Caritas Cares. What this report is about. About Caritas Germany. Poverty and social exclusion among young people Germany Report.

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1 What this report is about Caritas Cares Poverty and social exclusion among young people Germany Report September 2017 This report describes the main challenges related to poverty and social inclusion among young people in Germany and provides recommendations for policy makers to address these challenges. The recommendations are based on an analysis of the grass-roots experience of Germany, which is compared to official data. About Caritas Germany Caritas Germany is one of the biggest welfare institutions in Germany. It has services and institutions in nearly all social fields: healthcare, children and youth, families, elderly persons, people with disabilities and others. A special focus of Caritas s activities is directed towards the poor and socially excluded. In 2014, members of the association reached a total of 11,939,936 beneficiaries through its services, including people living in care homes in Germany (Caritas Zentralstatistik, ). Specific services and institutions for families (e.g. women s homes, family holidays, and care for families, counselling services for families, multi-generational homes and early help) reached 540,231 people. That is 4.5% of all beneficiaries. Specific institutions and services for children and youth reached another 1,364,649 people, i.e. 11.4% of the beneficiaries. More young people are reached through other Caritas institutions and services, such as general counselling services; access to education, training or employment; community volunteering; food support and others. Recent reports and position papers by Caritas Germany can be found under Institutional representative: Name: Dr Thomas Becker thomas.becker@caritas.de Contact tel Press contact: Name: Dr Verena Liessem verena.liessem@caritas.de Contact tel

2 Germany s main challenges related to poverty and social exclusion among young people 1 : DISCONNECTED YOUTH: An increasing number of young people lose the connection to all safety nets and the labour market. The division of labour within the social assistance systems creates dangerous gaps for the most vulnerable. YOUNG OFFENDERS: Often young offenders live in difficult living circumstances and are socially disadvantaged. It is important to break the circle of exclusion. EARLY SCHOOL LEAVERS AND DROPOUTS: Poor quality education is one of the biggest risks for poverty in Germany. Pupils without a certificate of secondary education have significant problems on the labour market and in accessing apprenticeship positions. HUMAN TRAFFICKING: There is little public awareness of the trafficking of young people. The identification of potential victims is difficult. Particular victims of trafficking, other than those who are sexually exploited, are often neither recognised nor supported in a targetoriented manner. Policy recommendations: Youth population: 14.2 million Young people: 17.2% (EU average: 17.4%) Early school leavers: 10.2% (EU average: 10.7%) Youth Unemployment: 6.1% (EU average: 14.7%) Housing cost overburden: 55.7% (EU average: 40.4%) Young people, Unemployment & School leavers: 2016; Housing cost, Latest available data - accessed 18/05/ Improve the cooperation between social assistance systems for young people in order to tackle the syndrome of disconnected youths. Support low-threshold services. 2. Cancel discriminatory sanctions for young people in the minimum benefit scheme. 3. Combine vocational training and re-integration for young offenders in a continuum between inside and outside the prison environment. 4. Create cooperative structures in local areas and in communities, to support children and youth from early on, include the parents, offer social work at schools and invest in vocational preparation. 5. Identify victims of human trafficking systematically. React quickly at any sign of exploitation, considering the specific needs, such as accommodation or suitable psychosocial support. Minors have to be accommodated appropriately for children and youths at each step of the procedure for granting the right of asylum; and provide support through specialized counselling services 1 In Germany young people are considered all people aged under 27. For the purpose of this report young people are considered people aged 14 to 26. The source of the data in the box is from Eurostat, consulted on 12/05/2017, from the latest available data. 2

3 1. Poverty and social exclusion among young people in Germany: the reality behind the data The problems of most concern in Germany Coordination in youth assistance Poor quality education Coordination in the Youth Assistance System The responsibility in the assistance systems for young people is frequently ambiguous. Sometimes, it also changes. There is the Youth Assistance (Jugendhilfe), the Job Centre and the Labour Agency (Arbeitsagentur), all of which provide specific services for young people. The Youth Assistance (Jugendhilfe) is, in general, only targeted at young people aged 21 and younger. The responsibility may be extended but, practically, the help ends at 21 years, even if the young person is not able to care for him- or herself and family support is weak. If the young person lives by her/himself or in a household on minimum income benefits, the Job Centre is responsible and, therefore, the young person is entitled to assistance measures. When this entitlement to minimum income ends, the responsibility of the Job Centre ends too and the Labour Agency becomes responsible. In addition, a municipal agency might be responsible when there is an entitlement for housing support. This means that the young people may lose their contact partner in the administration over time and will have to cope with a lot of bureaucracy. New contact persons have to get to know the young person and his/her life story. This in turn may overstrain young people in need of support and make it difficult to have a trusting relationship, which is often the key to efficient and successful help. BOX 1. Access to minimum income schemes and other benefits Currently, minimum income schemes or other benefits that are available to young people are: Minimum income Unemployment benefit Scholarship support Housing benefit Disability benefit Child allowance Alimony Additional child allowance In general, the systems are adequate. However, there are specific problems within most of these schemes regarding the limit of the benefit, access to the schemes or the support offered. For details please check the position paper of Caritas Germany under this link. Poor quality education 3

4 Poor quality education is one of the biggest risks for poverty in Germany, mainly because it severely affects young people s access to employment. People with a low level of formal education face a much higher risk of poverty than people with a medium or high level of formal education: 31.5% versus 12.4% and 5.8% respectively. 2 In 2015, early school-leavers represented 9.8% of all pupils in Germany. 5.9% of these pupils left school without a certificate of secondary education (Hauptschulabschluss). At local level (Kreisebene), there are big differences: in Landkreis Main-Spessart, 1.7% of the pupils did not have a certificate of secondary education, in Mansfeld-Südharz 15.6%. Also at the level of the Regions (Länder) there are differences: in Hessen it was 4.2% and in Sachsen-Anhalt 9.9%. 3 This shows that there is much potential to improve the results. Transmission of poverty The transmission of poverty from childhood to young people to adulthood is an issue of concern. The educational achievement of a child in Germany is affected by his/her social background. The transition to working life is easier with a higher level of formal education and also the probability of getting a good job is greater. In this way, the risk of poverty of a person is to a great extent determined by his/her social background. The transmission of poverty leads to growing social segregation in society. This may also threaten the solidarity of society and its overall social cohesion. 2 Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (2017): Lebenslagen in Deutschland, 5. Armuts- und Reichtumsbericht der Bundesregierung, 3 Deutscher Caritasverband, 2017: Bildungschancen, 4

5 Young people at higher risk of poverty Disconnected youth Young offenders Victims of human trafficking Disconnected youth A Disconnected Youth group of young people has been identified, characterized by complex social problems whilst having lost their connection to social security and social assistance systems. They often live in precarious living circumstances and housing conditions and may have addiction and/or mental health problems. In addition, many have lost the connection to their families. Caritas observes that more and more young people are coming to its institutions for homeless people. In 2016, 23.3% of the clients in institutions and services for homeless people of the League of Welfare Institutions in the region of Rheinland-Pfalz (one of the Länder) were aged under 30 and 13.2% were aged under The number of disconnected youth can only be estimated because they have lost their contact to the social protection systems. A study from 2015 estimated their number at 21, Most of these young people had been in contact with the social protection system, but then broke the relationship or were in danger of breaking it. In addition, they had usually left school or apprenticeship and lost contact with their social networks. A practical problem in the work with these young people is that they are in need of a combination of services, such as youth assistance, support for homeless people, Job Centre and assistance for addicted people. The coordination of these systems is often deficient (see also the section on Coordination in the Youth Assistance Systems). An additional big problem is the high sanctions within the minimum income schemes. Sanctions are imposed when beneficiaries do not make use of all the possibilities to end or minimize their need of minimum income assistance. This means, for example, that beneficiaries have to accept reasonable jobs, apprenticeships or labour market measures. Furthermore, also minor violations of obligations, like failures to report, may lead to sanctions. Sanctions mean a progressive loss of minimum income. For young people the sanctions are harder, and they lose their minimum income faster. This policy increases the probability that young people break contact with the social assistance systems. Young offenders Of 2.36 million criminal suspects in Germany in 2016, 730,000 were aged between 14 and 24. When transgressions of the immigration law are excluded, of the 2.02 million criminal suspects in 2016, 592,000 were aged between 14 and 24. Overall, three 4 Liga der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege in Rheinland-Pfalz, Stichtagserhebung Wohnunglose und von Wohnungslosigkeit bedrohte Menschen in Rheinland-Pfalz, 13 Mai Deutsches Jugendinstitut (2015), Entkoppelt vom System - Jugendliche am Übergang ins junge Erwachsenenalter und Herausforderungen für Jugendhilfestrukturen. 5

6 quarters of all suspects were male. 6 Most criminal behaviour by young people is episodic and represents minor offences. However, a small group of young people infringes the law repeatedly and commits major crimes. A recent study on young violent offenders shows that they often live in difficult circumstances and are socially disadvantaged. They have already experienced many ruptures in their personal history. 7 At the same time, the degree of the penalty depends on the social prospects of the offender. The social prospects of young people in difficult living circumstances, however, are more negative than those of others. In turn, they go more often to prison, which further increases the risks of poverty and social exclusion. Victims of human trafficking There is little public awareness of the trafficking of young people, as well as little data on the phenomenon. Human trafficking can take different forms: sexual exploitation, labour exploitation as well as, for example, forcing people to beg or steal data on sexual exploitation shows that 54% of the victims were aged under Experts recognise that there is a high estimated number of undetected or unreported cases of human trafficking. The identification of potential victims is difficult. Particular victims of trafficking, other than those who are sexually exploited, are often neither recognised nor supported in a targetoriented manner. 9 Testimony Berlin police focussed attention on a woman from Nigeria whose documents stated that she was aged 25. She was living in Germany without a residence permit. The police suspected a case of human trafficking and contacted the counselling service of IN VIA Berlin. At first, the woman came into custody pending deportation but then it was recognized that she was aged 17 at the most. She was then housed in accommodation for unaccompanied minors. The member of the counselling service was able to speak to the young woman during the custody pending deportation and visited her on a regular basis in the accommodation for unaccompanied minors. After eight or nine months, she relayed what had happened to her. When she was thirteen years old, she came to Paris as an asylum seeker. From then on, she was sexually exploited for years in France and later in Germany. After she talked to the member of the counselling service, the counselling service could help her secure her rights of victim protection and residence. Within a refugee context, (unaccompanied) minors are a group in need of special protection. Exploitation often begins in their country of origin or during their flight, and it continues in Germany. Services for victims of human trafficking are registering a rising number of exploited young asylum seekers and refugees. 10 The risk of young refugees becoming victims of human trafficking further increases when they live in the same accommodation as the perpetrators. Moreover, they may not have enough information about their legal protection, entitlements and assistance (No personal details mentioned for reasons of confidentiality) 6 Bundeskriminalamt (2016), Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik. 7 Jana Meier (2015), Deutsches Jugendinstitut, Jugendliche Gewalttäter zwischen Jugendhilfe- und krimineller Karriere. 8 Bundeskriminalamt, Menschenhandel, Bundeslagebild 2015, data: closed cases of the Police, ECPAT Deutschland, 2016, Fokus Vormundschaften, Ein Bericht zur Situation von minderjährigen Opfern von Menschenhandel in Deutschland. 10 Bundesweiter Koordinierungskreis gegen Menschenhandel (KOK), 2016, Flucht und Menschenhandel, Schutz- und Unterstützungsstrukturen für Frauen und Minderjährige. 6

7 structures. Furthermore, the exploitation of children and youth by accompanying supposed relatives, with whom they immigrated, is often not detected. 11 Rights that young people have more difficulties in actualising Right to education Right to health Young people in Germany who are most affected by poverty and social exclusion, the so-called disconnected youth have more difficulty in securing the following rights: Education, health care, housing, basic needs and democratic participation in society. This is a consequence of the fact that they are characterized by a range of complex social problems and loose contact with the social systems (see also the chapter on disconnected youth). The right to healthcare and the right to education are difficult to attain for young offenders. Education in prison faces the challenge of fitting the educational content and process to the length of the penalty. Although education is offered in prison, mostly there is no provision for the ex-offender s transition back into society. Although it is generally desirable that Testimony F. was regularly beaten by his father until he was 13. He either couldn t go to school or didn t like going to school because he didn t want to reveal his bruises. Also, he disturbed the lessons. He left his regular school and went to a special class of Caritas for truants at Schwerin. They cared for him and after a while he completed his certificate of secondary education. However, he had still severe difficulty in getting an apprenticeship for his desired job. (No personal details mentioned for reasons of confidentiality) sentences are short, this may prevent young offenders from doing their full apprenticeship in prison. This is especially relevant because they often lack the certificate of secondary education, which they have to achieve first. Therefore, it is important that apprenticeships, which begin in prison, can be continued post prison. Medical care is organized and carried out in prison. However, the scope of benefits is, in practice, more limited than those outside of prison. 11 Deutsches Komitee für UNICEF e.v. (2016), UNICEF-Lagebericht - Zur Situation von Flüchtlingskindern in Deutschland. 7

8 BOX 2. Ratification and implementation of the European Social Charter related to young people GERMANY has ratified the majority of Articles of the 1961 European Social Charter. Some of the following Articles have not yet been ratified and could have an impact on the social inclusion of young people: The obligation to recognise the right of workers to a remuneration such as will give them and their families a decent standard of living (Article 4.4); The obligation to provide that the minimum age of admission to employment shall be 15 years, subject to exceptions for children employed in prescribed light work without harm to their health, morals or education (Article 7.1); The right of employed women to maternity protection (Articles 8.2, 8.4); The right to provide or promote, as necessary, special measures for the retraining and reintegration of the long-term unemployed (Article 10.4). Germany has NOT YET RATIFIED the Additional Protocol providing for a System of Collective Complaints. Refer to this link for more information on the provisions accepted by Germany. FACTSHEET: Germany and the European Social Charter 8

9 How effective are Germany s policies to fight poverty and social exclusion among young people? Policies that are having a positive impact Policies Education policies combating early schoolleaving and early drop-outs Criminal law relating to young offenders Access to affordable childcare Reasons why they are being effective Education policy in Germany is a regional competency (Länder). There are several programmes, which aim at better quality teaching, better educational results and/or a higher competency at reading and speaking. In general this law is focussed on education and gives the justice system the necessary leeway to order meaningful measures. There is a right to childcare for children aged one year and above. Parents with a low income (irrespective of age) pay lower fees. Childcare may help parents go to work, and young parents can finish their apprenticeships or studies. Policies that have a limited impact The following policies are having a limited impact in fighting poverty and social exclusion among young people: Policies Help for young adults ( 41 SGB VIII) and social work for youths ( 13 SGB VIII) Age restriction in the criminal law relating to young offenders ( 105 JGG) Access to affordable housing Gaps or reasons why they are not being effective Both instruments are considered good when working with disconnected youth. However, they have to be applied more regularly and throughout the country. The criminal law relating to young offenders can be used up to the age of 21. This is positive (see above). However, this is applied very differently in the Länder. The percentage of young offenders sentenced according to it, ranges between 50 and almost 90 per cent. There are housing benefits (for all age groups) and social housing. This contributes to make housing affordable. However, there are difficulties because in some cities or regions there is still too little affordable housing. For people who are homeless there are services and homes for the homeless. 9

10 Example of a policy with a negative impact related to young people Sanctions for young people in the minimum income scheme are more severe than those for others. They mean a faster loss of minimum income before its complete withdrawal. This results in material deprivation and increases the danger of disconnection from the social systems. The use of EU funds in Germany to combat youth poverty and social exclusion The European Social Fund (ESF) is contributing to a reduction in poverty and social exclusion among young people. Several ESF programmes at the federal and regional level target young people at risk of social exclusion and poverty. Community-based projects which focus on young people and their social environment have a positive impact, as well as targeted support for school leavers and unemployed young people. ESF funding is an integral part of Caritas social work for young people ( Jugendsozialarbeit ). The ESF is also contributing to reducing the transmission of poverty to young people. Several ESF targeted measures focus on the education of young people and support them during their vocational training. Successful transition periods, e.g. from school to vocational education and from vocational education to the labour market, are crucial for the wellbeing of young people. The ESF can be used to support young people during these periods. The following improvements to the management of the ESF could help to ensure it better promotes the social inclusion of young people and/or prevents the transmission of poverty. Caritas organisations which use ESF funding in Germany complain that the management (application, administration, reporting) of the ESF is too complicated, especially for smaller projects. Too much time and financial resources have to be used for the administration of ESF grants. Projects which focus on minors face even more administrative burdens. Each project participant has to fill in a questionnaire of several pages and provide very sensitive data. For minors, their parents have to sign this documentation. As the language of the questionnaire is not accessible without further explanation by a social worker, and as sensitive data has to be provided, parents sometimes refuse to sign. In this case, the providers cannot count the participant for reporting purposes and no funding is granted to this specific participant. 10

11 Example of an effective programme financed by the ESF that has had a positive impact on the reduction of poverty and social exclusion or the prevention of the transmission of poverty to young people. Haftvermeidung durch soziale Integration (avoiding prison through social inclusion) The network of several different public and private actors in the Brandenburg region supports ex-offenders after they have been released from prison. Caritas is part of the HSI network, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of the Land Brandenburg. (Young) offenders are supported through counselling services, the possibility of working as their punishment, as well as social inclusion and employment related measures. The target groups are supported in their personal development, the improvement of their employability, and their (re-)integration in the educational system and the labour market. The risk of committing other crimes is reduced through targeted support offers. The ESF funded network supports communication and dialogue between the different partners, helps to improve and develop the quality of their work, and provides an online information tool as well as a databank. Jugend stärken im Quartier (strengthening young people in their neighbourhoods) This federal ESF programme supports young people in neighbourhoods where many poor and excluded families live. These neighbourhoods are often characterised by high unemployment rates, poor education of the inhabitants, and many migrants. The ESF has funded projects in these areas with 115 million. The programme focuses on young people between the age of 12 and 26 who have little or no access to established measures and the social security system. The ESF supports these NEETs, early school leavers and newly immigrated young people through low-level social inclusion measures, such as case management, street work, micro projects to improve the neighbourhood, etc.). In these ESF projects, all relevant actors in the targeted neighbourhoods work together and put the young people in their social environment at the core of each project. Other EU funding schemes that are contributing positively to reducing poverty and social exclusion in Germany relative to young people: Next to ESF funding, the German implementation of FEAD is another good example of how to contribute positively to reducing poverty and social exclusion. As Germany has opted for a social inclusion programme (OP II), FEAD focuses on three target groups: EU migrants, the children of EU migrants, and homeless people. FEAD funded projects provide these target groups with counselling, outreach work and targeted social work. The targeted groups are far from accessing the labour market and also have no access to the established social security system. The goal of all measures is to build a bridge to the established systems, such as Caritas counselling services, public social benefit schemes, etc. Young children of migrated parents, who are not yet in school or day care facilities, benefit especially from FEAD funding. 11

12 2. The response of Caritas: promising practices that help to combat poverty and social exclusion among youth Koordinations- und Beratungsstellen für Frauen, die von Menschenhandel betroffen sind in Berlin und im Land Brandenburg, IN VIA Katholischer Verband für Mädchenund Frauensozialarbeit für das Erzbistum Berlin Coordination and counselling services for women who are victims of human trafficking in Berlin and Brandenburg, IN VIA Catholic Association of services for girls and women for the Archdiocese of Berlin These counselling services support girls and women who are victims of human trafficking. Nearly half of all clients, at the last count, were girls aged between 12 and 18; all of whom had been or were being sexually exploited. Only a small number of them are German citizens, many had emigrated from West African states like Nigeria and Guinea, some are Roma, amongst others from Romania. At the core of the service is the support and counselling of the girls and women concerned as well as their relatives. The topics of counselling are, for example, psychosocial intervention, questions regarding the right of residence or social jurisdiction, the clients are accompanied to the public authorities or courts and supported in the search for suitable and secure accommodation. Moreover, the staff helps them to find suitable education and/or a job. Two of the staff members work as streetworkers to ensure low-threshold access. Moreover, the counselling services engage in prevention through education, and in the training of employees of similar institutions who might be in contact with victims of human trafficking, and aims to sensitise and qualify them for their intervention service. Problem addressed Help for victims of human trafficking. Results To quote Ms Eritt from the counselling service: A positive result of our direct work can be when parents come forward pre-emptively and when girls concerned approach one of the staff of the counselling service and begin to trust them. A success is, for example, when victims of human trafficking live afterwards in a good relationship, go to school or get the right of residence." Innovative features & success factors Cooperation with the police, the justice system, the prosecution, accessory prosecutors, youth welfare officers, custodians, NGO s, schools and so on is a key success factor. 12

13 Link to the website of this initiative Description Name: Förderband e.v. Deficiencies in concentration, learning difficulties and limited powers of endurance are only some of the obstacles which make it nearly impossible for young people to finish school or to finish an apprenticeship. The staff of Förderband work to enhance the opportunities of these young people. The support of Förderband encompasses private lessons, classic vocational preparation, a private school, accompanying support, mediation into apprenticeship and supervision during the apprenticeship. For more than 30 years Förderband has worked to enable young people in Mannheim to access vocational training. Approximately 800 youths per year use the services of Förderband. At the centre of their service are young people who have almost no chance at regular education, nor in the apprenticeship market. Because they have difficulties in school, they get individual support, such that they are able to learn the relevant theory. The practical work in the companies is easier for them. But also here some of the young people have difficulty with commitment and motivation. Förderband accompanies the young people, supports them and mediates on their behalf with their teachers and companies. The young people get practical help and support but also life orientation. Problem addressed Educational problems and support during apprenticeships Results Facilitate the transition to working life through enabling disadvantaged young people to successfully complete an apprenticeship. Web link: 13

14 3. Recommendations to address the described problems Recommendation 1: Better cooperation between social assistance systems for young people; support low-threshold services Problem addressed if implemented: Disconnection of youth, service integration between social assistance systems. Governmental department or responsible institution that could lead this measure: State actors at three levels state, regional, municipal (Bundesgesetzgeber, Länder, Kommunen); agencies of the different assistance systems. Main arguments supporting this measure: The creation of a reliable assistance system, with dependable contact persons, that provide support to young people in need and at risk of exclusion will better enable the development of trust between the care provider and the young person. This relationship of trust is paramount in order to avoid the syndrome of disconnectedness from all existing social protection systems, which has been identified as a major challenge when integrating vulnerable youth. To reach disconnected young people, it is important to have low-threshold services. International Policy framework: This measure corresponds to Target 1.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set to be accomplished by 2030: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems ( ). How the European Commission could support this measure: Synergies between the European Structural Funds, especially the ESF and ERDF, should be better applied. To tackle problems of the interaction between the FEAD and ESF, an integrated approach should be developed for the next funding period, e.g. through an integrated monitoring committee for both funds. Projects should be able to use a combination of FEAD and ESF funding to promote social inclusion measures and labour market integration measures at the same time. Recommendation 2: Cancellation of discriminatory sanctions in benefits for young people Problem addressed if implemented: Disconnected young people, youth poverty. Governmental department or responsible institution that could lead this measure: Parliament (Bundestag). Main arguments supporting this measure: Discriminatory sanctions may lead to a disconnection of young people from the assistance systems. 14

15 International Policy framework: This measure corresponds to Target 1.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set to be accomplished by 2030: to reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. How the European Commission could support this measure: By providing tailored policy guidance (e.g. Country Reports, Country Specific Recommendations) that addresses the risks of disconnected young people. Recommendation 3: Combine vocational training and integration for young offenders in a continuum between inside and outside the prison environment Governmental department or responsible institution that could lead this measure: Educational institutions; school authorities; educational services in prison. Main arguments supporting this measure: Young offenders must be able to finish their apprenticeships or schooling. To that end actors inside and outside of the prison system must cooperate in order to establish a smooth transition. This would lead to better education, more inclusion and the reduced risk of poverty. International Policy framework: This measure corresponds to Target 8.6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. How the European Commission could support this measure: By providing tailored policy guidance (e.g. Country Reports, Country Specific Recommendations) that addresses the situation of young offenders. In addition, a collection of good practices across Europe could be helpful. Recommendation 4: Create cooperative structures in local areas and in communities, to support children and youth from early on, include the parents, offer social work at schools and invest in vocational preparation Problem addressed if implemented: Young people without a certificate of secondary education. Governmental department or responsible institution that could lead this measure: Municipalities, educational institutions, schools, welfare work, enterprises. Main arguments supporting this measure: A study by Caritas has shown that municipalities working according to these recommendations decrease the rates of 15

16 young people without certificates of secondary education, when compared to other municipalities. 12 International Policy framework: This measure corresponds to the following targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); set to be accomplished by 2030: Target 4.3 Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. Target 4.4: Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. How the European Commission could support this measure: By providing tailored policy guidance (e.g. Country Reports, Country Specific Recommendations) that addresses the situation of young people without a certificate of secondary education. Recommendation 5: Identify victims of human trafficking and offer immediate response to their complex needs Problem addressed if implemented: Victims of human trafficking have to be systematically identified. If there are signs of exploitation, a rapid reaction to their specific needs is required as soon as possible. This includes accommodation and/or suitable psychosocial support. Minors have to be accommodated appropriately for children and youths at each step of the procedure for granting the right of asylum; and support specialized counselling services. Governmental department or responsible institution that could lead this measure: Federal government; the governments of the federal States (Länder); preliminary reception centres; police; counselling services for asylum seekers; youth assistance systems; and municipalities. Main arguments supporting this measure: Identification and prompt reaction is important to help victims of human trafficking. Suitable accommodation helps to separate them from (potential) perpetrators. Specialized counselling services inform victims of their rights and existing offers of help. Furthermore, they support the people concerned in securing their rights. International Policy framework: This measure corresponds to Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure

17 the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour ( ) and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms. How the European Commission could support this measure: Facilitate access to EU funding programmes to combat trafficking of human beings, such as Rights, Equality and Citizenship (Daphne) and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and open these programmes to small grassroots NGOs through accessible language, a non-bureaucratic approach and small but informative manuals. Disclaimer The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. Caritas Europa reserves the right to not be held responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided in this publication. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected. This publication has received financial support from the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation "EaSI" ( ). For further information please consult: 17