On 23 October 2025, during the Final Conference of YourJob II financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the findings of the External Final Review of the project “YourJob II – Youth Overcoming Unemployment Regionally through Job Opportunities on the Balkans” were presented. The review assessed the project’s relevance, effectiveness, and impact, while also outlining recommendations for future phases.
Conducted between April and July 2025, the evaluation followed OECD-DAC criteria, the ADA Evaluation Policy, and a Human Rights-Based Approach, with a strong focus on gender equality and social inclusion. A mixed methods approach was applied, combining surveys with youth beneficiaries, employers, and partners, alongside interviews, focus groups, desk review, and field visits across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia.
The review confirms that YourJob II is highly relevant in the context of persistent youth unemployment in the Western Balkans, particularly among vulnerable groups and in rural areas. Through an integrated model of career counselling, skills training, internships, and entrepreneurship support, the project reached over 4,500 young people, with an 87% satisfaction rate.
In terms of impact, 61% of supported youth remained employed after completing the programme, while all supported businesses continued operating one year later. Beyond employment outcomes, the project generated meaningful psychosocial benefits, including increased self-confidence, motivation, and social inclusion.
The evaluation concludes that YourJob II has successfully achieved its objectives, demonstrating that inclusive and locally grounded approaches can deliver sustainable results. The project has created a strong foundation for scaling up its impact and further strengthening youth employment systems across the region.
