BE U - Fii antreprenor acasa la tine !

In Albania and Montenegro young people with fewer opportunities lack practical knowledge and financial opportunities to (self-) employ. One of the major obstacles reported by the private businesses, especially those that are expanding and adopting innovative technologies prerequisite for access to high value and demanding markets, is lack of skilled labour relevant to their industries despite the availability of formally registered unemployed labour across the countries.According to European Commission’s report (2021), Albania’s competitiveness is hindered by a lack of entrepreneurial and technological knowhow, significant levels of informality, and unmet investment needs in human and physical capital. Pre-existing and significant gaps in skills and education have widened due to COVID-19 related lockdowns and distance learning, which is not accessible to all young people, especially those from vulnerable categories or regions. At the same time, the share of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) further increased in 2020, as a result of the crisis induced by COVID-19 (27.9% of the 15–29-year-old category).