| Abstract [eng] |
Cooperation between non-governmental organizations and local government institutions is considered an important prerequisite for effective public governance, citizen involvement in decision-making, and ensuring higher quality public services (Šilinskytė, 2015; Bučaitė-Vilkė, 2019). Although legal regulation provides opportunities for such interaction, in practice there remain coordination gaps, a dominance of formality, and limited institutional trust (Civinskas, Lazauskienė et al., 2019). Due to their flexibility, adaptability to changing circumstances, and strong ties with local communities, NGOs effectively implement specialized services and social initiatives (Rybak, 2024). Youth employment is one of the areas where the role of NGOs is particularly prominent. These organizations are able to respond quickly to the needs of young people and offer solutions based on the principles of inclusion, social equality, and economic sustainability. Cross-sectoral cooperation in this area is viewed as a necessary factor in developing complex employment strategies adapted to local communities (Čeponienė and Jakštienė, 2024; Ngai et al., 2023). Partnerships enable the pooling of resources, competencies, and knowledge from different sectors, which enhances youth empowerment in the labor market. Researchers (Šilinskytė, 2013; Guogis, Šapanienė et al., 2021) emphasize the importance of cooperation, but research findings show that in practice it often does not go beyond formal structures. Other authors (Doucet et al., 2024; Rybak, 2024; Bano, 2019) highlight a lack of trust, an imbalance of financial and human resources, and limited integration between sectors as the main challenges. In response to these challenges, researchers (Kluve et al., 2016; Zhu et al., 2022) propose combining efforts across sectors by emphasizing both investment and problem-solving approaches to improving youth employment. The research problem – how can cooperation between local authorities and non-governmental organizations in Tauragė District Municipality contribute to promoting youth employment? The object of the research is the cooperation between local government and non-governmental organizations in promoting youth employment. The aim of the final thesis is to identify the cooperation opportunities between local government and non-governmental organizations in promoting youth employment in Tauragė District Municipality. To achieve this aim, three objectives have been set: 1) to conduct a theoretical analysis of cooperation between local government and non-governmental organizations in promoting youth employment; 2) to examine international and national legal documents regulating cooperation in the field of youth employment; 3) to investigate the cooperation opportunities between local government and non-governmental organizations in promoting youth employment in Tauragė District Municipality. The study was designed as an applied (empirical) research, in which methods such as analysis of scientific literature, content analysis of international and national strategic documents and legislation, and semi-structured interviews were applied. A semi-structured interview method was applied for data collection. Interviews were conducted with employees of Tauragė District Municipality, NGO representatives, and Employment Service specialists working directly in the field of youth employment. Respondents were selected based on the principle of convenience sampling – individuals who were more accessible but relevant to the research topic and capable of providing comprehensive and meaningful information. Data analysis was conducted using the qualitative content analysis method. The empirical study revealed that cooperation between Tauragė District Municipality and NGOs in the field of youth employment is based on long-term partnership, trust, voluntary involvement, and resource sharing. Joint initiatives contribute not only to increasing youth employment but also to strengthening young people’s social, emotional, and professional skills. Cooperation most often occurs through formal agreements and joint project implementation, but flexible, trust-based communication also plays an important role. The study also identified several key challenges, such as communication gaps between partners, financial uncertainty, excessive bureaucracy, and insufficient feedback. The first chapter of the thesis analyzes the concepts of cooperation between local government and non-governmental organizations found in scientific literature, their functions in public governance, and theoretical perspectives on the significance of youth employment and ways to promote it. The second chapter examines international and national strategic and legal documents regulating the principles of cross-sectoral cooperation and youth employment enhancement. The third chapter presents the research methodology, analyzes the current state of cooperation between local authorities and NGOs in Tauragė District Municipality, and presents the results of the semi-structured interview data analysis. At the end of the final project, conclusions and recommendations are formulated. The final project ends with lists of scientific literature and information sources. |
