare and education, which was followed by the adoption of a Council Recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee in 2021; stresses that the objectives of the European Child Guarantee cannot be achieved without an ambitious dedicated budget at both EU and national level; reiterates in this context its call for a substantial dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion for the European Child Guarantee; underlines the urgent need for this dedicated budget to be allocated in the next multiannual financial framework in order to respond to the growing challenge of child poverty and social exclusion;

14. Notes that the focus placed on the YG in the European Semester has diminished in recent years, particularly with regard to the country-specific recommendations, which have not mentioned the instrument since the years when the recommendations were published and there was political momentum surrounding them; highlights, given the labour market situation in some Member States, that a discrepancy is apparent between these situations and the formulation of country-specific recommendations; regrets the decision taken in the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure to downgrade the youth unemployment rate to an auxiliary indicator, even though this remains a worrying problem in many Member States;

15. Welcomes the establishment of validation systems for non-formal and informal learning in most Member States; regrets, nevertheless, that the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 remains uneven, especially in terms of the fragmentation of qualification frameworks, complex validation procedures, insufficient guidance and a lack of dedicated financial and human resources;

✦ Drops the paragraph on underemployed individuals and the call for the Youth Strategy to offer them full-time employment.

15. Recognises individuals who are underemployed and the long-term implications this can have on their earning potential and eventual pension outcomes; calls, in this regard, for the Youth Strategy to work towards ensuring that underemployed young people are offered full-time employment wherever possible;

16. Welcomes the 2021 Western Balkans Declaration and the adoption by these countries of national youth guarantee strategies, demonstrating the attractiveness of this instrument; stresses that these efforts are important in promoting the EU accession process, but recognises difficulties similar to those faced by Member States in terms of reaching vulnerable groups, the capacity of PES and the quality of offers; stresses the important role of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in supporting the implementation of the YG in the Western Balkans;

53. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take coordinated action to close persistent gaps in functional numeracy, literacy and digital skills, which hinder young people’s access to quality education, training and employment; calls for the upskilling of low-skilled NEETs with tailored, flexible and labour-market relevant offers, such as online and in-person courses or a modular learning format on STEM, digital skills and AI, languages, basic skills and entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, cultural education and creative skills, certified by micro-credentials; stresses that micro-credentials must comply with verifiable quality standards, provide for explicit employer recognition mechanisms and be integrated into national skills identification, validation and certification systems;

✦ Wording Replaces 'families of all kinds' with 'families' in the call for a life cycle approach and synergy between the RYG and the Child Guarantee.

54. Calls for a life cycle approach and greater synergy between the RYG and the Child Guarantee instruments at both EU and national level, in particular to provide continuous support to children and young people in need, especially from the ages of 15 to 18, and to support all children, parents, families and carers, which should lead to stronger families of all kinds;families; stresses that this integrated approach must aim to prevent the ‘care cliff’ phenomenon, whereby young people leaving care experience a sudden loss of housing and social, educational and employment support upon reaching adulthood; emphasises the potential for synergies between the YG and other programmes, such as ALMA, Erasmus+, the Centres of Vocational Excellence, the Digital Europe Programme, AgoraEU, European Employment Services and the EU Roma strategic framework, to provide integrated pathways for young people and support learning mobility across the EU, including through mobility grants;

✦ Wording Replaces the call for a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion with a call for a substantial dedicated budget for the European Child Guarantee.

55. Reiterates the need to urgently increase the funding of the European Child Guarantee, which should have a dedicated budget ofbenefit atfrom leasta EURsubstantial 20dedicated billion;budget; insists that this dedicated budget be anchored in the next MFF and implemented through a stand-alone and separate ESF, with an obligation on all Member States to earmark at least 5 % of their national ESF allocation to tackling child poverty and to the implementation of the Child Guarantee;

56. Underlines the importance of improving the collection and availability of disaggregated and reliable data on children in care and those approaching care-leaving age, in order to strengthen targeted policies, including the RYG; calls on the Member States and PES to extend outreach measures, support services and cooperation to all care settings and to establish a dedicated pathway for care leavers in need as part of the implementation of the RYG, including early identification, coordinated case management between social services and PES services, and the continuity of access to employment support, social protection, housing support and other services required to guarantee equal access and a smooth transition to education, training and future employment opportunities;

71. Emphasises the corporate social responsibility of companies, which should include targeted measures for NEETs, in particular vulnerable NEETs, and partnerships with education and training providers to introduce young people to a variety of career opportunities; stresses the need to assist SMEs, which require more information and support in order to participate in RYG schemes; welcomes the programmes developed under the RYG schemes in certain Member States aimed at developing youth entrepreneurship and incentives for start-ups; calls on the Commission and the Member States to support young people in becoming self-employed or running micro-businesses by providing enhanced and specialised support in developing a viable business; calls on the Member States to develop support under the RYG for heritage-related economic activities, including traditional crafts, particularly in rural and depopulated areas;

✦ Drops equal treatment in working conditions including pay and social protection from the requirements for traineeship offers under the RYG.

72. Calls on the Member States to ensure that traineeship offers under the RYG guarantee equal treatment in working conditions, including pay and social protection, and are accessible and adapted to the individual needs of NEETs, including those in vulnerable situations facing additional barriers such as disability, health conditions or care responsibilities; stresses the need to ensure that no traineeship under the RYG contributes to social dumping, wage dumping or in-work poverty among young people, and that all offers are designed and implemented to ensure accessibility and inclusivity;

73. Encourages the Member States to introduce ‘fiscal completion bonuses’ for young people who successfully complete apprenticeships, traineeships or certified VET programmes, as an incentive to reduce dropout rates and promote qualification attainment;

✦ Changes the call for gradual reintegration pathways for young people with fewer opportunities into an encouragement of additional pathways for NEETs, with quality standards and follow-up pathways.

74. Calls forEncourages the development of additional gradual reintegration pathways for young peopleNEETs with fewer opportunities as explicit intermediate outcomes within the RYG,opportunities, to help them acquire soft skills, work habits, confidence and recognised learning outcomes beforeand transitioningto act as a bridge into formal education, training or quality employment; stresses the need for theunderlines inclusionthat inpathways such pathways ofas structured volunteering, civic engagement and participation opportunities, youth work, sports, social enterprises and community placements,placements can act as valuable stepping stones, provided that they are tailored to individual needsneeds, include robust quality standards and are linked to clear follow-up pathways;

✦ Changes the promotion of volunteering within RYG schemes into volunteering for RYG beneficiaries, adds a European quality framework, and adds avoiding the replacement of quality jobs and traineeships with unpaid volunteering.

75. Recommends the promotion of volunteering opportunities withinfor RYG schemesbeneficiaries and the creation of a European quality framework for volunteering; emphasises that volunteering has the potential to improve the skills and employability of NEETs and to accommodate vulnerable young people in a supportive and solidarity-focused environment; considers that the integrationpromotion of volunteering opportunities intofor RYG schemes couldbeneficiaries beshould achievedoccur byas creatingpart synergiesof withthe Erasmus+ programme and its European Solidarity Corps volunteering strand and by ensuring that young people engaged with, or seeking to engage with, RYG schemes areshould also be made aware of available quality volunteering opportunities funded under different schemes; takes the view that RYG providers from thecivil volunteeringsociety sectororganisations should be supported by adequate resources for the delivery of quality volunteering opportunities and other RYG offers, ensuring that existing funds for employment and training opportunities are not reallocated;reallocated and avoiding the replacement of potential quality jobs and traineeships with unpaid volunteering;

76. Encourages the Commission and the Member States to improve the recognition and validation of skills and competences acquired through youth work, including through the development and clarification of qualifications and professional standards where appropriate; believes that such a process should include consultation with relevant youth work stakeholders and be in line with the European youth work agenda;

85. Calls on the Commission to introduce a quality framework for the RYG with robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, in line with the Council Recommendation on A Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee; stresses that quality criteria must ensure that all offers are aligned with the relevant principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, provide genuine learning and training opportunities that improve employability and facilitate the transition to the labour market, and include transparent recruitment, recognition and certification of acquired skills, and accessible complaints mechanisms; calls for all employment offers to ensure decent working conditions, fair remuneration, access to social protection, training, career guidance, and reasonable probation periods;

✦ Formal Replaces the decimal point with a comma in the figure 12,5 %.

86. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to allocate adequate funding for the RYG in the next MFF, in particular by at least maintaining the existing 12.512,5 % earmarking of EU funds within a future stand-alone and separate ESF to broaden employment, education and training opportunities for young people under the age of 30 across the EU and to improve their socio-economic status; stresses that this EU funding should be seen as an investment in people and should be transparent, primarily support the development of innovative and effective measures, and scale up, without replacing, pre-existing national funds; calls for the introduction of budget tracking on expenditure related to the RYG at EU level, accompanied by a national RYG marker, which should provide a clear breakdown of expenditure related to the RYG; calls on the Member States, and in particular those that have not reached the 2030 NEET rate reduction target, to supplement EU funds for the RYG with national funds in accordance with their aggregate indicators;

87. Calls on the Member States to allocate dedicated resources to improving the administrative capacity of RYG providers, especially PES, through the provision of training and a toolkit on the absorption of funds; takes the view that this improvement of capacity should also benefit the social partners, youth workers and NGOs involved in RYG implementation; calls on the Commission to allow small-scale funding within the call for projects of existing programmes for stakeholders working with NEETs at local level, in order to expand the use and reach of EU funds across all territories;