Background information

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth has had a negative impact on the wellbeing of many young people. Furthermore, it has caused significant unemployment among youth.

In order to support young people to find employment, the municipalities of Vantaa and Kerava have introduced a project called Rinnalla kulkien (free translation 'walking beside').

Content of measure

This project targets young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who became unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The core target group are adults whose possibilities of finding new employment are weaker despite the improving economic situation. For instance, young people without secondary education, young people who became unemployed right after graduation or those with difficulties in terms of language skills or learning.

The project provides targeted support for young people. Young people participating in this project are assigned a mentor who works with them several times per week in order to ensure a fast transition to either working life or studies. The service model is a hybrid between youth work and public employment services.

The goal of this project is to provide assistance and mentoring for 400 young people.

The total budget of this measure is around €1 million. The project is partially funded by the European Social Fund.

Use of measure

No information available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Youth (18-25)

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Local / regional government	European Funds Local funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

The social partners were not involved as this is not in social partner's domain.

Views and reactions

Not applicable.

Sources

• 04 December 2021: Miljoona euroa nuorisotyöttömyyden vähentämiseen Vantaalla [One million euros to reduce youth unemployment in Vantaa] (www.vantaa.fi)