Parliament adopted the draft Law on the Youth in the first reading. This provides for the extension of the youth age limits from 16-30 to 14-35 and for the creation of the National Agency for the Development of Youth Program and Activities, which will be responsible for the implementation and promotion of national youth policies and programs, IPN reports.

The MPs supported the bill, but suggested a number of amendments for the second reading. Among these is to allocate 1% of the state budget for youth policies. According to Deputy Speaker Liliana Palihovich, 1% of the state budget is not so much. This is about 350 million lei. Such a sum will enable to annually allocate 406 lei for each young person, as against less than 10 lei at present.

The bill envisions the stimulation of entrepreneurial initiatives of young people, facilitation of youth employment, development of the professional skills and aptitudes of the youth, creation of an appropriate environment for physical development, promotion of a healthy lifestyle and provision of dwellings to young people. The local public authorities will be encouraged to engage the young people and youth organizations in the elaboration and implementation of youth policies.