In the Bihor County has been created in the last years the „myth” of a very low unemployment rate (values under the EU average). Trans-border migrations, the existence of an important labor force in the agricultural sector, especially in the case of subsistence agriculture are just a few aspects behind this myth. The long term unemployment is also an important aspect that needs a realistic investigation. The necessary and inevitable reformation of the regional economy will determine in the immediate future major challenges in the employment sector. The present work aims, besides the investigation of the theoretical and operational approach of the long term unemployment in Romania and EU, to analyze the apparently favorable situation of the long term unemployment in Bihor County on the last three years, with the purpose of identifying the real problems and to do the delineation of a strategy that could determine active measures adapted to the situations and to the individual needs identified. The work presents preliminary research results from the “eWork today”, – project financed through PHARE 2005 Programme in order to adapt/orient the active labor force at the requirements of the informational society. The data used have been offered by virtue of an accord of collaboration, in the mentioned project, by the Bihor County Agency for Employment.

Long term unemployment, active labor force, active employment measures, regional development, local development