Prioritizing Youth in the National Policy Agendas: The Role of the Youth Guarantee in Three European Countries

In recent years the European Union (EU), recognizing the importance of young people for economic development and social cohesion, has placed pro-youth policies in its top-priority agenda. The Youth Guarantee constitutes one of the emblematic European initiatives. The paper focuses on the national Youth Guarantee plans of three European countries, Greece, Ireland and Spain. First, it makes a short reference to the institutional framework, which is being created by the EU as a means of establishing better prospects for young people, and describes the socioeconomic environment of the three countries. Then, the paper makes a comparative analysis of their Youth Guarantee plans in order to designate their particular characteristics. Also, it examines the funding options for the projects in each country and attempts to evaluate their potential. In addition, the paper comments on the role of stakeholders in the initiative’s implementation in an effort to underline their importance and to highlight the differences and the limitations regarding their contribution. Finally, the paper attempts an evaluation of the Youth Guarantee schemes of the three countries, in an effort either to indicate deficiencies or to emphasize good practices, which in the long-term would serve as useful experiences for other member states.