Across Hungary, 102 billion HUF in non-refundable EU funding is being allocated to the Economic Development and Innovation Operational Program Plus (EDIOP Plus) for the Youth Guarantee Plus Program. Additionally, HUF 78.4 billion is being used nationwide for the Expansion and Development of the Workforce Supply Program, which helps job seekers aged 30-64 integrate into the open labor market. In Somogy County, these programs receive more than HUF 5 billion and HUF 3.6 billion, respectively.
As part of the 2021-2027 programming period, these initiatives, known as Pillars, aim to increase the visibility of EU-funded projects and showcase their impact to the public. The two key measures of EDIOP Plus—the Youth Guarantee Plus and the Workforce Expansion and Development Program—are being implemented nationwide.
The Youth Guarantee Plus Program is designed to help young people aged 15-29 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) by providing them with job opportunities, work experience, or marketable skills. The program is funded by HUF 102 billion from the European Social Fund Plus. By 2027, an estimated 40,000 young people are expected to benefit from the program. In Somogy County, the Youth Guarantee Program has already received 647 applications, of which 502 have been approved, granting a total of over HUF 527 million in support. The Workforce Expansion and Development Program, with a total funding of HUF 150 billion, aims to integrate approximately 76,900 people, including 5,000 disadvantaged job seekers and inactive individuals. The project focuses on supporting job seekers over 30, economically inactive individuals, disadvantaged groups, employers, and workers transitioning from public employment to the open labor market. This integration is facilitated through a series of interconnected services and financial support mechanisms. In Somogy County, out of the 777 applications submitted under this project, 595 have been approved, providing nearly HUF 635 million in funding. Additionally, registered job seekers can still apply for vocational training programs. In Somogy, six training courses have already been completed, with over 100 participants earning certificates.
(Source: palyazat.gov.hu)
