Is It Possible to Tackle Youth Needs with Agricultural and Rural Development Policies?

Alen Mujčinović,Ivana Janeska Stamenkovska,Vesela Radović,Aleksandra Nikolić,Paul Flynn,Veronica Mccauley,Emelj Tuna

doi:10.3390/su13158410

Abstract

Rural youth are influenced by a wide range of uncertainties regarding their personal and professional development. Rural youth and in particular rural NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) are especially vulnerable and face higher risks of labour market, social and economic exclusion. This paper aims to analyse the determinants of the dynamics of rural NEETs in three post-transitional countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia) compared to the EU-28 average and to Ireland as an example of an established EU member state with over 50% of its population living in rural areas that can act as a benchmark for effective policy implementation to address challenges of marginalized youth, during the 2009–2019 period. The dynamics of rural NEET status and the efficiency/adaptability of regional development policies are revealed through analysis of macro and socioeconomic factors as well as specific employment-related indicators disaggregated by gender and degree of urbanisation. The comparative analysis indicates deficiencies in regional development policies among post-transitional countries and the potential to adapt modern European practices and policies for improving the rural NEETs’ position.

Highlights

Youth citizenship is continually faced with various uncertainties regarding their general and professional development and career/job opportunities [1]
The NEET concept encapsulates a heterogeneous group [4,5], represented by (i) long-term and short-term unemployed NEETs, (ii) unavailable NEETs due to family duties, (iii) unoccupied NEETs, i.e., those not actively seeking a job, and not restricted due to other obligations, (iv) NEETs seeking opportunities, including youth actively trying to find a job or education and training but who are still waiting for offers that match their competencies and status, and (v) voluntary NEETs, i.e., those who choose to be in such a situation [6]
This paper aims to provide support in this regard by addressing the following research questions: RQ1: What are the determinants of rural NEETs in three post-transitional countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia, in comparison to those of select

Summary

Introduction

Youth citizenship is continually faced with various uncertainties regarding their general and professional development and career/job opportunities [1]. (iii) unoccupied NEETs, i.e., those not actively seeking a job, and not restricted due to other obligations, (iv) NEETs seeking opportunities, including youth actively trying to find a job or education and training but who are still waiting for offers that match their competencies and status, and (v) voluntary NEETs, i.e., those who choose to be in such a situation [6]. The importance of this concept has been recognised by policy makers and researchers in many countries, as isolated attention is focused on the NEET indicator as a supplement

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion