Resilience and involvement: the role of the EU's Structural and Investment Funds in addressing youth unemployment

This chapter explores the role of the EU's Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in addressing youth unemployment. The chapter looks beyond the now well established repertoire of ESIF interventions set out in the European Commission's call for action on youth unemployment. Two possible areas of intervention are considered: the involvement of young people in the design and delivery of programmes; and the development of young people's personal resilience as a determinant of successful labour market outcomes. The chapter presents interim findings from a large scale evaluation of a €130 million programme which is delivered through civil society organisations called Talent Match. The chapter reports on interim findings and finds mixed success, Whilst some approaches break traditional delivery models; it is too soon to assess their overall effectiveness.