A CRITICAL REVIEW OF YOUTH-ORIENTED POLICIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF YOUTH TRANSITION REGIME

Youth issues have long been a focus of policy in Moldova, despite an uneven trend over time. The aim of the article is to analyze the main policy documents devoted to youth within key policy areas that invest in the development and efficient use of human capital from the perspective of the Youth Transition Regime. A mixed-method approach was applied: situation and contextual analysis, review and analysis of policy documents, reports and studies targeting young people. The review and analysis of policy framework has revealed that although youth issues are promoted through various policies, there is a lack of an integrated approach and a comprehensive evaluation mechanism on the implementation of youth policies, including cross-sectoral dimension. Youth-related policies falls into a transitional regime characterized by an integrated education system, high rate of early leavers from education and training, high level of youth rate Not in Education Employment or Training – NEET, low popularity/prominence of Vocational Education and Training, poor concordance between the education system and the labour market. The evaluation of policy measures intended to facilitate the transition of young people to adulthood shows that individualized and compensatory approaches predominate. Policy actions are focused mainly on youth skills development and less on structural policy measures in crosssectoral areas. There is a need to review and adapt youth policies and strategies to the current and real needs of youth by promoting participatory approaches that would reflect the diversity of youth in Moldova, especially in socially vulnerable groups.