2027 Budget: Local missions warn against further cuts to social and professional support for young people

As the 2027 budget decisions approach, the National Union of Local Missions (UNML) calls on the government to preserve the resources devoted to the social and professional integration of young people aged 16 to 25.

"Investing in youth support is not an expense, it is a strategic choice for the economic and social future of the country," the organization wrote in a statement published Wednesday.

“Every euro invested in supporting young people generates substantial long-term savings by reducing social costs related to unemployment, welfare, or more generally, precariousness.” emphasizes the National Union of Local Missions.

Two successive budget cuts in 2025 and 2026

Local missions had already seen their funding reduced by 5,8% in 2025. For 2026, the draft state budget initially provided for a further reduction of 13%, ultimately reduced to 8% during budget discussions.

These successive reductions have resulted in the elimination of "nearly 1.100 jobs", according to the UNML.

“Today, the network has no room for maneuver: a further reduction will jeopardize the quality of human support” for young people. the organization warns.

Local missions provide comprehensive support that goes beyond simply finding a job. Their advisors also address training, career guidance, housing, health, mobility, and access to rights—all difficulties that can hinder professional integration.

An unemployment rate of 21,1% among 15-24 year olds

The UNML considers a further reduction in resources all the more worrying given that youth unemployment remains particularly high. In the first quarter of 2026, it affected 21,1% of the working population aged 15 to 24, compared to 8,1% for the entire working population.

"With the unemployment rate for 15-24 year olds reaching 21,1% in the first quarter of 2026 (...), cutting integration budgets would be counterproductive," warns the National Union of Local Missions.

Some 425 local missions support 1,1 million young people across the country each year.

“Listening, mediation, and spending ample time with each young person are the keys to helping them gain autonomy and establish themselves sustainably in working life.” argues the UNML.

The "Work" mission threatened by budget cuts

The initial spending guidelines for the 2027 budget, presented by the government in mid-July, project that government spending will increase at a rate four times lower than inflation. This gap implies a reduction in the actual resources allocated to several public policies.

The "Labor and Employment" budget line is expected to be among the main areas for savings, with a planned reduction of €1,9 billion in funding. However, the specific resources allocated to local employment centers have not yet been finalized.

In this context, the UNML requests that youth support schemes not be used as a variable for adjustment during the preparation of the draft finance bill for 2027.

A youth employment strategy without additional resources

This warning comes two months after the presentation, in May, of a new government strategy aimed at improving the professional integration of young people.

This plan notably aims to strengthen coordination between local employment centers, France Travail (the national employment agency), the Ministry of Education, universities, and other stakeholders in career guidance and employment. However, it does not include any additional resources for the organizations responsible for its implementation.

For the UNML, improving this coordination will not produce lasting effects without sufficiently stable funding to maintain individualized and local support.