In the framework of Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue, on 19^th October, the second Skype panel on the topic of youth unemployment was held, organized by LDA Subotica.

Youth unemployment has been chosen by young people as a topic for the regional panel, as it is a common problem that negatively affects young people in all the Western Balkan countries, being one of the most pressing problems of society nowadays. Therefore, the aim of the panel was to exchange views and provide new perspectives and proposals on this important issue, and potentially motivating young people with advice and new insight.

Introductory speech was held by panelists: Zeljko Crnjakovic, online entrepreneur, owner of Webinarium Subotica, who talked about online business opportunities for unemployed young people and Carmine Tarallo, entrepreneur, director of Italian Cultural Centre in Subotica, who shared his perspective on youth unemployment as an entrepreneur as well as his experience in employing young people.

Several youth unemployment causes emerged from the discussion, emphasizing that the risk of unemployment for youngsters is typically higher than for adults for several different reasons. These include lack of work experience, skills mismatch, lack of entrepreneurship and life-skill education and the financial crisis that still affects the labour market. Both panelists highlighted their proposals and advice in effectively countering youth unemployment, with motivation, willingness to learn and investment in personal growth being the key tools for change.

The aim of the online panels is to enable more structured and more frequent direct exchanges of opinions and contacts between youngsters from the region. Furthermore, the implementation of this activity will increase the opportunities for additional inclusion of youngsters with fewer opportunities in regional activities since it will be open for participation to all interested young people from each participating community.