ILO and EU strengthen regional momentum for Second Chance Schools

ILO and EU strengthen regional momentum for Second Chance Schools

The ILO and the European Union brought together key stakeholders from the MENA region to strengthen regional cooperation around Second Chance Schools as a central lever for policies to integrate NEETs.

6 February 2026

ALGIERS (ILO News) - With the financial support of the European Union, the International Labour Organization convened public decision-makers and regional partners on 29 January 2026 for a webinar dedicated to the potential of Second Chance Schools (E2C) to promote inclusion and employability for young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Young NEETs represent one third of the youth population in the MENA region. Second-chance and school dropout prevention mechanisms offer a practical response to the socio-economic inclusion of NEET youth.

Organized under the regional Youth NEET - EU/ILO project, the webinar highlighted the strategic role of E2C as a bridge between education, training and employment, and as a structured response to the persistent challenges of school dropout and labour market integration for young people furthest from mainstream systems.

A regional dynamic built on exchange of practices

The webinar followed the Regional E2C Workshop held on 24-25 April 2025 in Rabat in partnership with the European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD). It continued a regional momentum of dialogue and mutual learning across the MENA region on school-to-training-to-employment transitions and the development of inclusive solutions.

The webinar brought together representatives from ministries, public agencies, international organizations, civil society actors and technical partners from eight countries in the MENA region.

Discussions presented the main findings of an ongoing policy analysis document on E2C, examined trends in school dropout and existing institutional responses, reported back on the conclusions of the New Opportunities Regional Forum held in Tunis in December 2025, and shared concrete field experiences and testimonies.

Shared governance as a pillar of the E2C model

Institutional interventions underscored the strategic role of E2C as a bridge between education, training and employment in the MENA region:

"Youth empowerment is a priority reiterated with the new Pact for the Mediterranean. Economic inclusion, decent job creation, but also higher education, skills and vocational training, mobility are key." - Mr Guillaume Fine, Head of Unit for Economic Cooperation, European Commission, Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf.

The Catalan experience was also highlighted as a good practice example in dual learning and personalized support for young people:

"Dual learning and personalized support are at the heart of the Catalan model. They show that it is possible to build flexible, demanding and effective pathways for young people who have disengaged." - Ms Eva Expósito Nogué, Head of Youth Support and Assistance Services, Government of Catalonia.

These exchanges confirmed the importance of E2C schemes integrated into national systems and supported by strong partnerships between public institutions, civil society and the private sector.

Towards a strengthened and sustainable regional strategy for NEET youth

Through this webinar, the International Labour Organization and the European Union reaffirm their joint commitment to supporting partner countries in implementing inclusive and sustainable policies for NEET youth. Emphasis is placed on continuity of pathways, from dropout prevention and re-engagement through to sustainable labour market integration, linking guidance, training and employability.

Discussions identified several priorities, including strengthening the integration of E2C into national youth inclusion strategies, consolidating institutional and operational partnerships, recognizing acquired skills, and promoting mutual learning and policy convergence at the regional level.

These recommendations build on the work initiated at the Rabat meeting and will help guide next steps, including the development of national roadmaps and the rollout of pilot actions from 2026.

About the Youth NEET - EU/ILO project

The regional Youth NEET project aims to support partner countries in North Africa and the Middle East in designing and implementing integrated policies and mechanisms for young people who are not in employment, education or training. It is based on data analysis, strengthening public employment services and regional cooperation to promote inclusive and sustainable pathways to decent work, drawing inspiration from the European Union's Youth Guarantee approach.

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