Young specialists flee: communities raise the alarm and are looking for solutions!

Young specialists flee: communities raise the alarm and are looking for solutions!

The emigration of young, qualified people is becoming more and more a worrying problem for many Austrian communities. This applies particularly to rural regions in which young people often do not find attractive perspectives. According to a current study of statistics Austria, the population in the district capital Hollabrunn remains stable, which gave rise to political debates. Mayor and municipal managers are under pressure to find suitable measures to stop these tendencies, such as Noen

throughout Austria, but also in other EU countries, experts observe the so-called "Braindrain", which describes the emigration of specialists. A study by the Sedec Commission of the European Committee of the Regions has investigated the reasons for this. The main problems are the lack of training positions and an inadequate social environment in the affected communities. In many cases, young people in their home communities do not find the necessary incentives to stay there or return. Only about 25% actually return once they are gone. The study emphasizes that municipalities have to go into dialogue early on with youth and know their needs. Economic incentives and the improvement of the local infrastructure could be crucial to attract and maintain quality workers. Important factors are according to Kommunalnet Among other things, the provision of affordable building land and flexible childcare opportunities.

communities in change

In order to slow down the trend towards emigration, municipalities have to develop proactive strategies. This also includes cooperation with local companies and other affected communities. Innovative approaches are required: from administrative relief for the greater to a stronger focus on the expansion of broadband connections in rural regions. Successful projects, as the example of Eschenau in the Grieskirchen district shows, show that committed measures to create jobs and social infrastructure can bring sparkling sparkling into rural development. Municipalities not only have to create jobs, but also invest in social life in order to inspire young people in the long term for their place of residence.