Sittings · Document

DRAFT OPINION (2025/2184(INI)) 2026-03-10

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

Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Hristo Petrov

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Culture and Education submits the following to the Committee on Culture and Education, as the committee responsible:

Amendment 1

Motion for a resolution

Citation 3 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/888 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the European Solidarity Corps Programme and repealing Regulations (EU) 2018/1475 and (EU) No 375/20141a, __________________ 1a OJ L 202, 8.6.2021, p. 32, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/888/oj.

Or. en

Amendment 2

Motion for a resolution

Citation 3 b (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/817 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing Erasmus+: the Union Programme for education and training, youth and sport and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1288/20131a (Erasmus+), __________________ 1a OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/817/oj.

Or. en

Amendment 3

Motion for a resolution

Citation 3 c (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to the Commission proposal of 16 July 2025 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028-2034, and repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/817 and (EU) 2021/888 (COM(2025)0549), __________________

Or. en

Amendment 4

Motion for a resolution

Citation 3 d (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to Decision (EU) 2021/2316 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 2021 on a European Year of Youth (2022) 1a, __________________ 1a OJ L 462, 28.12.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/2316/oj.

Or. en

Amendment 5

Motion for a resolution

Citation 3 e (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to Decision (EU) 2023/936 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on a European Year of Skills1a, __________________ 1a OJ L 125, 11.5.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/936/oj.

Or. en

Amendment 6

Motion for a resolution

Citation 5 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to the Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council of 20 November 2020 on the Framework for establishing a European Youth Work Agenda1a and its implementation through the so-called Bonn Process, __________________ 1a OJ C 415, 1.12.2020, p. 1.

Or. en

Amendment 7

Motion for a resolution

Citation 11 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to the Commission staff working document of 24 March 2025 entitled ‘Situation of young people in the European Union’ (SWD(2025)0072) , __________________

Or. en

Amendment 8

Motion for a resolution

Citation 11 b (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to the Commission communication of 5 March 2025 on the Action Plan on Basic Skills (COM(2025)0088),

Or. en

Amendment 9

Motion for a resolution

Citation 16 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to the Council Recommendation of 28 November 2022 on Pathways to School Success and replacing the Council Recommendation of 28 June 2011 on policies to reduce early school leaving1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 469, 9.12.2022, p. 1.

Or. en

Amendment 10

Motion for a resolution

Citation 16 b (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to the Council conclusions of 23 November 2023 on the contribution of education and training to strengthening common European values and democratic citizenship, __________________

Or. en

Amendment 11

Motion for a resolution

Citation 17 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training’s (CEDEFOP) article of 19 March 2025 entitled ‘Breaking barriers for young women not in employment, education, or training’,

Or. en

Amendment 12

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to its resolution of 10 February 2021 on the impact of COVID-19 on youth and on sport1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 465, 17.11.2021, p. 82.

Or. en

Amendment 13

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 b (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to its resolution of 6 April 2022 on the implementation of citizenship education actions1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 434, 15.11.2022, p. 31.

Or. en

Amendment 14

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 c (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to its resolution of 19 May 2022 on establishing the European Education Area by 2025 – micro-credentials, individual learning accounts and learning for a sustainable environment1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 479, 16.12.2022, p. 65.

Or. en

Amendment 15

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 d (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to its resolution of 13 September 2022 on the impact of COVID-19 closures of educational, cultural, youth and sports activities on children and young people in the EU1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 125, 5.4.2023, p. 44.

Or. en

Amendment 16

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 e (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to its resolution of 24 November 2022 on the European Year of Youth 2022 legacy1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 167, 11.5.2023, p. 83.

Or. en

Amendment 17

null

Or. en

Amendment 18

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 f (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	– having regard to its resolution of 17 February 2022 on empowering European youth: post-pandemic employment and social recovery1a, _________________ 1a OJ C 342, 6.9.2022, p. 265.

Or. en

Amendment 19

Motion for a resolution

Recital B a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Ba. whereas the reinforced Youth Guarantee represents a key EU instrument to help young people move into employment, continued education, apprenticeships or traineeships, and its effectiveness depends on coherence between policies at national, regional and local level, such as education, training, youth, social and employment policies;

Or. en

Amendment 20

Motion for a resolution

Recital B b (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bb. 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;

Or. en

Amendment 21

Motion for a resolution

Recital B c (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bc. whereas active citizenship and civic education empower young people to become well informed, responsible and engaged members of society; whereas the Youth Guarantee, beyond its employment objectives, should explicitly promote civic engagement as a pathway to social inclusion, personal development and stronger democratic values; whereas civic education, volunteering and participatory initiatives, including those supported by the European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+, can complement employment and training measures by fostering agency, solidarity and a sense of belonging;

Or. en

Amendment 22

Motion for a resolution

Recital B d (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bd. whereas young people, especially those living in remote and rural areas, those from Roma communities and young people growing up in or transitioning out of alternative care, face several challenges, including accessing education, training, traineeships, apprenticeships, volunteering opportunities and youth work, due to factors such as low income, lack of transport, digital exclusion, territorial isolation and insufficient outreach, and are consequently over-represented among early leavers from education and training and NEETs;

Or. en

Amendment 23

Motion for a resolution

Recital B e (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Be. whereas these persistent socio-economic inequalities, early leaving from education and training, disengagement from community and cultural life, and low levels of basic and soft skills continue to affect young people’s opportunities for personal and professional development and underline the need for inclusive and supportive environments throughout education and training, and beyond;

Or. en

Amendment 24

Motion for a resolution

Recital B f (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bf. whereas support measures to prevent early leaving from education or training under the Youth Guarantee must be deployed together with social protection measures to ensure that young people are not compelled to leave education prematurely due to their individual socio-economic background;

Or. en

Amendment 25

Motion for a resolution

Recital B g (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bg. whereas a coherent, cross-sectoral system of services, including education, youth work, cultural activities and employment support is essential to prevent disengagement, validate non-formal learning and rebuild trust among marginalised young people; whereas low-threshold, community-based outreach centred on culture, sports and civic engagement is critical to reaching those furthest from public services;

Or. en

Amendment 26

Motion for a resolution

Recital B h (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bh. whereas the validation of non-formal and informal learning, in line with the Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012, enables young people furthest from the labour market to build on skills and competences acquired through youth work, volunteering, community activities and non-formal or informal learning experiences; whereas effective validation can build confidence and boost the personal motivation of young people, reduce the time needed to obtain recognised qualifications and facilitate re-entry into employment, education or training;

Or. en

Amendment 27

Motion for a resolution

Recital B i (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bi. whereas youth work is recognised at EU level, including under the European youth work agenda, as a distinct practice supporting young people’s personal development, social inclusion and civic engagement; whereas approaches to the recognition of youth work, and the qualifications and professional standards required by the sector, vary significantly across Member States, resulting in uneven visibility and portability of competences acquired through youth work;

Or. en

Amendment 28

Motion for a resolution

Recital B j (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bj. whereas volunteering activities, including those supported under the European Solidarity Corps, provide learning environments that foster responsibility, initiative, teamwork and civic engagement; whereas such experiences support the development and recognition of transversal competences, particularly for young people who may not immediately access formal education or employment pathways;

Or. en

Amendment 29

Motion for a resolution

Recital B k (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	Bk. whereas the fast pace of digital transformation requires young people, particularly those with fewer opportunities, to develop digital literacy, creativity and innovation skills; whereas the cultural and creative sectors can contribute through non-formal and informal learning, in areas such as digital arts, media production and online collaboration;

Or. en

Amendment 30

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
4. Stresses that follow-up indicators suffer from a lack of data and methodological weaknesses in several Member States;	4. Stresses that follow-up indicators suffer from a lack of data and methodological weaknesses in several Member States; notes that some Member States group together education and training data on the one hand, and employment and apprenticeship data on the other hand; highlights that the lack of fully disaggregated monitoring data limits the ability to follow up and analyse Youth Guarantee exits by type, having a particular impact on the evaluation of the sustainability and success of education, training and apprenticeship outcomes;

Or. en

Amendment 31

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	4a. Notes that while employment outcomes remain a central focus of Youth Guarantee implementation, outcomes of continued education and training opportunities, apprenticeships and traineeships are comparatively under-represented by a significant margin; underlines that their limited visibility risks undervaluing alternative pathways and may incentivise short-term labour market offers over sustainable, long-term transitions into employment by way of education and training opportunities, apprenticeships and traineeships;

Or. en

Amendment 32

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	5a. Welcomes the establishment of validation systems for non-formal and informal learning in most Member States; nevertheless, regrets that implementation of the Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 remains uneven;

Or. en

Amendment 33

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 b (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	5b. Notes that the fragmentation of qualification frameworks, complex validation procedures, insufficient guidance and a lack of dedicated financial and human resources continue to hinder effective use of validation arrangements, particularly for young people with fewer opportunities1a; __________________ 1a CEDEFOP, overview report, ‘European inventory of validation of informal and non-formal learning 2023’, 13 May 2024.

Or. en

Amendment 34

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
8. Stresses that the impact of the RYG is uneven across the Member States in terms of its implementation and regarding the specific elements of the reinforcement;	8. Stresses that the impact of the RYG is uneven across the Member States in terms of its implementation and regarding the specific elements of the reinforcement, with uneven access, outreach and outcomes, particularly for young people with fewer opportunities;

Or. en

Amendment 35

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	11a. Highlights the persistent gaps in data-sharing and interinstitutional communication, particularly between schools, education and training authorities, alternative care services, social services and public employment services, which limit early intervention at key transition points such as graduation from secondary or higher education;

Or. en

Amendment 36

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
12. Is concerned about the observed trend within RYG schemes of a shift away from personalised to generalised services;	12. Is concerned about the observed trend within RYG schemes of a shift away from personalised to generalised services; notes that one-stop shop models integrating employment, education and training, and youth and social services have demonstrated positive results in addressing the complex needs of young people and responding to their individual situations; underlines that their effectiveness depends on strong interinstitutional coordination, the availability of personalised, case-based support and the ability to overcome the fragmentation of services, and on ensuring that services are accessible and visible to young people;

Or. en

Amendment 37

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 17

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
17. Stresses that a collaborative approach is essential to ensure the successful implementation of the RYG; calls on the Member States to strengthen cooperation between ministries, PES, social partners, labour market actors, national youth councils and civil society at central and local level to ensure that everyone works within an integrated network of services for NEETs;	17. Stresses that a collaborative approach is essential to ensure the successful implementation of the RYG; calls on the Member States to strengthen cooperation between ministries, PES, social partners, labour market actors, national youth councils and civil society at central and local level to ensure that everyone works within an integrated network of services for NEETs; stresses that such services should integrate prevention and early intervention, and support informed career choices and skills recognition; encourages communication between schools, education authorities and public employment services to ensure the timely identification and follow-up of young people leaving education and training without a clear pathway into employment or further learning;

Or. en

Amendment 38

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
18. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to include in RYG schemes a set of preventive measures focusing on early school leaving in order to avoid later impacts on young people’s lives;	18. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to include in RYG schemes a set of preventive measures focusing on early school leaving in order to avoid later impacts on young people’s lives; stresses that such measures should have educational and early intervention dimensions; calls for the inclusion of measures addressing low levels of basic and soft skills, and for guidance and counselling in professional development to be made available;

Or. en

Amendment 39

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	18a. Calls on the Member States to strengthen career guidance in schools and youth centres and spaces, provide learning opportunities in formal, non-formal and informal environments, and adapt curricula and provide clearer pathways from education and training to employment, in order to support informed decision-making and the development of skills needed to navigate a complex labour market;

Or. en

Amendment 40

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18 b (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	18b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to integrate digital literacy, creativity and media skills into Youth Guarantee schemes, leveraging the cultural and creative sectors as innovative learning environments; encourages using Digital Europe Programme and Creative Europe funds to support inclusive digital upskilling, in partnership with cultural institutions and digital hubs, to prepare young people for the digital transition;

Or. en

Amendment 41

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18 c (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	18c. Calls on the Member States to implement targeted support for learners at risk, including mentoring, culturally sensitive mediation and career guidance, with a focus on low-income families, Roma communities, and girls at risk of early leaving from education and training;

Or. en

Amendment 42

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18 d (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	18d. Calls on the Member States to invest in the training of teachers and trainers to identify learners at risk of early leaving from education and training and to support them effectively; stresses the importance of structured cooperation between schools and families in supporting young people’s educational pathways;

Or. en

Amendment 43

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18 e (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	18e. Stresses the need to focus Youth Guarantee measures for those in the 15-19 age group on continuing education, vocational education and training; recalls the importance of citizenship skills as a basic skill for all young people;

Or. en

Amendment 44

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 20

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
20. Calls for, at both EU and national level, greater synergy between the Youth Guarantee and the Child Guarantee instruments, in particular to provide continuous support to children in need, from the ages of 15 to 18 and when they become young adults; stresses that this integrated approach must aim to prevent the ‘care cliff’ phenomenon;	20. Calls for, at both EU and national level, greater synergy between the Youth Guarantee and the Child Guarantee instruments, in particular to provide continuous support to children in need, from the ages of 15 to 18 and when they become young adults; stresses that this integrated approach must aim to prevent the ‘care cliff’ phenomenon; calls on the Member States to build on potential synergies between the Youth Guarantee and the Council Recommendation of 28 November 2022 on pathways to school success, by including concrete links between the two schemes in their national strategies towards school success, with specific actions such as offering routes back into mainstream education and training, or access to quality second-chance programmes for all who have prematurely left education or training;

Or. en

Amendment 45

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 22

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
22. Calls on the Member States, in line with the 2012 Council recommendation, to strengthen their systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning; encourages the adaptation of these systems to reach vulnerable NEETs by enhancing the capacities of those responsible for validation, or by offering specific arrangements, while ensuring the quality of these procedures;	22. Calls on the Member States, in line with the 2012 Council recommendation, to strengthen their systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning, including through micro-credentials and digital formats; encourages the adaptation of these systems to reach vulnerable NEETs by enhancing the capacities of those responsible for validation, or by offering specific arrangements, while ensuring the quality of these procedures; urges the Commission to harmonise qualification frameworks and promote cross-border recognition;

Or. en

Amendment 46

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	23a. Encourages the development of gradual reintegration pathways for young people with fewer opportunities, as explicit intermediate outcomes within the Youth Guarantee, to help them acquire soft skills, work habits, confidence and recognised learning outcomes before transitioning into formal education, training or quality employment; believes that such pathways will prevent repeated or premature labour-market placements that risk undermining trust and long-term outcomes; stresses the need for the inclusion in such pathways of structured volunteering, youth work, social enterprises and community placements, tailored to individual needs and linked to follow-up pathways;

Or. en

Amendment 47

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 24

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
24. Recommends the creation of a fifth strand for RYG schemes, focusing on volunteering opportunities; emphasises that volunteering has the potential to improve the skills and employability of NEETs and to accommodate vulnerable young people in a more flexible manner;	24. Recommends the creation of a fifth strand for RYG schemes, focusing on volunteering opportunities; emphasises that volunteering has the potential to improve the skills and employability of NEETs and to accommodate vulnerable young people in a more flexible manner; considers that the integration of volunteering opportunities into Youth Guarantee programmes should be supported through synergies with the European Solidarity Corps, and in the post-2027 period with the new Erasmus+ programme;

Or. en

Amendment 48

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 24 a (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	24a. 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, thereby facilitating the possibility of youth work offers becoming part of the Youth Guarantee; believes that such a process should include consultation with relevant youth work stakeholders and be in line with the European Youth Work Agenda; stresses the need to remove financial, transport and digital barriers that limit participation in such activities for young people with fewer opportunities;

Or. en

Amendment 49

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 24 b (new)

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
	24b. Encourages Member States to explore and promote mentoring and peer learning during the preparatory phase of the Youth Guarantee, recognising their potential to foster social engagement, mutual learning and skills development, particularly for young people with fewer opportunities;

Or. en

Amendment 50

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 26

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
26. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to allocate adequate funding for the RYG in the next MFF, in particular by maintaining the earmarking of EU funds;	26. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to allocate adequate funding for the RYG in the next MFF, in particular by maintaining the earmarking of EU funds; emphasises that funding is required for outreach activities, coordinated support services, validation of non-formal and informal learning and the involvement of civil society and youth organisations; stresses that funding for youth organisations, which are essential partners in Youth Guarantee outreach, should prioritise stability and predictability, while respecting their autonomy and trusted role among young people;

Or. en

Amendment 51

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 27

Motion for a resolution	Amendment
27. Urges the Member States to significantly strengthen their systems for monitoring the implementation of the RYG in terms of the quality and completeness of the data collected;	27. Urges the Member States to significantly strengthen their systems for monitoring the implementation of the RYG, in terms of the quality and completeness of the data collected; stresses the need to improve the monitoring and evaluation of education, training and apprenticeship outcomes, including by introducing separate monitoring criteria and indicators to follow their long-term success rates, and to follow up on results; calls on Member States to strengthen disaggregated data collection and analysis for young people with fewer opportunities, including those growing up in alternative care, girls and young people living in remote areas;

Or. en