EU4Youth (Western Balkans & Albania)

Empowering young people through employment, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.

EU4Youth is a comprehensive EU-funded initiative supporting youth employment, entrepreneurship and civic engagement across the Western Balkans, including Albania. In Albania, the programme focuses on implementing the Youth Guarantee scheme, which ensures that every young person under 30 receives a quality offer of employment, education, apprenticeship or training within four months of registering with employment offices. The project targets vulnerable NEET youth (not in employment, education or training), strengthens local partnerships, enhances VET systems and provides grants for youth-led initiatives. Implemented by UNDP and UNICEF, EU4Youth aims to reach 17,000 young people through improved employment services, youth-friendly tools and innovative local solutions.

Opportunity details

Albania participation status: Participating as a beneficiary country in the Western Balkans

Who is it for? Young people aged 15-29 (especially NEETs), youth organisations, NGOs, local partnerships, public employment services

Typical funding type: Grants for youth-led projects, sub-granting schemes, technical assistance

Typical budget range: Varies by call (sub-grants typically €10,000 – €50,000 per project; overall programme budget: €31.6 million across Western Balkans)

Current phase: 2023-2027 (Youth Guarantee pilot in Tirana, Shkodër, Vlorë; national roll-out from 2026)