Boosting sustainable growth and quality jobs in Euromed: promoting entrepreneurship and tapping the potential of women and young people

Background

Resilient and thriving enterprises are key for generating sustainable growth and quality employment. However, boosting entrepreneurship is of outmost importance for regions with low connectivity, high unemployment and lower per-capita income and economic performance.

The EESC recognises that there are still challenges to overcome in all Mediterranean countries, including ongoing inter-state and civil war conflicts, substantial migrant flows and climate-change reduced pressures, as well as shortcomings regarding education and training, labour market conditions and access to essential services.

The objective of this own-initiative EESC opinion is to highlight that promoting entrepreneurship and quality job creation in the Mediterranean region is essential to harness the potential of women and young people, foster inclusive economic growth, and strengthen regional partnerships. Emphasizing sustainable sectors, digital transformation, and supportive infrastructures can drive innovation and social progress.

Key points

In the opinion the EESC:

• calls for the identification and removal of gender-related structural barriers in education, labour markets, and entrepreneurship, alongside awareness-raising campaigns to promote the benefits of diversity and to highlight female role models and achievements;
• recommends encouraging girls and women to pursue STEM fields and acquire digital and financial skills, leveraging online and mobile learning to reduce regional disparities and improve equal access to training and education in remote areas;
• calls for improving working conditions and opportunities for young people and women, preventing discrimination and harassment, and enabling their participation and leadership in politics, business, and civil society;
• stresses the necessity of providing women and young entrepreneurs with proper access to finance, infrastructure, natural resources, legal ownership rights, and networks, including innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial hubs, to enable their success.

Additional Information

EESC section: External Relations (REX)

Opinion number: REX/604-EESC-2025

Opinion type: Own-initiative opinion

Rapporteur: Milena Angelova (Employers -GR I/Bulgaria), co-rapporteur: Ioannis Vardakastanis (Civil Society Organisations-GRIII/Greece)

Date of adoption by the section: 9 July 2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 17-18 September 2025

Result of the vote in plenary: 87 in favour/ 0 against/ 5 abstentions

Contact

Millie Tsoumani

Press Officer, Email: amalia.tsoumani@eesc.europa.eu

Adreas Berger

Policy Officer, Email: Andreas.Berger@eesc.europa.eu