BRUSSELS (MNI) – European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso
on Monday presented a plan to EU leaders to divert E82 billion of
unspent EU funds to promote jobs for young people and aid small
companies.
To tackle the rising problem of youth unemployment in the EU, which
at 22.3% is more than double the overall unemployment rate, the
Commission has proposed developing national job plans for member states
to consider in May.
These would involve more apprenticeship and trainee programs and
guaranteeing job, education, or training within four months for school
leavers.
In the hardest hit countries, such as Spain where almost one in two
young people are seeking work, the Commission would send an “action
team” to work with national governments and interest groups to develop
job plans and use EU funds to help finance training and work experience
programs.
In a presentation to EU leaders, Barroso also said that the
Commission would develop policies to help small companies gain access
to funding directly, through loans and guarantees and via the European
Investment Bank.
Brussels also wants to do more to develop venture capital in the
EU, breakdown remaining barriers in the internal market and cut red
tape.
–Brussels bureau: +324-9522-8374; pkoh@marketnews.com
[TOPICS: M$$CR$,MGX$$$]
