"REGIO AKTIV" – Youth Welfare Advisors in Youth Career Agencies (JUBE)

The "REGIO AKTIV" program – Funding Area I "Youth Welfare Advisors in Youth Career Agencies (JUBE)" – is aimed at districts and independent cities in Saxony-Anhalt. The goal is to improve cooperation between the social codes (SGB II, III, VIII) in youth career agencies and to optimize advice for young people transitioning from school to working life. The funding is geographically limited to Saxony-Anhalt and serves to strengthen regional labor market policy.

Funding is provided for the deployment of youth welfare advisors in youth career agencies. These specialists take on additional, non-mandatory tasks to support youth career agencies in terms of content and organization. Eligible activities include a wide range of tasks to improve cooperation and quality assurance in the transition from school to work. Personnel expenses for these advisors are eligible for funding, while the purchase of depreciable equipment and buildings, as well as certain voluntary benefits, are not funded.

The program offers financial support in the form of non-repayable grants. The amount of funding is based on eligible expenses, with up to one full-time equivalent for youth welfare advisors per territorial authority being funded. A co-financing contribution from the districts and independent cities is required, which can also be provided by covering indirect expenses. Projects can be funded for a period of up to six years, with the possibility of extension.

Funding is subject to various conditions, including the establishment of a youth career agency and the professional suitability of the personnel employed. Specific regulations apply regarding the state aid classification as a service of general economic interest to ensure compatibility with the internal market. Applicants are also subject to comprehensive cooperation and reporting obligations, as well as compliance with publicity requirements.

The application for the JUBE funding area is submitted directly to the State Administration Office of Saxony-Anhalt. It is a single-stage procedure without a prior competitive process by the Regional Working Group. The disbursement of grants takes place no earlier than after the grant decision becomes final, with advance payments possible. The use of funds must be documented by regular factual and numerical evidence.

The legal basis of the "REGIO AKTIV" program is the Directive on the Regionalization of Labor Market Promotion, supplemented by various EU regulations and state law provisions. These regulations ensure the legitimacy and framework for program implementation, especially with regard to EU funding and state aid.