NEETs living in remote areas – Bridging the geographic divide

To address the challenges faced by rural NEETs, it is essential to develop a comprehensive understanding of their unique characteristics and circumstances. This can be achieved by gathering geolocated data, applying targeted outreach strategies and engaging stakeholders. Such understanding forms the foundation for creating interventions tailored to this subgroup or for further adapting existing programmes. By building up-to-date knowledge about remote NEETs, policymakers and practitioners can design more adaptable as well as flexible education and labour market policies that respond to the evolving needs of their target groups.

Research on rural NEETs, exploring various aspects including key individual characteristics, highlights the critical influence of educational attainment and gender in shaping young people’s trajectories. Remaining in the NEET category in rural areas is often driven by low qualifications and gender stereotypes, which disproportionately affect young women. These factors significantly shape the psychosocial profiles of rural NEETs. For example, rural women in the NEET category tend to be dedicated to family care duties and may develop a more negative view of professional choices, resulting in lower wellbeing compared to their urban counterparts. Conversely, rural men in the NEET category frequently experience unemployment, enduring cycles of precarious and low-skilled jobs, and may come to accept these conditions as normal. Understanding these dynamics is essential for recognising how various factors interact to shape the personal characteristics of rural NEETs.

Research on the determinants of youth unemployment across industries and regions, such as the ‘Collaborative and sharing workspaces: policies for youth in EEA peripheral regions’ (Cowork4YOUTH), exemplifies this approach. By focusing on less developed regions across four EU countries (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain), this research project analyses existing policies on youth employment and examines the incidence and evolution of youth employment over time and in cross-regional comparison. Findings revealed a negative association between youth employment and sectors classified as 'brown' sectors (those with high pollution or emissions intensity), highlighting the need to consider both regional and sectoral dynamics. 

Addressing the challenges faced by NEETs in rural areas requires innovative strategies that engage the young people they aim to support. Bottom-up approaches, which prioritise local involvement and empowerment, are particularly effective in crafting solutions tailored to their specific needs. By involving these individuals directly in the design and implementation of community initiatives, policymakers can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to more sustainable and impactful outcomes. For example, involving rural NEETs in work-based social projects not only provides them with practical, soft, and employability skills but also strengthens their connection to the community and can increase their confidence in the job market.

Leveraging local knowledge is a key advantage of bottom-up approaches. Rural NEETs, having firsthand experience of their communities' challenges, are well placed to identify pressing issues and potential solutions. Engaging them in dialogue and decision-making processes enriches the quality of initiatives and ensures cultural and contextual appropriateness. Methods such as community workshops and participatory action can facilitate this engagement, ensuring diverse voices are heard. For example, local forums can be organised where NEETs propose ideas for local development projects, such as setting up a youth centre or launching a community clean-up campaign. Capacity building is another critical element; empowering rural NEETs involves equipping them with the skills and resources necessary to participate actively in development processes. This might include leadership training, project management skills, and education in civic engagement. By investing in the capacity of young people, communities can cultivate a new generation of leaders capable of driving change from within.

In an era of rapid digitalisation, it is crucial to ensure that NEETs are not left further disadvantaged by the digital divide. Cedefop defines the digital divide as the disparity between individuals with access to information and communication technologies (ICT) – i.e. making use of services offered on the web – and those without, highlighting disparities within and between countries.

Digital technologies present a significant opportunity for NEETs in remote areas to enhance their skill sets and access new career paths. For example, in rural regions of countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye, digital skills tend to lag behind urban areas, underlining the importance of targeted digital inclusion efforts. Digital skill levels of young people in rural areas are likely notably lower than both the EU average and those of their urban counterparts. By focusing on comprehensive training that goes beyond mere access to technology, young people can develop both technical and soft skills. This approach not only boosts self-confidence and promotes personal growth, but also facilitates community engagement and mobility. Similarly, training opportunities in high-demand digital professions, such as data engineer, java developer, system and cybersecurity analyst, and salesforce developer, which incorporate soft skills along with mentorship and job placement support, open up pathways to sustainable careers remotely. Ultimately, these efforts can transform lives by providing young people in remote areas with the skills and opportunities necessary to thrive in a connected world.

By investing in initiatives that provide access to digital skills training, online education, and remote work opportunities, policymakers enable NEETs to acquire the necessary skills to compete in the modern job market. This approach can open up employment opportunities not constrained by geographical location, helping to reduce the social exclusion and lack of access to services that many NEETs in remote areas face.

The Cowork4YOUTH research project shows how co-working spaces and hubs can serve as vital collaborative workplaces for young people. These spaces offer opportunities for training in digital and entrepreneurial skills, fostering an environment where young people can share experiences and knowledge. Co-working environments are particularly prevalent in sectors where remote work is feasible and reliant on intensive networked computer use. Information technology, financial activities, professional services such as public relations and marketing, and administrative support services are all sectors well suited to co-working practices. These collaborative spaces not only facilitate teleworking but also encourage creativity and business innovation, benefiting freelancers, start-up entrepreneurs, and professionals.

By supporting the development of digital infrastructure and co-working spaces in remote areas, policymakers can enable NEETs to access online resources, connect with peers and mentors, and participate in supportive online communities. Such efforts can stimulate local economies, foster social interaction, and ultimately contribute to reducing the digital divide, empowering young people to seize new opportunities and promoting inclusivity in the digital age.

However, digital technologies alone are not a solution. An integrated approach is essential, combining investments in education and ICT with efforts to motivate young people to use these technologies effectively. This means providing tailored training programmes that match current job market demands and ensuring that young people understand the tangible benefits and potential career paths associated with digital skills. In addition, fostering partnerships between education institutions, the private sector, and community organisations can create a robust support network, further encouraging active engagement and sustained interest in digital opportunities.

Policymakers can bring together local stakeholders, including employers, educators, and community organisations, to develop partnerships and collaborations that support NEETs in remote areas. This approach helps identify the specific needs of NEETs and develop tailored solutions to address those needs. 

Fostering partnerships between rural NEETs and stakeholders, such as local businesses and education institutions, amplifying the provision of essential resources, expertise, and networks. For example, local businesses might offer mentorship, while education institutions could provide tailored training programmes. Informal networks and peer support systems also play a significant role. Encouraging young people to form peer groups enables knowledge sharing and mutual support. These networks help NEETs navigate challenges together, share opportunities, and collaborate on projects, such as organising a local skills fair or starting a cooperative enterprise.

Value chain creation and stakeholder engagement are also key success factors. This is illustrated by the good practice example RAISE, an innovative initiative designed to tackle rural unemployment and depopulation in Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Spain. RAISE focuses on empowering 25- to 29-year-old NEETs by promoting sustainable agro-business and tourism through training, mentoring, and digital tools. By fostering horizontal and vertical cooperation among stakeholders, including local businesses, governments, academia and civil society, this project establishes value chains and promotes cross-sector collaboration. RAISE ensures that rural NEETs can tap into existing networks and resources, providing a more integrated and supportive environment for employment and entrepreneurship.

Local partnerships and collaborations can also raise awareness of the challenges faced by NEETs in remote areas and mobilise community support for initiatives that address those challenges. This helps build a more supportive and inclusive environment for NEETs and provides them with the encouragement and motivation they need to succeed. Building these partnerships might involve organising regular community forums and workshops that bring together local stakeholders to discuss shared objectives and potential collaboration opportunities. Offering incentives such as recognition awards or small grants for businesses and organisations that actively engage with NEETs can also motivate actors to engage more deeply.

Since the youth unemployment crisis following the aftermath of the Great Recession, youth entrepreneurship has been increasingly recognised as a strategy to address high levels of youth unemployment across the EU. By fostering an entrepreneur-friendly environment, young people's creative ideas can become successful businesses, generating employment and sustainable economic growth. While not a universal solution, entrepreneurship offers significant benefits for NEETs, including job creation, human capital development, and new skills acquisition. However, only a minority of young people have the necessary skills and traits for entrepreneurship, highlighting the need for targeted support. Policymakers can play a pivotal role by encouraging entrepreneurship among NEETs in remote areas, providing training, mentoring, and resources to help them develop the skills and confidence needed to start their own businesses. 

A range of policy measures can foster rural entrepreneurship; these fall into one or more of the following three categories:

• fostering an entrepreneurial culture;
• providing mentorship; and
• removing practical barriers to entrepreneurship.

Establishing hubs for education, business incubation, and demonstration of sustainable practices can foster collaboration between rural youth, local entrepreneurs, and stakeholders. Using digital platforms for marketing, crowdfunding, and crowdsourcing, as well as introducing smart farming techniques, can enhance youth entrepreneurship and stimulate local economies.

Effective youth entrepreneurship initiatives must target individuals with the right skills and ideas, with public authorities playing a leading role. Providing incentives and support to entrepreneurs willing to locate their businesses in remote areas, such as tax breaks, subsidies and access to funding, can attract new businesses and talent.

By empowering rural youth to start new businesses, these initiatives not only contribute to local economic growth but also address the challenges of rural poverty and isolation. With the right support, youth entrepreneurship can drive economic growth and equip young people with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive, ultimately benefiting disadvantaged regions across the EU.

To support NEETs in remote areas, policymakers can use EU regional and cohesion funds. The European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) can be used to finance projects that provide education, training, and employment opportunities for NEETs. In addition, other funds may offer suitable assistance, such as the Globalisation Adjustment Fund in the case of larger scale redundancies. These funds can also support entrepreneurship and self-employment initiatives, as well as projects that promote social inclusion, including NEETs as a target group. By leveraging EU funding and participating in existing communities of practice or twinning opportunities, policymakers can develop and implement effective projects that address the specific needs of NEETs in remote areas.

Extensive current research outlines various strategies policymakers can implement to address rural-urban disparities. These strategies include:

• combining job creation with enhanced accessibility and promoting rural entrepreneurship, such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups;
• improving urban-rural connectivity by upgrading digital and transportation infrastructures;
• developing rural industry clusters, including agriculture, agritourism, and renewable energy sectors;
• promoting lifelong learning and vocational training opportunities;
• boosting off-season tourism in regions that heavily depend on tourism; and
• encouraging companies to participate in social dialogue to reduce the impact of closures and provide retraining and reskilling programmes.

Whatever the support measures, it is crucial to tailor these to the regional context and to engage local stakeholders.