Youth Guarantee: Supporting the Development of a Skilled Workforce Ready for the Future

UNDP Albania

August 7, 2026

EU4Youth — Representatives of the European Union, UNDP, UNICEF, Youth Guarantee ambassadors and young people at the Employment and Skills Fair, March 2026

UNDP Albania

For many young people, graduation marks the beginning of a new journey. But it can also bring a difficult question: How do I find a job when every employer asks for experience that I do not yet have?

Andrea knows this challenge well.

After completing his studies, he entered the labour market with ambition and high hopes. Like many young graduates, however, he quickly encountered the gap between education and employment. He had the knowledge, but he needed the practical skills, guidance and opportunity to turn that knowledge into a career.

That opportunity came through the Youth Guarantee.

The Youth Guarantee is a commitment to ensure that every young person receives a quality offer of employment, continued education, vocational training, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within four months of registering with employment services. By connecting young people with career guidance, skills development and employment opportunities, it helps bridge the transition from education to work.

In Albania, the Youth Guarantee is implemented by the National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES), in cooperation with other national and local institutions and with technical support from the EU-funded EU4Youth Programme, jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. Following the successful pilot phase, the Government of Albania has now expanded the Youth Guarantee nationwide, making its services available to young people across the country.

For Andrea, that support came through a JavaScript/Full Stack training course, where he developed practical digital skills while gaining a better understanding of employers' expectations in today's labour market.

"Learning technical skills was only part of the journey," Andrea says. "I also learned how important it is to present yourself professionally, build a strong CV and continue investing in your own development. The biggest change was gaining the confidence that I was ready for the world of work."

Andrea's story is one of thousands demonstrating how the right support at the right moment can transform uncertainty into opportunity.

Supported by the European Union through the EU4Youth programme, the Youth Guarantee is helping young people across Albania acquire the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to build successful careers and contribute to the country's future.

By July 2026, more than 3,700 young people had benefited from the scheme, while over 2,560 received an offer of employment, education or vocational training.

Behind every number is a personal story.

After completing five years of university studies, Adna was ready to begin her professional career. Like many graduates, she needed support to navigate the labour market and connect her qualifications with real opportunities.

Through the Youth Guarantee, she found both guidance and a pathway forward.

"The Youth Guarantee gave me direction," Adna says. "It helped me understand my strengths, improve my skills and believe that I could successfully start my career."

Stories like Andrea's and Adna's show that youth employment is about much more than creating jobs. It is about creating pathways to meaningful careers and helping young people realise their potential.

The results reflect that impact. More than 83% of participants received an offer within four months, in line with the Youth Guarantee commitment. Among them, 52% moved into employment or self-employment, while 48% continued with education, internships or vocational training.

These achievements contribute to a broader ambition: ensuring that Albania's young people are equipped with the skills needed for a changing economy and have equal opportunities to participate fully in society.

Investing in Youth, Investing in Albania's European Future

"As Albania advances on its path towards European Union membership, empowering young people is becoming increasingly important," says Eno Ngjela, Programme Specialist at UNDP Albania. "The EU accession process is not only about aligning institutions and legislation—it is also about building a society where citizens have the skills, opportunities and confidence to participate in Europe's future. Youth employment, skills development and social inclusion are central to this journey."

Through the Youth Guarantee, implemented in Albania with technical support from the EU4Youth programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF, Albania is strengthening the connection between education and the labour market while building a skilled workforce ready for the future.

Every young person who gains new skills, secures a job or continues learning represents another step towards a more inclusive, competitive and resilient economy—bringing Albania closer to its European aspirations.
For Andrea, the impact is deeply personal.

"The biggest change was realising that opportunities exist when you have the right support and the motivation to take them," he says.

For Adna, it marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Together, their stories capture the true meaning of the Youth Guarantee: creating bridges between education and employment, between talent and opportunity, and between Albania's young people and a stronger European future.