Government allocates 15 million euros for young people outside work and education

The government will provide 15 million euros to develop services for young people who are outside work and education, Yle reports. The pilot will involve 11 large cities and is scheduled to begin in selected neighbourhoods in early 2027.

Funding will go to areas with the largest numbers of 18 to 29-year-olds who are not in work or education. The government will support the pilot from 2026 to 2028. A decree on the project was approved on Thursday.

Lahti expects to receive just under 800,000 euros. The city plans to apply for funding in November, and a regional vitality centre will decide on applications. The neighbourhoods taking part in Lahti have not yet been selected.

Lahti employment services estimate that about 1,500 residents aged 18 to 29 have been outside employment and education services for at least six months and need services and particular support.

The city aims to develop local services that can connect young people with support, studies or a return to education to complete interrupted courses. Lahti employment services manager Marja-Liisa Väisänen said that finding a job alone may not resolve their situation, as some young people face health challenges.

The other participating cities are Helsinki, Espoo, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Pori, Vantaa, Tampere, Turku and Oulu.