ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the economic situation of the countries in Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia and looks into the specific situation of unemployment of young women and men. It provides an overview of youth unemployment and self-employment in the transition countries and some of the programmes designed to promote youth employment and entrepreneurship. Employment conditions in the informal economy are highly exploitative; however, it often provides the first and only job opportunity for young people. A coherent youth entrepreneurship policy should be embedded in an overall youth employment policy which should always be taken into consideration when governments take decisions in social and economic matters. Awareness raising programmes at primary and secondary school levels with the aim of familiarizing pupils with the philosophy of entrepreneurship by developing beliefs, behaviours and motivation will have a long-term effect and have a positive influence on enterprise culture.
