09 July 2020

Youth from Europe and Central Asia share their views on the Impact of Covid-19 on jobs and entrepreneurship


Youth from 10 countries in Europe and Central Asia joined a regional consultation on the Impact of Covid-19 on jobs and entrepreneurship. COVID-19 restrictions affected many sectors of the economy: transport, tourism, restaurants, agriculture, retail, factories, construction work, arts, music, etc. Many companies needed to reduce their activity or to close their business. Some people – including many young people - lost their jobs. Some could work from home, some got unemployment benefits, others did not. The economic crisis impacted many spheres of society – from digitalization to migration, from globalization to local production, from supply chain issues to cultural diversity, from food safety to environmental concerns. The virtual consultation organised by UNICEF and GEYC explored more in detail these issues.

Starting a business now vs before the COVID19 pandemic

”Nothing will be the same after this crisis”

Key insights from the discussion:

  • The participants acknowledged the challenges connected with finding a job in the pandemic context where only some industries are recruiting: medical and social care, sales and deliveries;

  • Youth entrepreneurship is seen as an alternative to the lack of jobs. Participants identified some arising business opportunities: online shops, delivery, financial services, etc.;

  • The process of creating new jobs and business opportunities has to be sustainable. The participants tackled the importance of sustainable development in the post-Covid19 economic recovery context.


We would like the following participants for their active engagement and great insights:


  • Aleksej Leon Gajica from Croatia,UNICEF Junior Ambassador for the Rights of the Children and Young People

  • Andrijana Mikulovic from Serbia, Opreromasrbija.rs

  • Daniela Cosovan from Moldova, GEYC - Group of the European Youth for Change

  • David Joseph from Italy, U-Report on the Move 

  • Erjon Lleshi from Albania, Ambasadoret e Paqes

  • Gabrijela Ivanjko from Croatia, UNICEF Junior Ambassador for the Rights of the Children and Young People

  • Imran Ibishov from Azerbaijan

  • Jelena Bratić from Serbia

  • Kristijan Lazarev from Republic of North Macedonia

  • Lala Safarli from Azerbaijan

  • Lusine Marutyan from Armenia, Armenian Regional Youth

  • Manzurakhon Abdulazizova from Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Ureport

  • Nina Topic  from Croatia, UNICEF Junior Ambassadors for the Rights of the Children and Young People

  • Saidakhror Khodzhaev from Kyrgyzstan

  • Tamara Ceaicovschi from Moldova, GEYC - Group of the European Youth for Change

  • Todor Antić from Serbia

  • Vaska Andonova from Republic of North Macedonia

We would also like to acknowledge the efforts and support of the UNICEF Country Offices in ECA for identifying and mobilizing the youth delegates.


About the consultations

GEYC is partnering with the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) to conduct a series of youth consultations in the context of the Covid-19 crisis

 

Four (4) online consultations took place on the 7th and 9th of July. During these consultations, young people from the Europe and Central Asia region were invited to share their views on issues of education, employment, mobility, participation, youth experiences and sentiments related to Covid-19, and how to build back better with young people. 

The consultations are being conducted in the context of a joint project by the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (UNICEF ECARO) and the European Training Foundation (ETF), aimed at understanding the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of young people in Europe and Central Asia Region, as well as identifying ways in which young people can be engaged to build resilient, sustainable and digital economies and societies in the post-COVID-19 scenario.