Empowering Youth Participation: The Up 2 You(th)! Final Publication
Empowering Youth Participation: The Up 2 You(th)! Final Publication
In modern Europe, youth activities are crucial for preserving the strength of local communities. Based on this understanding, the "Up 2 You(th)!" initiative focuses on reintegrating young people into civic life. Our initiative, spanning Slovakia, North Macedonia, and Armenia, aims to foster active youth participation and active citizenship.
Needs we address
Our initial observations across Europe, especially in our local communities, were concerning. A distinct sense of disillusionment with governmental structures, coupled with a feeling of being undervalued, led many young people to disengage from political and community activities. This alienation is detrimental to both the youth and the broader societal structures within their communities. The "Up 2 You(th)!" initiative confronted this challenge head-on, addressing these feelings of alienation and striving to amplify the voice of youth in community and political activities.
Results achieved:
The "Up 2 You(th)!" initiative unfolded in several phases, including comprehensive secondary research, extensive surveys, focus group discussions, and practical local workshops. Over 1,300 young people from three countries participated in the initiative, providing valuable insights into the barriers, ambitions, and potential solutions for increasing youth participation. The project resulted in a resource of knowledge and strategies that are empirically supported and youth-backed.
Target Group
The primary focus of the "Up 2 You(th)!" initiative was young people aged 15 to 26 from Slovakia, North Macedonia, and Armenia. Special attention was given to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"Up 2 You(th)!" Final Publication
As the main outcome of our three-year work, we present the final publication "Up 2 You(th)!", which compiles the results of our activities and summarizes all knowledge gained from local communities.
Navigating the Final Publication
This comprehensive publication is structured as follows:
Desk Research – Establishing a baseline understanding of youth disengagement from society.
Country-specific Surveys – Exploring youth perspectives on community participation across the three countries.
Focus Group Reports – Synthesizing local discussions, capturing young people's insights into barriers and potential solutions for increasing their community involvement.
Local Workshops – Summarizing practical seminars focused on specific needs and areas of interest highlighted by young people.
Recommendations – Actionable strategies to strengthen youth engagement, tailored for stakeholders at regional, national, and European levels.
Using this Publication
Intended for a wide range of stakeholders, from local youth organizations to national policymakers, this publication serves as a compass guiding towards greater youth involvement. It offers a combination of theoretical insights and practical solutions, making it both an informative guide and a practical tool. We recommend its use in policy-making, fostering dialogue, and inspiring concrete changes, thereby ensuring the role of youth as a vital force in shaping the future of their communities.
View the final version of the publication now!
The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of its contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 2020-2-SK02-KA205-002569
