Empowering Europe's youth: From first jobs to first start-ups
On World Youth Skills Day (15 July), we celebrated the power of skills development in shaping the future of young people and, by extension, the future of our economies and societies. Across the EU, young people are stepping into their first jobs, launching their first ventures, and building the foundations for lifelong careers.
But how do we make sure that young Europeans have the right opportunities to gain real-world experience, learn essential skills, and develop confidence?
The EU’s "Your Europe" portal provides guidance in two important areas of youth skills development: one focused on employment rights for teenage workers, and the other on entrepreneurship training for aspiring business owners. While they serve different age groups and stages of development, both contribute meaningfully to empowering youth with skills for life.
Learning by doing: Legal work opportunities for teenagers
Across Europe, many teenagers are eager to take their first steps into the world of work. Whether through a part-time job during school holidays, a weekend role in retail, or an early apprenticeship, these experiences offer much more than a payslip, they develop responsibility, communication, time management, and self-esteem.
The Your Europe page on teenage workers outlines the EU-wide legal framework for employing young people. While specific rules vary by country, there are shared principles that protect teenagers while enabling early work experience:
Understanding these rights helps employers, parents, and teens create safe and meaningful work experiences. It’s an important foundation for lifelong skills development, helping young people understand workplace norms, build resilience, and discover their own strengths.
Entrepreneurship without borders: Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
Not every young person wants a job, some want to create their own. The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme supports exactly that: giving new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to train abroad with experienced business owners in another EU country.
This is much more than a cultural exchange. Participants in the programme gain:
The programme is open to young people with a concrete business idea, or those who’ve started a company within the last 3 years. Stays typically last between 1 and 6 months, and the EU helps cover travel and subsistence costs.
→ Learn more: https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/running-business/start-ups/erasmus-young-entrepreneurs/index_en.htm
For many, it’s a launchpad to not just develop business skills, but to think bigger, about markets, models, and innovation across borders.
Why these programmes matter now
In today’s fast-evolving labour market, young people need more than academic qualifications. They need adaptable, practical, and transferable skills, from digital fluency to entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. Early work and entrepreneurial experiences offer some of the best ways to build those skills.
And it’s not just about economic opportunity. Youth employment and entrepreneurship are also key to social inclusion, confidence building, and civic participation. By supporting and promoting these , we help ensure that no young person is left behind, regardless of where they come from or where they hope to go.
A call to action
Take a moment to explore the practical tools that already exist, and share them with young people in your network, workplace, school, or community.
Change often starts with a conversation, a link, or a bit of encouragement.