develop supportive policies, and collaborate across sectors to enhance virtual internship accessibility and quality. At the EU level, we seek to engage policymakers to create standardized guidelines that outline best practices for virtual internships across member states. For example, the European Commission could introduce funding initiatives under programs like Erasmus. The goal is to create a sustainable framework that addresses key challenges—such as the digital divide, inclusivity, and mentorship support—ensuring that young people, especially those from underserved communities, have access to meaningful professional development opportunities. Through targeted advocacy, we hope to build a policy environment that recognizes virtual internships as a vital tool for youth employability and prepares them for future workforce demands.
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