Do you believe that the European Year of Youth has left a long-lasting legacy by involving young people in the design, leadership, implementation and assessment of policies at EU, national, regional and local levels? What did work and what has been left?
«No, at least not yet. We will have to evaluate the European Year of Youth legacy in a couple of years. What I find beneficial is an uplifted discussion about the need of Youth Policy mainstreaming and more political awareness towards it. For specific progress that EYY had in the youth participation in the design of policies, we will have to do proper research in the future».
Do you believe that the European Year of Skills is the right ‘continuation’ of the European Year of Youth?
«Yes, it is fortunate that some of the initiatives and political discussions that started during the European Year of Youth can continue with the European Year of Skills framework. While the policies and initiatives regarding skills do not only address the needs of younger generations, many do. That is creating new opportunities, which is great!».
As a member of the Committee of the Regions, how do you view the role of regional perspectives in shaping the success of the European Year of Skills, and how can local and regional authorities contribute to fostering inclusive skill development within their respective communities?
«Crucial. There are so many good things happening on the ground. I hope the European Year of Skills will be even more successful in reaching out to local and regional decision-makers. In my experience, much work is needed to foster European initiatives such as the European Year of Skills to the very different local realities. Not every local administration even has the capacity to follow, engage and promote the opportunities that arise from this initiative/s. However, the success of this initiative is largely dependent on exactly that – the capacity to take it to the local and regional level and successfully implement it for the benefit of young (or not so young) citizens. And there is the most important role of cities and regions».
Local and regional authorities are often at the forefront of implementing policies and programs related to youth employment and skills development. From your perspective, what are some of the key challenges and opportunities faced by local authorities in promoting inclusive skill development, and how can the European Year of Skills support them in addressing these challenges effectively? What are the main skills to be considered/to be developed for the future we are already living? (digitalisation, labor market, education, unemployment, etc.).
«The European Year of Skills can support the local and regional authorities in providing different platforms and opportunities for knowledge exchange, best and worst practice sharing and promoting skill development and skill mobility for future challenges. I would like to put importance on only a few out of many future skills that we will need to develop and enhance to unprecedented levels: like inclusivity, everything regarding addressing the digital divide, digital literacy, as well as skills related to green transition: renewable energy, resource conservation and eco-friendly practices and well as skills needed to adapt and mitigate the climate change».
