EU starts timely program to help its young people

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker knows only too well that obstacles to European integration have to be removed to reassure the youth, who are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the economic downturn, of the advantages of the European project.

The European Commission has taken a timely initiative, the European Solidarity Corps, to offer 100,000 youths from European Union member states the opportunity to be placed by 2020 with a project either for volunteering or for a traineeship, an apprenticeship or a job for a period of two to 12 months.

On Wednesday, youths between 17 and 30 years of age can start registering for the project. Against the backdrop of multiple crises and increasing social disruptions in the EU and beyond, Juncker has set an example of visionary leadership by rolling out an initiative aimed at helping young people and strengthening EU solidarity.