Harnessing talent in Europe’s regions

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 17 January 2023, setting out its approach to tackle the so-called talent development trap in certain regions of the European Union (EU).

Further information:

The population in the EU is ageing and birth rates have been declining since the 1960s. Several regions in the EU face the problem of intense departure of their young and skilled workforce. The EU is witnessing the shrinking of its working age population. Most Member States are affected, but some regions are more acutely impacted than others. If left unaddressed, this process threatens to trigger fresh territorial disparities.

This Communication focuses on regions that are facing a sharp working age population decline in combination with a low and stagnating share of people with a tertiary education, as well as region experiencing a significant departure of young people. It outlines targeted measures to promote, retain and attract talent to transform all regions into dynamic talent-driven locations. Such measures are underpinned by a dedicated Talent Booster Mechanism aimed at supporting the design and implementation of targeted regional and territorial strategies that are based on regions’ specific situation and assets, and by the ambitious implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas, together with targeted use of existing EU funds

The Communication was adopted by the European Commission on 17 January 2023 as the first key deliverable of the European Year of Skills.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Official

European Commission: Priorities 2019-2024: The impact of demographic change in Europe https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/new-push-european-democracy/impact-demographic-change-europe_en

European Commission: Press Release, 17/01/2023: Harnessing Talent in Europe: a new boost for EU Regions https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_145

European Commission: Questions and Answers on Harnessing Talent in Europe's Regions and the Demography Report (17 January 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_149

European Commission: Remarks by Vice-President Šuica on Harnessing Talents Initiative and the Demography Report (17 January 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_251

---