PREVENT jointed JOBTOWN in Rennes (France) in February 2014 !

A main target of the Europe 2020 strategy is to reduce the general early school-leaving rate to less than 10% by 2020. Indeed, it is a target well motivated, also with reference to current unemployment rates, not the least for many of Europe’s young; high rates of early school leavers mean a tremendous waste of potential and, as a consequence, a major barrier to individual, social as well as to economic development. One negative consequence of ESL, as highlighted in research, is the higher risk of ending up in unemployment; and with youth unemployment rates hitting the ceiling in many EU member states, any action aimed at lowering the number of ESL:ers must be considered a major concern and thus, an important driver in reducing youth unemployment rates.

From a general point of view, we know that challenges related to job creation, participation and inclusion are not in any way easy to solve and manage. Thousands of projects all over the EU have already tried and failed. On the other hand, solutions do not have be that mysterious; maybe “doing better” in solving issues like ESL and youth unemployment more has to do with whether cities, nations and Europe will be able to engage the young in future planning and in finding acceptable ways to co-produce good ways to promote an educational success – together with the young and, in the case of the Prevent network, with parents and families. It is true that today, knowledge, competencies and life skills can be found and trained in many places, contexts and situations – but even so, the negative effects of early school leaving are still far too serious not to be taken into consideration. Leaving school without the skills and qualifications that are considered necessary to make a successful transition between school and work causes problems and restraints not only for the young and their families, but also for cities and societies as a whole.

The 2 Urbact projects about Youth and ESL need in so many ways the same attitude: intersectorial and transversal management, focuses on transition periods, confidence of all the stakeholders. They also require very positive feelings because they are long, difficult and continuing processes. Solutions are always evident and connection between action and direct results not easy to establish.