Spain’s youngsters to receive €2bn boost from the EU

Jobs in Spain for young people have been in short supply in recent years

Spain’s beleaguered youth recently received a welcome boost when the European Union announced that it would be sending between €1.5-€2bn Spain’s way to spend on combating youth unemployment…

The announcement was made by Spain’s Employment Minister Fátima Báñez, who also revealed that as much as six billion euros could be wending its way from the EU’s coffers to Spain over the next few years. The plan is yet to be approved by the European Council, but Spain is confident that all details will be ratified without a hitch.

Báñez met with Spain’s leading labour unions in Madrid, where she was joined by the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, as those present planned how best the money will be spent, which will likely amount to approximately €900 million a year.

It is a bittersweet deal for Spain, which had fought long and hard to shake off its reputation as a drain on the EU. However, with youth unemployment standing at 57 per cent throughout the country, ministers are eager to do all they can to reverse the situation and alleviate the pain being felt by millions.

If the price to pay is a few sneering comments from their European neighbours, then so be it. Spain has always welcomed nationals from all over the world to its shores, and despite its recent struggles has continued to offer only the finest hospitality. If the country’s jobless can be persuaded to stay with the promise of training and potential careers, then Spain’s economy can look to grow and diversify once more.