The FYI-R workshop held at the Open Youth Space “Prienas” in Lithuania revealed significant challenges facing young people in rural areas regarding employment.
Participants described a local labour market dominated by low-paid, low-skilled service jobs — primarily in retail and cafés — which offer little long-term security or career progression.
University-educated individuals often find no opportunities to work in their field, and the Public Employment Service is perceived as offering limited, impersonal support that fails to address individual circumstances such as health conditions or caregiving responsibilities.
Young parents, especially mothers, face acute barriers to employment due to inflexible work schedules and inadequate childcare services. Those caring for children with disabilities are often excluded entirely from the workforce. Health issues also prevent some from returning to jobs they previously enjoyed, further narrowing employment options.
Participants expressed a desire for fair wages, flexible conditions, and positive workplace environments that align with their personal interests and life situations. Despite these aspirations, most participants struggled to envision long-term employment futures.
Few shared concrete projections beyond their current roles, and many felt pessimistic about the prospects of living and working in Prienai. Remote work was largely dismissed due to a lack of digital skills and infrastructure, and retraining was mentioned only once.
Decisions to stay or leave the region are shaped more by structural constraints than personal choice. Limited access to education, housing, childcare, and transport restricts mobility and agency. For those considering leaving, financial support and external connections are crucial—but not universally available. Gender roles and social expectations further compound these inequalities.
To empower youth in Prienai, targeted investment in local employment opportunities, retraining programs, and supportive services is essential. Only by addressing these systemic barriers can young people gain real agency over their employment paths and futures.
Participants described a local labour market dominated by low-paid, low-skilled service jobs — primarily in retail and cafés — which offer little long-term security or career progression.
University-educated individuals often find no opportunities to work in their field, and the Public Employment Service is perceived as offering limited, impersonal support that fails to address individual circumstances such as health conditions or caregiving responsibilities.
Young parents, especially mothers, face acute barriers to employment due to inflexible work schedules and inadequate childcare services. Those caring for children with disabilities are often excluded entirely from the workforce. Health issues also prevent some from returning to jobs they previously enjoyed, further narrowing employment options.
Participants expressed a desire for fair wages, flexible conditions, and positive workplace environments that align with their personal interests and life situations. Despite these aspirations, most participants struggled to envision long-term employment futures.
Few shared concrete projections beyond their current roles, and many felt pessimistic about the prospects of living and working in Prienai. Remote work was largely dismissed due to a lack of digital skills and infrastructure, and retraining was mentioned only once.
Decisions to stay or leave the region are shaped more by structural constraints than personal choice. Limited access to education, housing, childcare, and transport restricts mobility and agency. For those considering leaving, financial support and external connections are crucial—but not universally available. Gender roles and social expectations further compound these inequalities.
To empower youth in Prienai, targeted investment in local employment opportunities, retraining programs, and supportive services is essential. Only by addressing these systemic barriers can young people gain real agency over their employment paths and futures.
