# SWD_2018_0168_FIN.ENG.xhtml.1_EN_autre_document_travail_service_part1_v7.docx

european flagEUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 22.5.2018

SWD(2018) 168 final

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT

Results of the open method of coordination in the youth field 2010-2018

Accompanying the document

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Engaging, Connecting and Empowering young people: a new EU Youth Strategy

{COM(2018) 269 final}{SWD(2018) 169 final}

Table of Contents

Introduction

Section 1 – Main achievements of the youth cooperation 2016-2018

1.1. Implementation of the EU Work Plan for Youth 2016-2018

1.2. Towards evidence-based youth policy

1.3. Updates in the legal framework and youth policy in Member States

Section 2 – Lessons from the strategy’s evaluation

2.1. Main findings

2.2. Recommendations for the future

Section 3 – Outcomes of the national reports

3.1. Progress towards the overall objectives and cross-sectoral cooperation

3.2. Mutual learning, dissemination and take-up of results

3.3. Supporting and developing youth work

3.4. Cross-border mobility of young volunteers

3.5. Structured Dialogue with young people and youth organisations

3.6. EU programmes and funds

Section 4 – Other stakeholder consultations

4.1. Outcomes of the consultations

4.2. Views of other EU institutions and bodies

Section 5 – Outline of the future cooperation

5.1. Analysis of main changes needed for the EU Youth Strategy

5.2 Priority areas of the EU Youth Strategy

5.3. Renewed governance mechanisms for greater impact

Annexes

A. Council resolutions and conclusions on youth 2010-2017

B. National Reports replies on the influence of the EU Youth Strategy on the national and local level

C. Evidence-based youth policy: list of studies carried out 2010-2018

D. Mutual learning: list of expert groups and results 2010-2018

E. Mutual learning: list of peer-learning activities and results 2014-2018

F. Structured Dialogue: list of topics per cycle 2010-2018

G. Structured Dialogue Cycle V - January 2016 to June 2017 (consultation numbers)

H. EU initiatives and action in the eight fields of action

I. Possible policy indicators for the priority areas proposed for the future cooperation over the period 2019-2027

J. Possible actions for a future EU Work Plan for Youth for 2019-2021

K. Glossary

Introduction

EU youth cooperation can build on 30 years of experience, starting with a funding programme and since 2001 supported by policy cooperation. The Council adopted the current framework for European cooperation in the youth field, also known as the European Union (EU) Youth Strategy, in 2009
  1
  for the period 2010-2018. This framework is divided into three-year work cycles, at the end of which the Commission draws up a EU Youth Report.

The Commission now proposes to renew the EU Youth Strategy for 2019-2027. To support its strategic proposals in the dedicated Communication
  2
  , the Commission provides in this Staff Working Document an assessment of the strategy (alongside another Staff Working Document providing statistics on the situation of young people).

The document notably:

·takes stock of key achievements in the 2016-2018 period (Section 1),

·presents evidence from an external evaluation, Member States’ reports and outcomes of consultations (Sections 2-4),

·substantiates the key proposals made for the new EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027), in particular on the renewed EU Youth Dialogue (Section 5),

·proposes a list of policy indicators (Annex I),

·proposes a draft Work Plan (2019-2021) for consideration to Council (Annex J),

All sections are illustrated by examples of actions at EU and national level.

During 2010-2018, EU youth policy cooperation aimed at (1) creating more and equal opportunities for young people in education and the labour market and (2) promoting active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity. To this purpose, the strategy aside from tackling classic youth topics took a cross-sectoral approach to emphasize the youth perspective in other EU policies such as education, health, employment and social inclusion. The strategy was implemented by gathering evidence-based, mutual learning, dialogue with young people and the mobilisation of relevant spending programmes.

The interim evaluation of the Youth Strategy and stakeholder consultation during a full year of listening confirmed that EU youth cooperation has proven its value. It triggered both policy and legislative changes at national level and contributed to the capacity of organisations active in the youth field. Structured dialogue, mobilisation of EU funds, mutual learning and knowledge building are seen as the most influential instruments. At the same time, the evaluation noted areas for improvement: the priorities have been too wide-ranging, which resulted in a quasi 'a-la-carte' approach, where none of the Member States addressed all eight fields of action. This, coupled with the lack of strong monitoring tools, reduced the strategy’s effectiveness. Reaching a diverse and critical mass of young people, in particular those with fewer opportunities and active at grassroots level remains challenging. Stakeholders also pointed to the need to improve the impact of dialogue mechanisms and increase ownership of the EU Youth Strategy by greater stakeholder involvement.

Duly considering the above lessons, the Commission proposes a new EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027) based on the following adaptations:

·More focus and flexibility to adapt European priorities in national contexts;

·Wider outreach to young people, in particular those with fewer opportunities;

·A new approach to working across policy areas;

·Improved transparency and monitoring framework;

·Multi-level and participatory governance;

·A clearer link between EU youth policy and related EU programme activities.

Section 1 – Main achievements of the youth cooperation 2016-2018

1.1. Implementation of the EU Work Plan for Youth 2016-2018

In line with the strategy’s reporting requirements, this document reports on the third and last three-year cycle of implementation of the EU Youth Strategy. The Council adopted an EU Work Plan for Youth for the period 2016-1018 covering six lines of action, as described
  3
  .

The initiatives presented in the boxes under this section are youth related EU level actions in other policy areas that are linked to the priorities of the EU Work plan for youth, without being included within.

Social inclusion of all young people

The Structured Dialogue from 2016 to mid-2017 dealt with ‘Essential life skills and competences of young people in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe for active participation in community and working life.’ Its outcomes were reflected in a Council resolution on Structured Dialogue in May 2017. The Youth Ministers adopted at the same time Council conclusions on ‘the role of youth work in supporting young people’s development of essential life skills that facilitate their successful transition to adulthood, active citizenship and working life.’

The Council also adopted Conclusions on role of the youth sector in preventing violent radicalisation in May 2016. Based on these conclusions, a Member States’ expert group examined evidence and good practice related to the role that youth work can play to promote active citizenship and prevent marginalisation and violent radicalisation.

The Commission, following the results of expert cooperation on quality of youth work
  4
  under the previous work plan (2014-2015) released a handbook on youth work quality systems and frameworks in the EU.

Participation of all young people in democratic and civic life in Europe

The Commission presented a study on the impact of transnational volunteering through the European Voluntary Service in 2017. It focused on impact both at individual level and at the level of organisations and local communities. It identified options to enhance the impact for individuals and organisations, especially for young people with fewer opportunities. The Maltese Presidency organised a Peer Learning Seminar on Democracy, Youth and Sport in May 2017.

Transition of young people to adulthood, in particular into the labour market

The EU Youth Strategy has put a strong emphasis on cross sectoral cooperation and synergies with activities developed through EU employment policies. The Commission presented a study on Youth work and youth entrepreneurship in 2017, which includes a mapping of youth work activities in this area. A peer learning activity supported by Erasmus+ took place in 2017 about ‘Youth work as a recognised tool for supporting young people’s transition to adulthood and the world of work.’

European Apprentices Network

| European Apprentices Network


  Since the launch of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) in 2013, greater emphasis is put on apprenticeships as a successful pathway for young people in transition from school to work. The EAfA joins 36 EU, EFTA and candidate countries and over 230 stakeholders (businesses, social partners, chambers, vocational education and training providers, regions, youth representatives or think tanks), to strengthen the quality, supply and image of apprenticeships in Europe, and to enhance apprentice mobility.


  A Council Recommendation on a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships, adopted in March 2018, sets out 14 criteria on learning and working conditions, as well as on framework conditions, that improve the quality and effectiveness of apprenticeships, to the benefit of learners, companies and society.



  In 2017 the Commission launched the European Apprentices Network (EAN), together with the European Youth Forum (YFJ) and the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU). They agreed on the following tasks for the network:


  ·To clarify the perception of young people on apprenticeships through exchanging experiences, discussing challenges and sharing information on e.g. educational and employment policies and research.


  ·To function as an informal consultative body for the Commission on apprenticeships, particularly for the EAfA in relation to EU proposals/initiatives, events and meetings.


  ·To promote apprenticeships as a worthwhile career choice (e.g. through ambassadors for apprenticeships).


  ·To facilitate contacts between youth organisations and other actors in apprenticeships, especially members of the EAfA.


  The network includes fifteen members from twelve countries. They collectively identified seven priorities for the next years:


  1)Quality education and quality assurance


  2)Rights, responsibilities and protection


  3)Legally binding agreements


  4)Representation


  5)Promoting apprenticeships


  6)Anti-discrimination


  7)Accessible information



  https://apprenticesnetwork.eu/ | EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| --- | --- |

Since the launch of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) in 2013, greater emphasis is put on apprenticeships as a successful pathway for young people in transition from school to work. The EAfA joins 36 EU, EFTA and candidate countries and over 230 stakeholders (businesses, social partners, chambers, vocational education and training providers, regions, youth representatives or think tanks), to strengthen the quality, supply and image of apprenticeships in Europe, and to enhance apprentice mobility.

A Council Recommendation on a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships, adopted in March 2018, sets out 14 criteria on learning and working conditions, as well as on framework conditions, that improve the quality and effectiveness of apprenticeships, to the benefit of learners, companies and society.

In 2017 the Commission launched the European Apprentices Network (EAN), together with the European Youth Forum (YFJ) and the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU). They agreed on the following tasks for the network:

·To clarify the perception of young people on apprenticeships through exchanging experiences, discussing challenges and sharing information on e.g. educational and employment policies and research.

·To function as an informal consultative body for the Commission on apprenticeships, particularly for the EAfA in relation to EU proposals/initiatives, events and meetings.

·To promote apprenticeships as a worthwhile career choice (e.g. through ambassadors for apprenticeships).

·To facilitate contacts between youth organisations and other actors in apprenticeships, especially members of the EAfA.

The network includes fifteen members from twelve countries. They collectively identified seven priorities for the next years:

1)Quality education and quality assurance

2)Rights, responsibilities and protection

3)Legally binding agreements

4)Representation

5)Promoting apprenticeships

6)Anti-discrimination

7)Accessible information

https://apprenticesnetwork.eu/

EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Mobilising instruments to improve young people’s school to work transitions

| Mobilising instruments to improve young people’s school to work transitions


  The Youth Guarantee, launched in 2013 and reaffirmed by the European Pillar of Social Rights, has become a reality across the EU. It gave opportunities to more than 3.5 million young people each year and was a driver for structural reforms and innovation in Member States
  5
  . The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) supported the implementation of the Guarantee with a budget of EUR 8.8 billion during 2014-20 reaching already 1.7 million young people. Further efforts are nonetheless needed to reach more young people, especially those currently out of reach and to get better quality offers. Cooperation between the employment, education and youth sectors is key in this regard and has to be boosted. The Commission supports Member States to fully roll out their Youth Guarantee schemes: it monitors progress on the ground in the context of the European Semester, through specific data collection and in cooperation with the Employment Committee. It also provides numerous opportunities for mutual learning, among others through a database of promising practice and peer support to Spain and Cyprus.


  The European Social Fund supports youth entrepreneurship (investment priority dedicated to ‘self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation’) to raise awareness, facilitate mutual learning and build capacities which is further supported through financial instruments for microfinance and social entrepreneurship under the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).



  http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1079 | EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| --- | --- |

The Youth Guarantee, launched in 2013 and reaffirmed by the European Pillar of Social Rights, has become a reality across the EU. It gave opportunities to more than 3.5 million young people each year and was a driver for structural reforms and innovation in Member States
  5
  . The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) supported the implementation of the Guarantee with a budget of EUR 8.8 billion during 2014-20 reaching already 1.7 million young people. Further efforts are nonetheless needed to reach more young people, especially those currently out of reach and to get better quality offers. Cooperation between the employment, education and youth sectors is key in this regard and has to be boosted. The Commission supports Member States to fully roll out their Youth Guarantee schemes: it monitors progress on the ground in the context of the European Semester, through specific data collection and in cooperation with the Employment Committee. It also provides numerous opportunities for mutual learning, among others through a database of promising practice and peer support to Spain and Cyprus.

The European Social Fund supports youth entrepreneurship (investment priority dedicated to ‘self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation’) to raise awareness, facilitate mutual learning and build capacities which is further supported through financial instruments for microfinance and social entrepreneurship under the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1079

EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Your first EURES Job

| Your first EURES Job


  Your first EURES Job (YfEJ) is an intra-EU job mobility scheme to help young people aged 18 to 35 from any of the EU countries, Iceland and Norway to find a work placement – job, traineeship or apprenticeship – in a different country from their country of residence. It also assists employers, particularly SMEs, to find the workers they need for their hard-to-fill vacancies. YfEJ is part of the 2014-2020 EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) as a 'targeted mobility scheme'.


  YfEJ offers direct funding for target groups (young people and employers) for an interview trip; relocation to the country of destination; a language course; recognition of qualifications; subsistence costs (for trainees and/or apprentices), integration programme for SMEs for the new mobile worker(s), trainee(s) or apprentice(s). Other services, e.g. training, mentoring can be made available by employment services participating in YfEJ projects. Until June 2017 (latest available data), the scheme helped 7350 young people to obtain placements.



  http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=1081 | EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| --- | --- |

Your first EURES Job (YfEJ) is an intra-EU job mobility scheme to help young people aged 18 to 35 from any of the EU countries, Iceland and Norway to find a work placement – job, traineeship or apprenticeship – in a different country from their country of residence. It also assists employers, particularly SMEs, to find the workers they need for their hard-to-fill vacancies. YfEJ is part of the 2014-2020 EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) as a 'targeted mobility scheme'.

YfEJ offers direct funding for target groups (young people and employers) for an interview trip; relocation to the country of destination; a language course; recognition of qualifications; subsistence costs (for trainees and/or apprentices), integration programme for SMEs for the new mobile worker(s), trainee(s) or apprentice(s). Other services, e.g. training, mentoring can be made available by employment services participating in YfEJ projects. Until June 2017 (latest available data), the scheme helped 7350 young people to obtain placements.

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=1081

EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Support to young people’s health and well-being, including mental health

A peer learning activity amongst Member States addressed ‘Participation of young people with mental health issues’ in 2016 and 2017, with a focus on youth empowerment through untapping their talents and skills. A first seminar addressed ‘the role of youth work’, the second ‘youth worker training to assist young people with mental health issues’ and the last ‘the role of schools in the inclusion of young people with mental health issues’.

| Tartu call for a healthy lifestyle


  During the 2017 European Week of Sport, Commissioners Phil Hogan (agriculture and rural development), Tibor Navracsics (education, culture, youth and sport) and Vytenis Andriukaitis (health and food safety) launched in Estonia the

  Tartu call for a healthy lifestyle

  that rolls out a roadmap for promoting healthy lifestyles in Europe, particular amongst children, over the next 2 years. The Tartu call includes:


  ·More funding for projects promoting sport (funded through Erasmus+) with a focus on specific settings such as schools;


  ·Encouraging innovative approaches to promoting and raising awareness for the benefits of healthy lifestyles through the EU's innovation and technology networks such as EIT Health and EIT Food;


  ·Promoting the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme launched in 2017 as well as educational tools such as the teachers’ resource pack;


  ·Supporting campaigns to promote healthy diets and increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables (such as the '5-a-day' campaign) within the programme to promote EU agricultural products funded each year through the Common Agricultural Policy.



  https://ec.europa.eu/sport/sites/sport/files/ewos-tartu-call_en.pdf | HEALTH AND WELL-BEING |
| --- | --- |

Tartu call for a healthy lifestyle

During the 2017 European Week of Sport, Commissioners Phil Hogan (agriculture and rural development), Tibor Navracsics (education, culture, youth and sport) and Vytenis Andriukaitis (health and food safety) launched in Estonia the

  Tartu call for a healthy lifestyle

  that rolls out a roadmap for promoting healthy lifestyles in Europe, particular amongst children, over the next 2 years. The Tartu call includes:

·More funding for projects promoting sport (funded through Erasmus+) with a focus on specific settings such as schools;

·Encouraging innovative approaches to promoting and raising awareness for the benefits of healthy lifestyles through the EU's innovation and technology networks such as EIT Health and EIT Food;

·Promoting the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme launched in 2017 as well as educational tools such as the teachers’ resource pack;

·Supporting campaigns to promote healthy diets and increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables (such as the '5-a-day' campaign) within the programme to promote EU agricultural products funded each year through the Common Agricultural Policy.

https://ec.europa.eu/sport/sites/sport/files/ewos-tartu-call_en.pdf

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Challenges and opportunities of the digital era for the youth sector and young people

Digitalisation is increasingly impacting work realities including in youth and takes up a greater role in young people’s leisure time. The Council adopted conclusions on ‘promoting new approaches in youth work to uncover and develop the potential of young people’ in November 2016 and on ‘smart youth work’ have been agreed by the Youth Ministers in November 2017.

The report of the expert group on ‘Addressing the risks, opportunities, and implications of digitalization for youth, youth work and youth policy’ provided policy recommendations, training needs and good practice examples in developing digital youth work across the EU.

Safer Internet Activities at EU level – Safer Internet Centres

| Safer Internet Activities at EU level – Safer Internet Centres


  The European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children sets out actions for online safety, combining financial support, legislation and self-regulation, involving Member States, industry and civil society.


  Under this framework, the EU co-funds a pan-European network of Safer Internet Centres, coordinated by Insafe and INHOPE, along with the core platform betterinternetforkids.eu as a single entry point for online tools and services for EU citizens and the Safer Internet community. The Centres deliver a range of awareness-ranging activities, including developing resources, hosting trainings and events for children and young people, and those that care for them, such as parents, carers, teachers, educators and other professionals in the children’s workforce.


  In 2016, Safer Internet Centres reached over 3 million people through events and trainings. Their helplines received more than 36,000 contacts connected to online issues such as cyberbullying and sextortion. The Commission's annual Safer Internet Day is now celebrated in over 140 countries on all continents and reached more than 20 million EU citizens in 2016.



  https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/web/portal/policy/insafe-inhope | HEALTH AND WELL-BEING |
| --- | --- |

The European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children sets out actions for online safety, combining financial support, legislation and self-regulation, involving Member States, industry and civil society.

Under this framework, the EU co-funds a pan-European network of Safer Internet Centres, coordinated by Insafe and INHOPE, along with the core platform betterinternetforkids.eu as a single entry point for online tools and services for EU citizens and the Safer Internet community. The Centres deliver a range of awareness-ranging activities, including developing resources, hosting trainings and events for children and young people, and those that care for them, such as parents, carers, teachers, educators and other professionals in the children’s workforce.

In 2016, Safer Internet Centres reached over 3 million people through events and trainings. Their helplines received more than 36,000 contacts connected to online issues such as cyberbullying and sextortion. The Commission's annual Safer Internet Day is now celebrated in over 140 countries on all continents and reached more than 20 million EU citizens in 2016.

https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/web/portal/policy/insafe-inhope

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Finally, the Commission presented a study on ‘the impact of the Internet and social media on youth participation and youth work’ in 2018; it analyses new, alternative forms of young people’s participation alongside new ways of political engagement and interaction. It examines the role of youth work in supporting young people to develop digital skills and media literacy to exploit the new medium with a critical mind, together with new skills and competences required by youth workers in this changing context.

| Digital Education Action Plan


  The Commission’s Digital Education Action Plan (2018) outlines how the EU can help individuals, educational institutions and education systems to better adapt for life and work in an age of rapid digital change by making better use of digital technology for teaching and learning, developing relevant digital competences
  6
  and skills for the digital transformation; and improving education through better data analysis and foresight. The Action Plan intends to:


  ·Tackle the connectivity divide between Member States regarding the uptake of very high capacity broadband in schools


  ·Support the digital readiness of both general and vocational schools


  ·Provide a framework for issuing digitally-certified qualifications and validating digitally-acquired skills that are trusted, multilingual and can be stored in professional profiles (CVs) such as Europass


  ·Create a Europe-wide platform for digital higher education and enhanced cooperation


  ·Strengthen open science and citizen science in Europe by piloting training, including continuous professional development courses on open science in higher education institutions at all levels (students, researchers, educators)


  ·Bring coding classes to schools in Europe, including by schools’ participation in EU Code Week


  ·Tackle the challenges of digital transformation by launching an EU-wide awareness-raising campaign targeting educators, parents and learners to foster online safety, cyber hygiene and media literacy; and a cyber-security teaching initiative


  ·Decrease the gender gap in the technology and entrepreneurial sector by promoting digital and entrepreneurial competences among girls.


  ·Build evidence on the uptake of ICT and digital skills in schools, by publishing a reference study assessing progress in mainstreaming ICT in education.


  ·Launch artificial intelligence and learning analytics pilots in education as of 2018 to make better use of the huge amount of data now available and thus help address specific problems and improve implementation and monitoring of education policy;


  ·Initiate strategic foresight on key trends arising from digital transformation for the future of education systems, in close cooperation with Member State experts and making use of existing and future channels of EU-wide cooperation on education and training.



  https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/specific-actions-digital-education-action-plan | EDUCATION AND TRAINING |
| --- | --- |

Digital Education Action Plan

The Commission’s Digital Education Action Plan (2018) outlines how the EU can help individuals, educational institutions and education systems to better adapt for life and work in an age of rapid digital change by making better use of digital technology for teaching and learning, developing relevant digital competences
  6
  and skills for the digital transformation; and improving education through better data analysis and foresight. The Action Plan intends to:

·Tackle the connectivity divide between Member States regarding the uptake of very high capacity broadband in schools

·Support the digital readiness of both general and vocational schools

·Provide a framework for issuing digitally-certified qualifications and validating digitally-acquired skills that are trusted, multilingual and can be stored in professional profiles (CVs) such as Europass

·Create a Europe-wide platform for digital higher education and enhanced cooperation

·Strengthen open science and citizen science in Europe by piloting training, including continuous professional development courses on open science in higher education institutions at all levels (students, researchers, educators)

·Bring coding classes to schools in Europe, including by schools’ participation in EU Code Week

·Tackle the challenges of digital transformation by launching an EU-wide awareness-raising campaign targeting educators, parents and learners to foster online safety, cyber hygiene and media literacy; and a cyber-security teaching initiative

·Decrease the gender gap in the technology and entrepreneurial sector by promoting digital and entrepreneurial competences among girls.

·Build evidence on the uptake of ICT and digital skills in schools, by publishing a reference study assessing progress in mainstreaming ICT in education.

·Launch artificial intelligence and learning analytics pilots in education as of 2018 to make better use of the huge amount of data now available and thus help address specific problems and improve implementation and monitoring of education policy;

·Initiate strategic foresight on key trends arising from digital transformation for the future of education systems, in close cooperation with Member State experts and making use of existing and future channels of EU-wide cooperation on education and training.

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/specific-actions-digital-education-action-plan

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Opportunities and challenges raised by the increasing numbers of young migrants and refugees in the EU

An expert group on young migrants and refugees will have finalised its work by the end of 2018. The mandate of this group foresees a collection and analysis of good practice examples detailing the specific contribution of youth work and non-formal and informal learning, in particular to facilitating the integration process of young people with a migrant background who already reside in Europe or have recently arrived. The expert group should also provide a practical toolbox for youth workers and youth organisations, offering useful tips and guidance useable in different Member States and policy recommendations.

| Protecting Children in migration


  Over the recent years, a growing number of children in migration have arrived in the EU, many of them without their families. This recent surge in arrivals has put national systems under pressure and exposed gaps and shortcomings. This is why in April 2017 the Commission adopted a

  Communication on the protection of children in migration

  . It sets out actions to reinforce the protection of all migrant children at all stages of the process.



  https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/justice-and-fundamental-rights/rights-child/children-migration_en | SOCIAL INCLUSION |
| --- | --- |

Protecting Children in migration

Over the recent years, a growing number of children in migration have arrived in the EU, many of them without their families. This recent surge in arrivals has put national systems under pressure and exposed gaps and shortcomings. This is why in April 2017 the Commission adopted a

  Communication on the protection of children in migration

  . It sets out actions to reinforce the protection of all migrant children at all stages of the process.

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/justice-and-fundamental-rights/rights-child/children-migration_en

SOCIAL INCLUSION

1.2. Towards evidence-based youth policy

The EU Youth Strategy stresses the role of knowledge on the living conditions, values and attitudes of young women and men with a view to sharing it with other policy fields.

The situation of young people
  7
  is measured through a dashboard of EU youth indicators developed in 2011 with 41 indicators spanning eight fields of action. The most recent statistical data can be found in a youth section on Eurostat’s website
  8
  . The Commission also publishes periodic Eurobarometer surveys dedicated to youth, with its latest edition released in January 2018. Knowledge was completed through several studies
  9
  .

To further develop its evidence-based approach to youth policy the Commission also works in partnership with the Council of Europe
  10
  , managing the Pool of European Youth Researchers and the European Knowledge Centre on Youth Policy. The Commission also conducted an interim evaluation of the current EU Youth Strategy (see section 2) to gather information on the implementation of the cooperation.

With the assistance of the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency the Commission presented the Youth Wiki. This online platform launched in 2017 provides information on European countries’ youth policies.

The EU research Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020 and Framework Programme 7) have funded a substantial body of research on issues related to youth inclusion, employment, well-being, education and participation
  11
  .

| Youth Wiki


  The Youth Wiki is Europe’s online encyclopaedia in the area of national youth policies. Its main purpose is to support evidence-based European cooperation by providing up-to-date and user-friendly information on national policies supporting young people.


  The Youth Wiki collects qualitative information on youth policies across Europe, provided and annually updated by National Correspondents, allowing to monitor reforms and trends in policy orientations in the participating countries.


  The main sources of information consist of official documents from national authorities in the youth field, as well as studies, surveys, analyses and national data and statistics. Browse the Youth Wiki website by country or by policy field:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/youthwiki |
| --- |

Youth Wiki

The Youth Wiki is Europe’s online encyclopaedia in the area of national youth policies. Its main purpose is to support evidence-based European cooperation by providing up-to-date and user-friendly information on national policies supporting young people.

The Youth Wiki collects qualitative information on youth policies across Europe, provided and annually updated by National Correspondents, allowing to monitor reforms and trends in policy orientations in the participating countries.

The main sources of information consist of official documents from national authorities in the youth field, as well as studies, surveys, analyses and national data and statistics. Browse the Youth Wiki website by country or by policy field:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/youthwiki

Youth work statistics website (Finland)

| Youth work statistics website (Finland)


  For the purposes of data collection and evidence-based youth policy, a website titled www.nuorisotilastot.fi has been set up in Finland. This is a statistical service funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The statistics cover youth work services in different municipalities and provide information on NEET youth and the allocation of central government funding to youth work.


  The website was first launched in December 2015. Each of the statistical databases is updated annually, in addition to which smaller updates and new databases are published monthly. The statistics are also available in English.



  www.nuorisotilastot.fi | KNOWLEDGE BUILDING |
| --- | --- |

For the purposes of data collection and evidence-based youth policy, a website titled www.nuorisotilastot.fi has been set up in Finland. This is a statistical service funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The statistics cover youth work services in different municipalities and provide information on NEET youth and the allocation of central government funding to youth work.

The website was first launched in December 2015. Each of the statistical databases is updated annually, in addition to which smaller updates and new databases are published monthly. The statistics are also available in English.

www.nuorisotilastot.fi

KNOWLEDGE BUILDING

1.3. Updates in the legal framework and youth policy in Member States
  12

National Youth Laws

Compared to 2010-2014, the situation has remained stable during 2016-2018. Most countries maintained or adapted legislation that refers to youth issues or contains a section which addresses the needs and/or rights of young people.

National Youth Strategies

Most countries have developed dedicated youth strategies and the situation remained stable since 2015. A number of countries have revised or updated their youth strategy, which usually covers a period of 4 to 10 years and often goes together with a specific action or implementation plan. Some Member States do not have a youth strategy as such (Greece) or not anymore (France, Italy, Poland) mainly due to a change of government.

Two recent developments are noteworthy: in 2015 Netherlands has shifted the responsibility for welfare, support and care for all citizens, including young people, to the local (municipality) level to better streamline the services and approaches and to adapt them to local needs; and Cyprus introduced a youth strategy for the first time in 2017.

Youth Law revised in 2016 (Luxembourg)

| Youth Law revised in 2016 (Luxembourg)


  The Youth Law carries a clear vision for youth participation, evidence-based youth research and regular and circular policy development.


  The National Assembly of Young People has the mission to give young people and youth organisations the possibility to participate in the examination of all issues related to youth policy at national and European level. The youth observatory (observatoire jeunesse) is in charge of monitoring youth issues with the mission to prepare, coordinate and initiate surveys, recommendations, analysis, studies and reports on the different aspects of the situation of young people in Luxembourg.



  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/12-national-youth-law-luxembourg | YOUTH POLICY GOVERNANCE |
| --- | --- |

The Youth Law carries a clear vision for youth participation, evidence-based youth research and regular and circular policy development.

The National Assembly of Young People has the mission to give young people and youth organisations the possibility to participate in the examination of all issues related to youth policy at national and European level. The youth observatory (observatoire jeunesse) is in charge of monitoring youth issues with the mission to prepare, coordinate and initiate surveys, recommendations, analysis, studies and reports on the different aspects of the situation of young people in Luxembourg.

https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/12-national-youth-law-luxembourg

YOUTH POLICY GOVERNANCE

New National Youth Strategy (Serbia)

| New National Youth Strategy (Serbia)


  In 2015, Serbia started to prepare a new National Youth Strategy, seeking inspiration from the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field. Considering times have changed since then, Serbia added Youth Safety as a strategic area. The Serbian National Youth Strategy 2015-2025 contains nine strategic areas: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship; Education, Pedagogical Work With and Training of Youth; Youth Activism and Active Participation; Health and Well-Being of Young People; Youth Safety; Social Inclusion of Youth; Youth Mobility; Informing Youth; Youth Culture and Creativity.



  http://www.mos.gov.rs/public/ck/uploads/files/Dokumenta/Omladina/zakoni-i-strateska-dokumenta/Nacionalna%20strategija%20za%20mlade%20-%20ENG.pdf | YOUTH POLICY GOVERNANCE |
| --- | --- |

In 2015, Serbia started to prepare a new National Youth Strategy, seeking inspiration from the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field. Considering times have changed since then, Serbia added Youth Safety as a strategic area. The Serbian National Youth Strategy 2015-2025 contains nine strategic areas: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship; Education, Pedagogical Work With and Training of Youth; Youth Activism and Active Participation; Health and Well-Being of Young People; Youth Safety; Social Inclusion of Youth; Youth Mobility; Informing Youth; Youth Culture and Creativity.

http://www.mos.gov.rs/public/ck/uploads/files/Dokumenta/Omladina/zakoni-i-strateska-dokumenta/Nacionalna%20strategija%20za%20mlade%20-%20ENG.pdf

YOUTH POLICY GOVERNANCE

Section 2 – Lessons from the strategy’s evaluation

The Commission conducted an interim evaluation
  13
  of the EU Youth Strategy and the 2008 Council recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers across the EU for the period 2010 to mid-2015. This included 50 stakeholder interviews and a survey targeted at young people (with 720 replies) and youth organisations (250 responses)
  14
  .

In line with the EU better regulation agenda, the evaluation covered the entire scope of the EU Youth Strategy, including the above-mentioned recommendation, the mechanisms for cooperation, implementation instruments and activities carried out by Member States and stakeholders under and outside of EU cooperation. It also addressed the links between the EU Youth Strategy and the recommendation and with EU programmes, such as Erasmus+, its predecessor Youth in Action and the European Structural and Investment Funds.

2.1. Main findings

Relevance

The evaluation considered the strategy overall as relevant to the needs and problems of young Europeans as well as to the activities of youth policy-makers in Member States. Two thirds of the national policy-makers and 80% of the youth organisations surveyed found the objectives and scope relevant to their needs and priorities.

The EU Youth Strategy provided a broad and flexible framework for cooperation. Given the high number of possible actions it proposed, at least some topics were relevant to each Member State. Conversely, none of them addressed all. The relevance of the EU Youth Strategy stemmed partly from the fact that Member States saw it as an ‘à la carte’ approach rather than a set of shared objectives, but this was partly due to its wide scope and flexible approach; relevance also depended on the understanding of youth policy in Member States.

Coherence

Views are divided on the internal coherence of the EU Youth Strategy. One fifth of the stakeholders interviewed considered the strategy’s activities as inter-related and building on each other, while another fifth saw the need to better connect its different parts, viewed as too fragmented. As for external coherence at EU level, the strategy’s objectives and priorities were coherent with those of EU other policy areas.

EU added value

The main EU added value for Member States was that it provided them with policy inspiration, knowledge and expertise, leverage and legitimacy, opportunities and resources to move towards common objectives, increased visibility of some topics (such as volunteering) or processes.

For instance in Slovenia, debates were influenced by good practices and inspired Slovenian youth policies. Austria or Bulgaria indicated that reform processes would have occurred but at a much slower pace had there not been the EU Youth Strategy.

For 79% of the respondents to the public consultation, the EU Youth Strategy helped develop a youth strategy or a consistent approach to young people and youth policy at national level.

Effectiveness

The evaluation found the strategy partially effective in triggering concrete changes at national and organisational level. The impact of the cooperation depended on the youth policy history in each country (according to the level of policy development, it has either been perceived as a driver for change or only a contributing factor).

The evaluation concluded that the most influential instruments of the EU Youth Strategy have been the Structured Dialogue, the mobilisation of EU programmes and funds, as well as mutual learning and knowledge building at a lower level.

Efficiency

EU youth cooperation costs were found to be reasonable in relation to results, but there were limited resources available at national level to take full advantage of EU cooperation.

2.2. Recommendations for the future

The main recommendations of the external evaluation were the following:

Focus on a smaller number of clearly defined objectives, and align the use of EU youth cooperation instruments more clearly and strategically with cooperation objectives;

Among the eight fields of action, education and employment seem to be relevant to most young people. However, the relevance of the policy areas varies across Member States. Some call for keeping the focus on ‘burning’ issues such as employment, education and training. Others pleaded for more attention for ‘core’ youth topics, such as youth work, volunteering and participation, which have been overshadowed in the aftermath of the crisis, but to which the youth cooperation framework can most meaningfully contribute.

If the double focus of the strategy is maintained (both core youth issues and working across policy areas) the goals should be more focused rather than just listing possible actions in eight fields like in the EU Youth Strategy 2010-2018.

Improve EU coordination of youth agenda and of the implementation instruments; align the use of cooperation instruments with the EU Youth Strategy’s objectives more clearly and strategically (including more links between funding programmes and the policy objectives)

The objectives and priorities of the EU Youth Strategy were overall coherent to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy. However, this is mainly due to its broad coverage rather than efforts to align the two strategies. The two were often perceived as separate approaches, each with their own objectives, rather than part of an integrated plan.

The evaluation found that instruments and tools are most effective to trigger change when joined up. This was not systematically the case; some initiatives were seen as ‘stand-alone’.

Better involve local and regional youth policy-makers

In Member States with a devolved youth policy, the EU approach to youth policy was considered to be less consistent because of its more diverse implementation. In such countries, regional and local topics were insufficiently reflected at EU level and thus stronger engagement of local and regional-level policy actors in EU cooperation would be needed.

Raise the bar of EU youth cooperation and formulate more ambitious objectives; find a new impetus for those countries with a strong tradition of youth policy

Member States’ domestic youth policies have moved forward. As under the current framework period, initial conditions for youth policy were created or advanced, the next strategy should allow adjusting to different stages of maturity. It should be of value and offer inspiration also for the Member States, which are already fully aligned with the strategy’s principles and objectives. Some Member States are likely to have more needs and interest in some cooperation topics than others.

Set up a monitoring framework which captures the achievements of the EU Youth Strategy and consider developing mutual learning on progress achieved

According to the evaluation, the dashboard of EU youth indicators and the triennial reporting by Member States do not fully capture the actual contribution of the EU Youth Strategy to youth policy. A monitoring framework closely linked to the Strategy’s intervention logic could be designed to this effect. It could reflect, among others, the follow-up to the Structured Dialogue, both at EU and national levels, such as sharing where (which policy sector) and how (which initiatives) the dialogue recommendations have been taken up.

Some recommendations have already been addressed, with developments such as the Council EU Work Plans for Youth, resulting in a better coordinated EU youth agenda and the Youth Wiki, which greatly improved the availability of and access to information on national youth policies and can underpin to mutual learning. The other recommendations have been tackled in the proposals for the future EU Youth Strategy as can be seen in Section 4.

Section 3 – Outcomes of the national reports

This section assesses progress based on Member States’ reports
  15
  in complement to the Youth Wiki
  16
  . Since the latter covers the strategy’s eight fields of action, these reports concentrated on the strategy’s progress on its objectives and cross-sectoral issues.

In the spirit of the core youth policy goal of youth participation in policy-making, implementation and follow-up, the Commission recommended Member States to consult with young people and their representatives when filling in their report. The European Youth Forum
  17
  was invited to contribute at EU level. By end 2017, twenty-four Member States, Serbia and the European Youth Forum submitted reports
  18
  .

3.1. Progress towards the overall objectives and cross-sectoral cooperation

Progress made towards the overall objectives

In the period 2010-2018, the overall objectives of European cooperation in the youth field were (i) to create more and equal opportunities for all young people in education and in the labour market; and (ii) to promote the active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity of all young people.

More and equal opportunities for all young people in education and in the labour market

Out of the 24 Member States, which submitted a report, 16 considered progress towards the first objective as satisfactory both in their country and at EU level. Serbia shares this view. Six think that progress in their country has been satisfactory, but not at EU level (Germany, France, Poland, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom). Conversely, for Romania and Slovakia progress at EU level has been satisfactory, but not in their country. The European Youth Forum is of the view that progress towards this objective has been unsatisfactory.

Empreende Já – Creativity and innovation (Portugal)

| Empreende Já – Creativity and innovation (Portugal)


  The Portuguese Institute of Youth and Sport runs Empreende Já, from 2016 to 2018. It is co-funded by the European Social Fund and developed under the framework of the national Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan, with an overall budget of approximately EUR 5 million. It is part of the National Reform Programme, under the framework of Promotion of Innovation in the Economy to foster entrepreneurial culture and entrepreneurship support, based on creativity and innovation. This programme also intends to support the creation and development of companies and social economy’s entities (third sector) and to support the creation of jobs, mainly for young people.


  The programme targets young ‘NEETs’ between 18 and 29 years after having completed mandatory education. It has two editions. In each one, 315 participants have 250 hours of training (125 hours of general training on e.g. accountancy and business plan and 125 hours of specific training in the fields of their project/idea) and 30 hours of tutorship. Participants receive a 6-monthly grant of EUR 695 per month and must develop their project within this period, individually or with colleagues. The 90 best projects in each edition that effectively created a company or a social economy’s entity are supported with seed capital of EUR 10.000. Social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial projects on Green, Blue and Orange Economies are especially encouraged, emphasising the social and environmental responsibility of businesses and the need to protect the right to work and to decent work.



  https://eja.juventude.gov.pt/ | EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| --- | --- |

The Portuguese Institute of Youth and Sport runs Empreende Já, from 2016 to 2018. It is co-funded by the European Social Fund and developed under the framework of the national Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan, with an overall budget of approximately EUR 5 million. It is part of the National Reform Programme, under the framework of Promotion of Innovation in the Economy to foster entrepreneurial culture and entrepreneurship support, based on creativity and innovation. This programme also intends to support the creation and development of companies and social economy’s entities (third sector) and to support the creation of jobs, mainly for young people.

The programme targets young ‘NEETs’ between 18 and 29 years after having completed mandatory education. It has two editions. In each one, 315 participants have 250 hours of training (125 hours of general training on e.g. accountancy and business plan and 125 hours of specific training in the fields of their project/idea) and 30 hours of tutorship. Participants receive a 6-monthly grant of EUR 695 per month and must develop their project within this period, individually or with colleagues. The 90 best projects in each edition that effectively created a company or a social economy’s entity are supported with seed capital of EUR 10.000. Social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial projects on Green, Blue and Orange Economies are especially encouraged, emphasising the social and environmental responsibility of businesses and the need to protect the right to work and to decent work.

https://eja.juventude.gov.pt/

EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Tearing down barriers to employment and education for young, black and minority ethnic carers (United Kingdom)

| Tearing down barriers to employment and education for young, black and minority ethnic carers (United Kingdom)


  Care 2 Work (C2W) was a multi-year programme that aimed to tackle the barriers faced by young carers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) when accessing employment, education and training. The project started in May 2015 and was concluded in April 2017 and was supported by Erasmus+ (Key Action 2). This strategic partnership was led by the London-based organisation, IARS and was delivered in partnership with three European Partners, namely Anziani e Non Solo (Italy), Linnaeus University (Sweden) and the Family and Children Care Centre (Greece).


  The programme aimed to generate and pilot new knowledge on the needs of BAME young carers with an ultimate goal of achieving institutional and cultural change in the United Kingdom and Europe. We hope that this change will help break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage for one of the most marginalised communities of our society. To achieve its objectives, this innovative youth-led project developed an evidence based on the needs of BAME young carers and used it to develop and pilot accredited, youth-led training (face-to-face and online). The training targeted young BAME carers as well as service providers and professionals.



  http://www.care2work.org/ | SOCIAL INCLUSION |
| --- | --- |

Care 2 Work (C2W) was a multi-year programme that aimed to tackle the barriers faced by young carers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) when accessing employment, education and training. The project started in May 2015 and was concluded in April 2017 and was supported by Erasmus+ (Key Action 2). This strategic partnership was led by the London-based organisation, IARS and was delivered in partnership with three European Partners, namely Anziani e Non Solo (Italy), Linnaeus University (Sweden) and the Family and Children Care Centre (Greece).

The programme aimed to generate and pilot new knowledge on the needs of BAME young carers with an ultimate goal of achieving institutional and cultural change in the United Kingdom and Europe. We hope that this change will help break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage for one of the most marginalised communities of our society. To achieve its objectives, this innovative youth-led project developed an evidence based on the needs of BAME young carers and used it to develop and pilot accredited, youth-led training (face-to-face and online). The training targeted young BAME carers as well as service providers and professionals.

http://www.care2work.org/

SOCIAL INCLUSION

Non-formal educational programme for young inmates of prisons (Latvia)

| Non-formal educational programme for young inmates of prisons (Latvia)


  ‘Breaking the Waves’ was about making the most of non-formal learning in Latvian prisons. Among its major outcomes were:


  ·Prison staff acquired non-formal learning methods and approaches;


  ·Young inmates developed competences contributing to their re-socialisation;


  ·Social inclusion was fostered by linking young inmates and youth NGOs.


  The first edition of the project (2012-2013) was co-funded by the Youth in Action programme. The second edition (2014) was financed by the Republic of Latvia.



  www.jaunatne.gov.lv

  and

  http://skelotvilnus.blogspot.com/ | EDUCATION AND TRAINING |
| --- | --- |

‘Breaking the Waves’ was about making the most of non-formal learning in Latvian prisons. Among its major outcomes were:

·Prison staff acquired non-formal learning methods and approaches;

·Young inmates developed competences contributing to their re-socialisation;

·Social inclusion was fostered by linking young inmates and youth NGOs.

The first edition of the project (2012-2013) was co-funded by the Youth in Action programme. The second edition (2014) was financed by the Republic of Latvia.

www.jaunatne.gov.lv

  and

  http://skelotvilnus.blogspot.com/

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Innovation and entrepreneurship (Denmark)

| Innovation and entrepreneurship (Denmark)



  Denmark has implemented innovation and entrepreneurship as a target area in the education system from primary education to PhD, in the spirit of the EU Youth Strategy’s area of action ‘Employment and Entrepreneurship’.




  www.ffe-ye.dk | EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| --- | --- |

Denmark has implemented innovation and entrepreneurship as a target area in the education system from primary education to PhD, in the spirit of the EU Youth Strategy’s area of action ‘Employment and Entrepreneurship’.

www.ffe-ye.dk

EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity of all young people

Fifteen Member States and Serbia consider that progress towards the second objective – to promote the active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity of all young people – has been satisfactory both in their country and at EU level. This is also the case for Belgium/Flemish Community and Belgium/French Community. Progress towards this objective is considered as unsatisfactory by 8 Member States (Germany, Spain, France, Croatia, Poland, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom) and by Belgium/German-speaking Community. For Slovakia, progress in their country has not been satisfactory. For the European Youth Forum, there has been no satisfactory progress towards this objective either.

Ad-hoc expert group on linking youth work to social work (Czech Republic)

| Ad-hoc expert group on linking youth work to social work (Czech Republic)


  The Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports created in 2015 an expert group to explore closer cooperation between youth and social work and facilitate the recognition of their respective results. The group operates under the ‘Youth Chamber’, a cross-sectoral advisory body of the youth minister and consists of representatives of e.g. youth and social work networks, policy-makers from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and of Labour and Social Issues and practitioners. It focuses at facilitating social inclusion of young people who are difficult to reach.


  In the national context, youth work is covered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports while social work is covered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues. Since 2015, the Youth Department of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has experienced a new situation when youth workers increasingly address young people’s needs for being provided with social services – while social workers provide more non-formal education to their clients. Moreover, youth work urgently needs social workers’ experience for reaching out to unreachable young people.


  The expert group defined both the target groups of youth work and social work and facilities which provide youth and social work. Currently it is mapping legislation, statistics, training opportunities, validation of competences and resources of financial support concerning both. A workshop covered its results and explored new tasks in a workshop in the National Youth Conference in 2017. | SOCIAL INCLUSION |
| --- | --- |

The Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports created in 2015 an expert group to explore closer cooperation between youth and social work and facilitate the recognition of their respective results. The group operates under the ‘Youth Chamber’, a cross-sectoral advisory body of the youth minister and consists of representatives of e.g. youth and social work networks, policy-makers from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and of Labour and Social Issues and practitioners. It focuses at facilitating social inclusion of young people who are difficult to reach.

In the national context, youth work is covered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports while social work is covered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues. Since 2015, the Youth Department of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has experienced a new situation when youth workers increasingly address young people’s needs for being provided with social services – while social workers provide more non-formal education to their clients. Moreover, youth work urgently needs social workers’ experience for reaching out to unreachable young people.

The expert group defined both the target groups of youth work and social work and facilities which provide youth and social work. Currently it is mapping legislation, statistics, training opportunities, validation of competences and resources of financial support concerning both. A workshop covered its results and explored new tasks in a workshop in the National Youth Conference in 2017.

SOCIAL INCLUSION

Pilot projects supporting disadvantaged young people (Germany)

| Pilot projects supporting disadvantaged young people (Germany)


  The pilot project ‘Workshops for youth education and youth social welfare services in Lower Saxony’ involved in 2015 and 2016 19 workshops in vocational schools, in qualification measures, youth centres, foreign information fairs and Gesamtschulen (lower secondary level education offering courses leading to professional qualifications). Their aim was to promote the participation of disadvantaged young people in European learning mobility experiences. In total 807 young people received counselling and information. The activities took mainly place in Hanover and surroundings.


  The pilot project ‘Qualification of multipliers to promote counselling of disadvantaged young people on European learning mobility opportunities’ ran in 2015 and 2016. It focused on the qualification of multipliers in youth work and youth welfare to become local counsellors for mobility programmes. It also included counselling of grassroots migrants organisations on European mobility programmes and application procedures.



  http://www.profondo.org/index.php/projekte/aktuelle-projekte/ich-bin-dann-kurz-weg.html | SOCIAL INCLUSIOIN |
| --- | --- |

The pilot project ‘Workshops for youth education and youth social welfare services in Lower Saxony’ involved in 2015 and 2016 19 workshops in vocational schools, in qualification measures, youth centres, foreign information fairs and Gesamtschulen (lower secondary level education offering courses leading to professional qualifications). Their aim was to promote the participation of disadvantaged young people in European learning mobility experiences. In total 807 young people received counselling and information. The activities took mainly place in Hanover and surroundings.

The pilot project ‘Qualification of multipliers to promote counselling of disadvantaged young people on European learning mobility opportunities’ ran in 2015 and 2016. It focused on the qualification of multipliers in youth work and youth welfare to become local counsellors for mobility programmes. It also included counselling of grassroots migrants organisations on European mobility programmes and application procedures.

http://www.profondo.org/index.php/projekte/aktuelle-projekte/ich-bin-dann-kurz-weg.html

SOCIAL INCLUSIOIN

‘Think Human!’ (Greece)

| ‘Think Human!’ (Greece)


  ‘Think Human!’ involved 24 youth workers from 12 countries (Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Germany, France, Sweden, Latvia, Ukraine and Georgia) to develop tools and capacity addressing the social dimension of the refugee crisis. Participants were introduced to a holistic approach, involving policies, measures and interventions to integrate refugees and migrants in their communities.



  https://thinkhumanblog.wordpress.com

  and

  https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/40e0922c-1d99-4a1e-9d38-64a57a6337a2 | SOCIAL INCLUSION |
| --- | --- |

‘Think Human!’ involved 24 youth workers from 12 countries (Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Germany, France, Sweden, Latvia, Ukraine and Georgia) to develop tools and capacity addressing the social dimension of the refugee crisis. Participants were introduced to a holistic approach, involving policies, measures and interventions to integrate refugees and migrants in their communities.

https://thinkhumanblog.wordpress.com

  and

  https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/40e0922c-1d99-4a1e-9d38-64a57a6337a2

SOCIAL INCLUSION

Increasing and diversifying European and international mobility (France)

| Increasing and diversifying European and international mobility (France)


  From 2013 till 2017, France pursued a Priority Youth Plan adopted by a Cross-Ministerial Committee for Youth, which. served as a ‘clear and evaluable’ roadmap for youth policy and measures that the public authorities must take to improve young people’s lives.


  Beyond a set of measures designed to benefit youth, the plan aimed to renew public action by fostering partnership work between ministries, local authorities, associations, social partners and young people. On the latter, it emphasised the principle of youth to co-create the policies that concern them. An important feature was facilitating access to European and international mobility for young people with fewer opportunities. | YOUTH AND THE WORLD |
| --- | --- |

From 2013 till 2017, France pursued a Priority Youth Plan adopted by a Cross-Ministerial Committee for Youth, which. served as a ‘clear and evaluable’ roadmap for youth policy and measures that the public authorities must take to improve young people’s lives.

Beyond a set of measures designed to benefit youth, the plan aimed to renew public action by fostering partnership work between ministries, local authorities, associations, social partners and young people. On the latter, it emphasised the principle of youth to co-create the policies that concern them. An important feature was facilitating access to European and international mobility for young people with fewer opportunities.

YOUTH AND THE WORLD

Cross-sectoral cooperation

The EU Youth Strategy advocated a cross-sectoral approach where due account is taken of youth issues when formulating, implementing and evaluating policies and actions in other policy fields which have a significant impact on young people.

Based on the analysis of the Youth Wiki, Section 1.5 ‘Cross-sectoral approach with other Ministries’, most Member States have one or more institutional mechanisms to ensure mainstreaming, for instance inter-ministerial meetings or working groups, interdepartmental coordination bodies or cross-sectoral committees. These either deal with youth policy in general or were set up to monitor specific policy measures (for instance the Youth Guarantee). It seems nevertheless that not all cooperation on youth matters is formalised; cross-sectoral cooperation also takes place ad hoc.

According to the European Youth Forum, while not intending to achieve such a success from a cross-sectoral perspective, in reality the European Solidarity Corps is achieving a cross-sectoral approach for youth, bringing in such sectors as youth, employment, education, and emergency support mechanisms.

Cross-sectoral approach in youth policy-making (Belgium/German-speaking Community)

| Cross-sectoral approach in youth policy-making (Belgium/German-speaking Community)


  The EU Youth Strategy paved the way for a cross-sectoral approach. A Decree from 2011 governing the funding of youth work foresaw the adoption and implementation of a cross-sectoral youth strategy for each legislative period. Under the decree, the Government engages youth NGOs, the Youth Council and young people in drawing up the strategy.


  For each legislative period the Government adopts and implements a multidisciplinary Strategy Plan. It documents the environment of young people in the German-speaking Community and lays down targets and tasks to improve the situation of young people. [...] The Government involves youth centres and the Youth Council of the German-speaking Community as well as young people in drawing up the Strategy Plan. This includes the results of the analysis of the current situation and evaluation of the previous Strategy Plan to be carried out once in each legislative period by the Government as well as the social space analyses to be drawn up by the Open Youth Work agencies. A Steering Group to support the implementation is composed of representatives of the youth sector, the Government and the Ministry.



  www.jugendstrategieplan.be | CROSS-SECTORAL APPROACH |
| --- | --- |

The EU Youth Strategy paved the way for a cross-sectoral approach. A Decree from 2011 governing the funding of youth work foresaw the adoption and implementation of a cross-sectoral youth strategy for each legislative period. Under the decree, the Government engages youth NGOs, the Youth Council and young people in drawing up the strategy.

For each legislative period the Government adopts and implements a multidisciplinary Strategy Plan. It documents the environment of young people in the German-speaking Community and lays down targets and tasks to improve the situation of young people. [...] The Government involves youth centres and the Youth Council of the German-speaking Community as well as young people in drawing up the Strategy Plan. This includes the results of the analysis of the current situation and evaluation of the previous Strategy Plan to be carried out once in each legislative period by the Government as well as the social space analyses to be drawn up by the Open Youth Work agencies. A Steering Group to support the implementation is composed of representatives of the youth sector, the Government and the Ministry.

www.jugendstrategieplan.be

CROSS-SECTORAL APPROACH

Recommendations for the future

The reports addressed the question: ‘In the future, what would be the best way of youth policy to effectively influence other policy fields at European, national, regional/local level?’

In general terms, there is agreement about the benefit of stakeholder cooperation and that coordination should be improved. Youth strategies and policies should be comprehensive (Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden). Whilst some Member States think that ideally, other policy fields should proactively seek cooperation with the youth sector and not the other way around (Czech Republic), others believe that strong coordination mechanisms (Germany, Austria) or one public authority (France, Serbia) are needed, and that the youth sector should strengthen its visibility and be more vocal on the core areas and positive impact of youth policy (Belgium, Cyprus, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania).

To increase capacity, coordinators from different sectoral policies should be trained (Slovenia) and a mainstreaming tool-kit could be developed to monitor how other policies take account of children’s and young people’s concerns – inspired by good practice (Denmark). Luxembourg points out that debate with other policy fields must be concrete and clearly focused on what changes are looked for. If cross-sectoral projects are launched, all stakeholders must be included in the discussions from the start. In general, enough time and human resources are necessary for dialogue.

Involving young people is paramount. Coordination mechanisms should include youth representatives (Austria), while participation mechanisms should be extended to other policy fields (Spain, Poland). The European Youth Forum sees the Structured Dialogue as a very useful tool in the pursuit of a cross-sectoral approach at EU, national, regional and local level. The Forum’s proposals for a new Structured Dialogue would allow policy-makers from different areas to take the lead depending on the topic of a given cycle.

More specifically at EU level, stronger links between the EU Youth Strategy and other EU agendas are needed (Austria, Slovenia). Youth should be addressed in all EU policies (Netherlands). Young people should be consulted in other EU structures and policy areas dealing with youth as well (Estonia) and be involved in all stages of the EU Youth Strategy (Austria). EU youth policy should be youth-friendly, in particular its essence should be explained to young people in a youth-friendly language (Latvia). Other proposals include the organisation of mixed Council of Ministers meetings and cross-sectoral expert groups (Belgium/French Community) and an EU youth programme which could finance cross-sectoral projects while having a focus on youth and youth work in all other programmes (Austria). There is a need for more collaborative practice, to gain more experience and develop models for closer cooperation with other sectors working with young people. These links and the existing practice should be mapped, monitored and evaluated and lesson learnt should be shared across Europe (Estonia).

The European Youth Forum calls on all youth stakeholders to achieve a truly cross-sectoral approach. ‘The cross-sectoral approach should be outlined in each work plan created within the framework for cooperation; in the annex of each work plan, we propose to outline the project, where the funding comes from and the partner that we need to work with. These work plans would have been pre-discussed and proposed to the relevant partners to ensure their buy-in at an early stage (...) and supplemented by a “youth check” on all proposals’ (to assess their impact on young people)
  19
  .

3.2. Mutual learning, dissemination and take-up of results

Mutual learning

Mutual learning is seen as a key element in the cooperation. It allows identifying and learning from good practices in different Member States. Mutual learning is carried out through peer learning, conferences and seminars, high-level fora or expert groups supported by studies, analyses and web-based networks, involving different stakeholders.

Types of activities

Twenty-four Member States, as well as Serbia and the European Youth Forum, reported that they have engaged in mutual learning under the renewed framework since 2010. Fifteen Member States have hosted a mutual learning activity: Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, France, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland and Sweden
  20
  .

| Mutual learning activities mentioned by the Member States |
| --- |
| Expert groups set up under the European Union Work Plans for Youth
  21



  Peer-learning activities, such as those under the European Union Work Plans for Youth
  22



  Bilateral and multilateral cooperation projects
  23
   


  Transnational cooperation activities (TCA), which enable Erasmus+ National Agencies to collaborate and share best practice across Europe


  Strategic partnerships under Erasmus+


  Policy debate on issues that matter to young people at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council meeting in November 2017
  24



  Bilateral cooperation on youth affairs, such as between Estonia and Belgium/Flemish Community and with Finland


  Networks, such as the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA)


  International conferences, seminars and high-level learning exchanges


  Working groups or peer-learning activities taking place within the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (‘ET 2020’)


  International cooperation agreements in the education sector


  Seminars organised in the framework of the cooperation between the Visegrad Group and Eastern Partnership Countries in the youth field, such as those by Czech Republic and Poland


  European Youth Work Conventions organised by Belgium


  Partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe in the youth field, including the European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy (EKCYP) |

Mutual learning activities mentioned by the Member States

Expert groups set up under the European Union Work Plans for Youth
  21

Peer-learning activities, such as those under the European Union Work Plans for Youth
  22

Bilateral and multilateral cooperation projects
  23

Transnational cooperation activities (TCA), which enable Erasmus+ National Agencies to collaborate and share best practice across Europe

Strategic partnerships under Erasmus+

Policy debate on issues that matter to young people at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council meeting in November 2017
  24

Bilateral cooperation on youth affairs, such as between Estonia and Belgium/Flemish Community and with Finland

Networks, such as the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA)

International conferences, seminars and high-level learning exchanges

Working groups or peer-learning activities taking place within the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (‘ET 2020’)

International cooperation agreements in the education sector

Seminars organised in the framework of the cooperation between the Visegrad Group and Eastern Partnership Countries in the youth field, such as those by Czech Republic and Poland

European Youth Work Conventions organised by Belgium

Partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe in the youth field, including the European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy (EKCYP)

Motivation for mutual learning

Based on the reports, the reasons for engaging in mutual learning are manifold and Member States put forward different aspects. Mutual learning is seen as useful to learn about good practices or difficulties encountered elsewhere. It provides valuable input for developing national, regional and local youth policies and can help check – or reinforce – one’s own policy in a given field. Another motivation is the interest in assessing the international ‘state of the art’ knowledge in a given field. Further incitements are working together, networking and seeking synergies with other Member States, or individual benefits for participants.

The European Youth Forum valued invitations to participate in expert groups, which they saw as fora to exchange and share good practices with decision-makers and other stakeholders; and a space to network with Member State experts.

To engage in future, Member States note that they need to consider several issues before engaging in mutual learning. First, the topic and objectives of a mutual learning activity must be clearly defined. If the topic is not reflecting national policies and priorities, engaging in such an exchange is not relevant. The link to youth work at local level should be stronger.

Another prerequisite is related to resources. There should be staff available; the number of meetings should be limited and virtual exchanges favoured; individual learning experiences of participants should be transferred to the respective organisations and systems, for instance by enhancing national reflection processes; the participation of Member States should be kept voluntary. As regards funding, there is need for simple and flexible access to funds and sufficient resources; there should be a stronger link between EU youth policy and the EU funding in the youth field – for instance, the activities organised by the Commission and the Presidencies and the transnational cooperation activities (TCA) and the SALTO-YOUTH resource centres should work in synergy.

The outcomes of mutual learning should be relevant to youth policy and the youth sector. They should not only be made visible at European, national, regional, local and cross-sectoral level, but also taken on board by EU institutions and bodies. The topics should reflect the EU youth policy, which in turn should be aligned to national policies.

Thematic expert groups

Under the framework for cooperation and the EU Work Plans for Youth, six thematic expert groups were set up
  25
  with voluntary participation of Member States. For each group, around 20 Member States joined. Asked about the relevance and usefulness of these, most Member States consider them relevant or highly relevant, as illustrated by the following examples.

a)The expert group report ‘The contribution of youth work to address the challenges young people are facing, in particular the transition from education to employment’ was presented and discussed for the Austrian context at a

  national stakeholder meeting

  , which the Austrian National Agency and the Austrian National Youth Council organised in the framework of the 2016 National Year of Youth Work (Jahr der Jugendarbeit).

b)The expert group’s work on ‘The contribution of youth work to preventing marginalisation and violent radicalisation’ helped build a bilateral partnership between Belgium and France. It was taken into consideration when planning activities within a

  common declaration

  signed by the three Belgian and the French Youth Ministers on 30 May 2016.

c)The handbook ‘Improving youth work: your guide to quality development’ is highlighted by the Czech Republic as a good example of using the full potential of expert group results
  26
  and the guide seen as a valuable source of inspiration.

In case where expert group outcomes were not considered relevant or not used, reasons are not always given. Where this is the case, Member States highlight different aspects, such as the lack of relevance at national level, insufficient alignment to the national reality, or the fact that the results were too general and – as the highest common factor of all Member States’ challenges – too abstract.

The European Youth Forum considers – in line with their role as NGO – facilitated the outcomes rather than used them. The Forum shared knowledge, expertise and studies on the relevant topics in expert groups which were included in the outcomes of the groups.

Recommendations for future expert groups

Regarding efficiency of expert groups, the evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy
  27
  noted that mandates and objectives were insufficiently clear from the onset, participants were not always the most relevant or representative, the degree of commitment varied and there were language barriers. Member States acknowledge that by end 2017 improvements have been made (such as clearer mandates and time frames, profile of experts, better alignment with the EU Work Plan priorities, focus on practical tools). To get more out of future expert groups national reports made the following proposals.

Membership

Criteria to select the experts should be specific; yet a mix of researchers, policy-makers and practitioners has proved valuable. The nominated experts’ working experience and their link to the topic should be shared with the whole group, so that potential contributions of individuals can be identified (drafting, resource person). Experts should be motivated to devote their time and expertise to the topic and take part in meetings.

In addition to experts nominated by the Member States
  28
  , other experts with specific knowledge should be included. It is important to involve the local level and stakeholders. Young people should be involved, either as experts or as a ‘youth panel’ or through the national youth councils. A representative of the European Youth Forum should be a permanent guest of the group.

Mandate

The topic should be defined more concretely from the onset and linked to the EU youth policy agenda. In addition to the Council Working Party on Youth, the necessity, goals and expected results of expert groups should be raised at Directors-General for Youth meetings. The mandate of a specific expert group should be finalised jointly by the Commission and the Member States interested in joining the group. Duplication of work between the EU level and the partnership between the EU and the Council of Europe in the youth field should be avoided. There should be more cross-sectoral expert groups to foster a global approach of youth policies.

Expert groups’ assignments should be clear-cut and realistic and the groups should know the target group for which they produce their outcomes. Expert group mandates should primarily focus on the formulation of technical recommendations and good practice examples related to youth work and youth policy.

Working procedures

There will always be some time needed to find common ground, which could be done with help of external facilitators and expectations from the chairperson(s) should be spelled out. The chairperson(s) should have a good knowledge of the composition and potential of the expert group, and could be active during the whole mandate and between meetings. Expert groups should draw more on the Erasmus+ and other relevant projects. If possible, meetings should be organised at different locations to allow field visits.

At national level preparatory meetings should be held to share outcomes of the ongoing work and prepare meetings. Professional drafting and editing assistance should be provided. Better financial support would lead to the participation of all Member States. Meetings should be interpreted in the working languages of the European Commission (English, French and German).

Reporting and information

There should be a clear idea of the outlook of the final product from the start (toolkit, recommendations, compendium, report, etc.).

The Council Working Party on Youth should be regularly informed and outputs should feed Council discussions.

There should also be a clear approach to sharing knowledge and insights (including in various languages and with the support of communication experts). Where relevant, the outcomes need to be translated to the individual needs of youth organisations and practitioners; national support for dissemination is needed to reach all stakeholders. Dissemination activities should be supported with some funding and experts could contribute on communication, for instance by participating in events. It would be useful to organise seminars on the results, possibly with the Commission Representations. Dissemination should include the candidate countries.

| Bilateral partnership on preventing radicalisation (Belgium/French Community)


  A bilateral partnership with France on preventing radicalisation resulted in three seminars in Paris, Mechelen and Brussels and allowed the three Communities of Belgium and French colleagues to improve understanding of the problems related to disseminate educational tools and foster partnerships between organisations.



  http://www.wbi.be/fr/news/news-item/france-trois-communautes-belgique-unies-contre-radicalisation-jeunes#.WqKC9aIo1Ew | MUTUAL LEARNING |
| --- | --- |

Bilateral partnership on preventing radicalisation (Belgium/French Community)

A bilateral partnership with France on preventing radicalisation resulted in three seminars in Paris, Mechelen and Brussels and allowed the three Communities of Belgium and French colleagues to improve understanding of the problems related to disseminate educational tools and foster partnerships between organisations.

http://www.wbi.be/fr/news/news-item/france-trois-communautes-belgique-unies-contre-radicalisation-jeunes#.WqKC9aIo1Ew

MUTUAL LEARNING

Dissemination and take-up of results

The dissemination of results is an implementation instrument of the framework for cooperation aiming for broad dissemination of outcomes among stakeholders to enhance visibility and impact of cooperation at local, regional, national and European level.

Dissemination

The evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy
  29
  found that in some countries the outcomes of expert groups, for instance, were insufficiently disseminated notably at local level, but rather ‘kept within the walls of ministries’. Croatia mentions the lack of dissemination towards local and regional self-governments. Slovenia regrets that publicity about youth policies, European or national, is still relatively modest and limited to the youth sector and the media targeted at young people, youth organisations and youth stakeholders. Nevertheless, the national reports show that a wide range of stakeholders were informed about the results of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018).

| Relevant stakeholders informed about the results of the framework for cooperation |
| --- |
| Youth stakeholders | All relevant colleagues in the youth ministry and personal offices of the ministers


  National working groups set up for the implementation of the strategy, such as the National Working Group for the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field in Austria and the Federal Advisory Board on the Implementation of the EU Youth Strategy in Germany


  Government’s advisory bodies, such as the Advisory Board for Youth of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Youth Council of Serbia or the Committee for EU Affairs’ sub-committee on youth and sports affairs in Finland


  Policy-makers at local, regional, national and international level, for instance municipalities in the Netherlands and in Finland, department-level services in France and the partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe in the youth field


  National youth and/or children councils councils and their member organisations, as well as youth councils at regional or local level


  Youth organisations; Youth centres; Youth services and youth information centres


  Youth delegates; Youth parliaments; Youth stakeholders involved in local projects


  Paid and volunteer youth workers and their national networks; other practitioners (non-formal education, early childhood education and care, school social workers, people working with young refugees and migrants, etc.)


  The voluntary, community and social enterprise sector


  Erasmus+ National Agencies


  Beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ programme


  Youth research and knowledge institutes


  Training institutes


  National Working Groups for the Structured Dialogue


  Young people |
| Stakeholders from other sectors | European institutions (European Parliament, Council of the European Union, European Commission) and bodies (Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee)


  The Permanent Representation to the EU


  Relevant ministries, mainly in the field of employment, education, social affairs, health, culture, sports, environment


  Institutional mechanisms aimed at cross-sectoral youth policy, such as the Cross-sectoral Youth Chamber in the Czech Republic or the Interdepartmental State Youth Policy Group in Slovakia


  Relevant actors at regional level, for instance teachers, coordinators of apprenticeships, job insertion projects, career guidance organisations, and services and organisations in the social field


  Private sector enterprises; actors from the sports sector; national and local media


  Civil society |

Relevant stakeholders informed about the results of the framework for cooperation

Youth stakeholders

All relevant colleagues in the youth ministry and personal offices of the ministers

National working groups set up for the implementation of the strategy, such as the National Working Group for the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field in Austria and the Federal Advisory Board on the Implementation of the EU Youth Strategy in Germany

Government’s advisory bodies, such as the Advisory Board for Youth of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Youth Council of Serbia or the Committee for EU Affairs’ sub-committee on youth and sports affairs in Finland

Policy-makers at local, regional, national and international level, for instance municipalities in the Netherlands and in Finland, department-level services in France and the partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe in the youth field

National youth and/or children councils councils and their member organisations, as well as youth councils at regional or local level

Youth organisations; Youth centres; Youth services and youth information centres

Youth delegates; Youth parliaments; Youth stakeholders involved in local projects

Paid and volunteer youth workers and their national networks; other practitioners (non-formal education, early childhood education and care, school social workers, people working with young refugees and migrants, etc.)

The voluntary, community and social enterprise sector

Erasmus+ National Agencies

Beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ programme

Youth research and knowledge institutes

Training institutes

National Working Groups for the Structured Dialogue

Young people

Stakeholders from other sectors

European institutions (European Parliament, Council of the European Union, European Commission) and bodies (Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee)

The Permanent Representation to the EU

Relevant ministries, mainly in the field of employment, education, social affairs, health, culture, sports, environment

Institutional mechanisms aimed at cross-sectoral youth policy, such as the Cross-sectoral Youth Chamber in the Czech Republic or the Interdepartmental State Youth Policy Group in Slovakia

Relevant actors at regional level, for instance teachers, coordinators of apprenticeships, job insertion projects, career guidance organisations, and services and organisations in the social field

Private sector enterprises; actors from the sports sector; national and local media

Civil society

The non-exhaustive list below illustrates the variety of dissemination tools, means and methods by the Member States and the European Youth Forum to reach out to youth stakeholders not involved in the framework or relevant stakeholders from other sectors.

| Dissemination of information via existing institutional mechanisms or multiplier networks |
| --- |
| Institutional mechanisms aimed at cross-sectoral youth policy


  Government’s advisory bodies


  National Working Groups for the Structured Dialogue


  International youth organisations


  Youth council meetings


  Structured meetings, such as the debriefing after each EU Council meeting of ministers for youth with youth stakeholders and all relevant colleagues in the ministry (Belgium/German-speaking Community) or the ‘Roadmap for youth associations’ meetings regularly held by the Secretaries of State for Youth and Sport and the Portuguese Institute for Youth and Sport (IPDJ)


  Regular meetings between ministries, the Permanent Representation to the EU, National Agencies and youth councils of the three Communities of Belgium


  National action plans for youth, like in Luxembourg


  Cooperation of German-speaking National Agencies of all educational fields


  Funding mechanisms of Erasmus+ Youth in Action


  National information network for young people, for instance in Portugal


  National activities related to the Structured Dialogue: Structured Dialogue Ambassadors in Spain, national conferences on the Structured Dialogue in Lithuania


  Eurodesk |

Dissemination of information via existing institutional mechanisms or multiplier networks

Institutional mechanisms aimed at cross-sectoral youth policy

Government’s advisory bodies

National Working Groups for the Structured Dialogue

International youth organisations

Youth council meetings

Structured meetings, such as the debriefing after each EU Council meeting of ministers for youth with youth stakeholders and all relevant colleagues in the ministry (Belgium/German-speaking Community) or the ‘Roadmap for youth associations’ meetings regularly held by the Secretaries of State for Youth and Sport and the Portuguese Institute for Youth and Sport (IPDJ)

Regular meetings between ministries, the Permanent Representation to the EU, National Agencies and youth councils of the three Communities of Belgium

National action plans for youth, like in Luxembourg

Cooperation of German-speaking National Agencies of all educational fields

Funding mechanisms of Erasmus+ Youth in Action

National information network for young people, for instance in Portugal

National activities related to the Structured Dialogue: Structured Dialogue Ambassadors in Spain, national conferences on the Structured Dialogue in Lithuania

Eurodesk

Communication channels

| Communication channels |
| --- |
| Websites; newsletters; social media posts; specific internet portals, such as the section for youth work professionals on the French portal

  http://decouvrirlemonde.jeunes.gouv.fr/

  , the youth portal

  http://mlad.si/

  created by the Slovenian Office for Youth, the Latvian portal

  www.jaunatneslietas.lv

  , or the portal for socio-educational instructors in Germany,

  www.jugendhilfeportal.de

  ; collaborative platforms, such as the internal platform for contact persons on radicalisation in France; e-mail; videos; articles in media and magazines; exhibitions; publications and reports, such as the European Youth Forum’s Shadow Report on Youth Policy; consultations; competitions, for instance ‘EDUinspiracje’, organised in Poland to disseminate the results of educational projects; face-to-face meetings with relevant stakeholders (information, presentations, discussions and debates, round tables, working groups, role plays and simulations). |

Websites; newsletters; social media posts; specific internet portals, such as the section for youth work professionals on the French portal

  http://decouvrirlemonde.jeunes.gouv.fr/

  , the youth portal

  http://mlad.si/

  created by the Slovenian Office for Youth, the Latvian portal

  www.jaunatneslietas.lv

  , or the portal for socio-educational instructors in Germany,

  www.jugendhilfeportal.de

  ; collaborative platforms, such as the internal platform for contact persons on radicalisation in France; e-mail; videos; articles in media and magazines; exhibitions; publications and reports, such as the European Youth Forum’s Shadow Report on Youth Policy; consultations; competitions, for instance ‘EDUinspiracje’, organised in Poland to disseminate the results of educational projects; face-to-face meetings with relevant stakeholders (information, presentations, discussions and debates, round tables, working groups, role plays and simulations).

Events (examples)

| Events (examples) |
| --- |
| National Youth Conferences organised in the Czech Republic every 3 years (latest one: March 2017) or in Germany within the national youth strategy


  German Child and Youth Welfare Congress (DJHT), which included an expert programme with presentations, workshops and debates


  Symposia organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Families and Youth under the heading ‘Youth.Politics.Europe.Austria’ between May 2011 and November 2012


  Annual conference for national and municipal stakeholders organised by the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (the 2017 conference included a workshop on the Handbook on improving youth work, with the Swedish member of the expert group)


  Youth Development Academy (ADJ) held in Portugal in 2015 and 2017, a week for the training and qualification of the young, youth organisations and public bodies working with and for youth


  Annual youth organisations’ day on 30 April in Portugal


  Events taking place during the European Youth Weeks


  International training courses |

National Youth Conferences organised in the Czech Republic every 3 years (latest one: March 2017) or in Germany within the national youth strategy

German Child and Youth Welfare Congress (DJHT), which included an expert programme with presentations, workshops and debates

Symposia organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Families and Youth under the heading ‘Youth.Politics.Europe.Austria’ between May 2011 and November 2012

Annual conference for national and municipal stakeholders organised by the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (the 2017 conference included a workshop on the Handbook on improving youth work, with the Swedish member of the expert group)

Youth Development Academy (ADJ) held in Portugal in 2015 and 2017, a week for the training and qualification of the young, youth organisations and public bodies working with and for youth

Annual youth organisations’ day on 30 April in Portugal

Events taking place during the European Youth Weeks

International training courses

Take-up of results

For a majority of Member States, the framework for cooperation has reached, inspired and empowered national or local policy-makers in the youth field
  30
  . There is clear evidence that the EU Youth Strategy was a source of inspiration for national youth strategies or plans (Czech Republic, France, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Slovakia, and Serbia). A more cross-sectoral approach towards young people is mentioned as an added value of the European cooperation (Czech Republic, France, Latvia, Slovenia, United Kingdom). The validation of non-formal and informal learning, the development of youth work and consultations and Structured Dialogue with young people and youth organisations, are also highlighted several times. However, as Finland points out, the influence is not going in one direction only, or is difficult to assess (Netherlands, Poland). EU youth policy is often complementary to national discussions and national objectives and results have successfully contributed to European discussions and objectives. Overall, the exchange and mutual learning with European counterparts seems to be appreciated.

For the European Youth Forum, ‘the Structured Dialogue recommendations have been one of the most tangible and concrete outcomes of this cooperation framework. While many countries are already working on elements addressed under the eight fields of action, the Structured Dialogue is identified as uniquely European and solely as part of the European cooperation framework. While the outcomes and results of the Structured Dialogue have reached policy-makers, the follow-up has been low at national and local levels. The lack of awareness of the Structured Dialogue at local level is an important reason for this.’

| EU Youth Strategy on Tour (Austria)


  Following the launch of the EU Youth Strategy, the Federal Ministry of Families and Youth, promoted a tour of the federal states during 2011 and 2012 under the heading ‘Youth.Politics.Europe.Austria’. It included symposia in 5 Länder. Together with the respective Youth Department, specific fields of action of the EU Youth Strategy were highlighted and examined with the respective players from that field. Both the contents of the EU Youth Strategy and the cross-sectional approach to youth policy were promoted. Apart from decision-makers, practitioners and multipliers were invited to join.


  ·Symposium ‘Youth and labour market’, 2011, Innsbruck - Field of action ‘Education and training as well as ‘Employment and entrepreneurship’;


  ·Symposium ‘where I am in demand, I stay! Ensuring youth participation', 2011, Graz - Field of action ‘Participation’;


  ·Symposium ‘Well-being in Vorarlberg', 2012, Bregenz - Field of action ‘Health and well-being’;


  ·Symposium ‘andersGLEICH’ (differentSAME), 2012, Linz - Field of action ‘Social inclusion’;


  ·Symposium ‘The young world and Salzburg – Young Salzburg and the world', 2012, Salzburg - Field of action ‘Youth and the world’.


  The events aimed to bring the European topics to the national and local levels and to join various players around a chosen topic to promote youth policy as a cross-sectional matter. Accordingly, apart from youth workers, representatives of the Public Employment Service, the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Labour, entrepreneurs, school principals, school inspectors, municipal youth officers, Regional Management teams as well as representatives of the district councils and the Chamber of Agriculture were present. | DISSEMINATION |
| --- | --- |

EU Youth Strategy on Tour (Austria)

Following the launch of the EU Youth Strategy, the Federal Ministry of Families and Youth, promoted a tour of the federal states during 2011 and 2012 under the heading ‘Youth.Politics.Europe.Austria’. It included symposia in 5 Länder. Together with the respective Youth Department, specific fields of action of the EU Youth Strategy were highlighted and examined with the respective players from that field. Both the contents of the EU Youth Strategy and the cross-sectional approach to youth policy were promoted. Apart from decision-makers, practitioners and multipliers were invited to join.

·Symposium ‘Youth and labour market’, 2011, Innsbruck - Field of action ‘Education and training as well as ‘Employment and entrepreneurship’;

·Symposium ‘where I am in demand, I stay! Ensuring youth participation', 2011, Graz - Field of action ‘Participation’;

·Symposium ‘Well-being in Vorarlberg', 2012, Bregenz - Field of action ‘Health and well-being’;

·Symposium ‘andersGLEICH’ (differentSAME), 2012, Linz - Field of action ‘Social inclusion’;

·Symposium ‘The young world and Salzburg – Young Salzburg and the world', 2012, Salzburg - Field of action ‘Youth and the world’.

The events aimed to bring the European topics to the national and local levels and to join various players around a chosen topic to promote youth policy as a cross-sectional matter. Accordingly, apart from youth workers, representatives of the Public Employment Service, the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Labour, entrepreneurs, school principals, school inspectors, municipal youth officers, Regional Management teams as well as representatives of the district councils and the Chamber of Agriculture were present.

DISSEMINATION

YouTubers informing about youth policy (Lithuania)

| YouTubers informing about youth policy (Lithuania)


  In Lithuania an agreement has been signed with the most popular and best known YouTubers of the country, to spread information about the different actors in youth policy. The information provided is convenient, interesting and attractive for youth. It could also be used as publicity for young people. By the contract, the YouTubers must create at least 6 movies in their YouTube channel, presenting youth policy in Lithuania in an attractive way. The movies on YouTube had more than 120 000 views. | DISSEMINATION |
| --- | --- |

In Lithuania an agreement has been signed with the most popular and best known YouTubers of the country, to spread information about the different actors in youth policy. The information provided is convenient, interesting and attractive for youth. It could also be used as publicity for young people. By the contract, the YouTubers must create at least 6 movies in their YouTube channel, presenting youth policy in Lithuania in an attractive way. The movies on YouTube had more than 120 000 views.

DISSEMINATION

3.3. Supporting and developing youth work

Under the framework for cooperation, supporting and developing youth work should be regarded as cross-sectoral issues. The ways in which youth work can contribute to achieving the overall objectives – as well as be supported and recognised as an added value for its economic and social contribution – should be further examined and discussed.

Lessons drawn from the youth work issues addressed

For the 2018 EU Youth Report, Member States were asked about the lessons drawn from the youth work issues examined and discussed under the framework for cooperation.

Youth work in general

The discussions on youth work at EU level revealed that different Member States tend to share the same societal challenges and that results of European cooperation can provide valuable stimuli (Germany). In this country, the search for common ground at European level has triggered discussions on the concept of youth work (‘Jugendhilfe’) at national level. The diversity of youth work in Europe makes the cooperation interesting for Malta, although it can hinder the creation of a common understanding and position on youth work.

A number of Member States refer to the local responsibility for youth work (Sweden, United Kingdom) and to the financial needs at local level (Italy, Poland). Denmark feels that greater synergy, coordination and dissemination of results between programmes and projects on national, regional and local level are needed. Austria calls on policy-makers to include the know-how of youth work practitioners, whilst Slovenia considers that the youth work sector must adapt to the growing trend towards measuring impact in education.

Appropriate training for youth workers and leaders

Some countries point to a looming or actual shortage or high dropout rate of youth workers (Belgium/German-speaking Community, Luxembourg) and stress the need for quality training (Austria). The working conditions of youth workers should also be improved (Luxembourg).

In Belgium, the European cooperation has had a positive impact. For instance, training of youth workers is now more competence-based in the Flemish Community. The German-speaking Community provides another example: based on the Government’s Regional Development Concept ‘Ostbelgien Leben 2025’ which tackles the shortage of qualified youth workers, a professional training will be developed. It will meet the standards of the National Qualifications Framework and thus ensure recognition of the certificate outside the youth sector. As a starting point, a specific competence profile of youth workers will be drawn up based on the Austrian competence framework (

  http://www.kompetenzrahmen.at/

  ).

Austria deplores that a clear definition of youth work as a profession is still lacking. In Latvia, regulations on training of youth work specialists specify their training system, including the necessary skills, competences and knowledge. Portugal would like to see a common identity of the youth work profession in Europe with the possibility of transferring equivalent training (as in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System ECTS). Youth work courses at university are desirable as well. Spain also regrets that there is no EU-wide common view on youth work, which makes its professional development more difficult. Youth workers, especially voluntary ones, should benefit from lifelong learning to improve their skills (Spain). Estonia identifies an emerging need for cross-sectoral education and training for youth professionals in general.

Within Erasmus+ Youth, the development of youth workers’ competences is on track. For example, a seminar in 2016
  31
  brought together experienced training actors to reflect on the ‘ETS’ competence model for youth workers to work internationally.

Recognition of skills

One of the strongest demands of youth workers and leaders is the recognition of their work, not only at European level, but also at national level (Spain). In Latvia, regulations on the recognition of non-formal education in youth work are being elaborated to ensure recognition, quality and financial support. Since there is no formal status and legal framework for youth workers in Croatia, the recognition of skills acquired in Erasmus+ international mobility is predominantly done via Youthpass. Austria also calls for governmental recognition of youth workers’ skills. Validation of non-formal and informal learning and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) can be valuable tools for this. To do so, it is necessary to raise the awareness and make innovative changes, on national and regional level, of youth work and the parts of the education sector which are linked to youth work.

Support for the mobility of youth workers and leaders

Erasmus+ Youth has been fundamental to support youth workers and leaders (Portugal). According to Austria, funding for international mobility of youth workers is one of the most popular strands of this part of the programme; more funds could be used up easily. Based on the RAY
  32
  research done in the programme, the competence development of youth workers through their participation in international projects is verified. It is important to support the mobility of youth workers and leaders in order to contribute to the quality development of youth work (Finland). The European Youth Forum also calls for an increased investment in the mobility of youth workers in the future programme.

Promotion of innovative services and approaches for youth work

The need to incorporate and to use more effectively digital media and technology in youth work and to promote new techniques, services and approaches for youth work are also amongst the lessons drawn from the youth work issues examined and discussed under the framework for cooperation (Estonia, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands).

What worked well under the current framework

The assessment of national reports shows that the framework for cooperation has had many beneficial effects when it comes to supporting and developing youth work. The exchange of good practices through all kinds of mutual learning activities is one of them.

Erasmus+ and other EU programmes and funds are considered as crucial support for youth work, not only at international level, but also at national and even local level. In this context, international mobility of youth workers, transnational cooperation activities (TCA), the SALTO-YOUTH resource centres and the Eurodesk network are mentioned.

With regard to youth workers, their competence development through their participation in international projects and training courses has been of undeniable value. The same goes for other useful tools developed and promoted by the SALTO-YOUTH resource centres and the partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe in the youth field.

The majority of Member States also acclaim the increased recognition of the value of youth work and its contribution to society. Youth work now has a prominent place on the political agenda at European level, also thanks to the European Youth Work Conventions organised by Belgium in 2010 and 2015.

The Youth Wiki contains a wealth of information on youth work at national level scattered across different sections
  33
  . A background document has been prepared to highlight this information
  34
  .

Recommendations for the future

In their reports Member States Serbia and the European Youth Forum, made concrete proposals for the future framework for cooperation. These recommendations, however, do not all go in the same direction. For example, there is a call for EU-level standards or requirements on the one hand, and need for flexibility on the other hand – in order to reflect different national realities and traditions.

Youth work in general

Not only should the support and development of youth work continue in future EU youth strategies and programmes (Belgium/German-speaking Community, Malta, Finland), but as a pillar of youth policy (Romania) a more ambitious plan or strategy on youth work is needed. Youth work should not only be regarded as a horizontal issue but also as an individual and important field of action (Estonia, Germany, Malta, Slovenia). There should be a distinction between youth policy and youth work, which should be equally covered (Czech Republic).

It is important to set clear and realistic goals for European cooperation (Finland). The actions and plans for youth work should be more concrete and measurable (Cyprus). Cooperation with regional government authorities and other youth sector actors should be intensified. In order to do so, there should be more strategic use of funding instruments and a clearer link between policy decisions and programmes (Finland). Estonia calls for action plans to involve youth through youth work under the European Structural and Investment Funds. Horizon 2020 should be effectively used for research in the youth (work) field (Estonia). Knowledge on certain topics, including on the history of youth work in Europe, should be deepened (Belgium/Flemish Community). A better coordination of activities between the EU level and the partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe in the youth field is desirable (France).

Quality youth work

Austria suggests that key competences for youth workers should be part of the EU Youth Strategy. Portugal suggests to establish ‘professional and volunteer profile requirements for the exercise of activity in youth projects between European, national and local levels’. Quality standards for youth work defined at EU level to be adapted to national realities (Croatia).

Peer-learning activities and peer reviews will help developing practices and policies around youth work (Czech Republic, Estonia). Under the framework for cooperation concrete policy experimentation projects
  35
  should be carried out, for instance on the professionalisation of youth workers, such as knowledge transfer from France to other countries interested in their legal framework regarding youth workers as salaried employees.

Platforms for dialogue, sustainable networks and partnerships could foster more exchange among youth work actors across Europe (Estonia). Youth workers and leaders should have access to clear information channels activities (Spain).

Recognition of youth work

Member States still insist on raising awareness of the value of youth work to gain more recognition (Estonia, Slovakia). This includes devoting more time for dissemination and implementation (Belgium/French Community) and for supporting a 2020 European Youth Work Convention (European Youth Forum). Cross-sectoral cooperation should be strengthened (Germany, Lithuania, Austria, Slovakia) in particular between formal and non-formal education (Italy, Portugal).

An institutional platform (e.g. a working group) would underpin discussions on national implementation of the EQF and validation of non-formal and informal learning within youth work; both governmental and non-governmental representatives could take part (Austria). There should be closer cooperation between authorities and youth workers (Romania). Sweden suggests developing strategies and measures for National Agencies of Erasmus+ Youth in Action to support youth work.

Digital youth work

The role of youth work in a changing world should be at the centre of EU youth cooperation (Germany). Its potential to offer new services tailored to the needs of young people should be further examined (Serbia).

Youth work would benefit from support step up its capacity to respond to challenges and reap opportunities stemming from new technologies and digital media (Estonia). This could include digital youth work reaching out to youngsters via Internet (Luxembourg). More attention is needed for the development of online tools and e-learning in youth work (Poland).

The ‘Easy Street’ Project (Ireland)

| The ‘Easy Street’ Project (Ireland)


  ‘Easy Street’ engages and works with gang members to support positive change within its members and to facilitate their reintegration into the community. A dedicated outreach team of youth workers builds relationships with young people who are in gangs and encourages young people to look critically at their actions, reflect on the consequences and provides them with alternative options for their behaviour.


  Easy Street engages the gang members, identifies and harnesses the positive attributes within the gang and, using a youth work approach, provides the opportunity for those positive attributes to be experienced by the gang members and seen by others in the community in a more positive light.


  Through this process young people start to see and believe that they have strengths and are not just a nuisance to society and therefore should behave that way. Easy Street provides programmes and interventions that facilitate new experiences, in which needs are met in new ways that result in long term better outcomes for the gang members.


  Easy Street is also based on and supported by community-based role models who have turned their lives around by choosing healthy, positive, alternative lifestyles. Some young people, supported by Easy Street, have completely changed their lifestyles from what they eat, to when they sleep, to what they put into their body in terms of substances, to how they behave in their community, to how they are seen in their family and in turn how they impact on their younger and in some cases older sibling.



  https://publications.europa.eu/s/fnrL | YOUTH WORK |
| --- | --- |

‘Easy Street’ engages and works with gang members to support positive change within its members and to facilitate their reintegration into the community. A dedicated outreach team of youth workers builds relationships with young people who are in gangs and encourages young people to look critically at their actions, reflect on the consequences and provides them with alternative options for their behaviour.

Easy Street engages the gang members, identifies and harnesses the positive attributes within the gang and, using a youth work approach, provides the opportunity for those positive attributes to be experienced by the gang members and seen by others in the community in a more positive light.

Through this process young people start to see and believe that they have strengths and are not just a nuisance to society and therefore should behave that way. Easy Street provides programmes and interventions that facilitate new experiences, in which needs are met in new ways that result in long term better outcomes for the gang members.

Easy Street is also based on and supported by community-based role models who have turned their lives around by choosing healthy, positive, alternative lifestyles. Some young people, supported by Easy Street, have completely changed their lifestyles from what they eat, to when they sleep, to what they put into their body in terms of substances, to how they behave in their community, to how they are seen in their family and in turn how they impact on their younger and in some cases older sibling.

https://publications.europa.eu/s/fnrL

YOUTH WORK

Youth Work Profession Act (Malta)

| Youth Work Profession Act (Malta)


  The Youth Work Profession Act of 2015 gives formal professional recognition and status to youth workers. It regulates the profession and determines the qualifications and conditions for recognition.



  http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=12198&l=1 | YOUTH WORK |
| --- | --- |

The Youth Work Profession Act of 2015 gives formal professional recognition and status to youth workers. It regulates the profession and determines the qualifications and conditions for recognition.

http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=12198&l=1

YOUTH WORK

Development of youth work (Croatia)

| Development of youth work (Croatia)


  The Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy recognises the importance of youth work development, as well as a need for building the skills of youth workers and their professional development.


  In accordance with the National Youth Programme for the period from 2014 to 2017, in order to gain an insight into the organisation and implementation of youth work in Croatia, the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy has established a Working Group to analyse possibilities of professionalising youth work. | YOUTH WORK |
| --- | --- |

The Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy recognises the importance of youth work development, as well as a need for building the skills of youth workers and their professional development.

In accordance with the National Youth Programme for the period from 2014 to 2017, in order to gain an insight into the organisation and implementation of youth work in Croatia, the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy has established a Working Group to analyse possibilities of professionalising youth work.

YOUTH WORK

Day of youth work (Netherlands)

| Day of youth work (Netherlands)


  The National Day of youth work took place on 25 April 2017 (Dag van het Jongerenwerk). The event was a work and exchange meeting of, by and for 250 youth workers from all over the Netherlands. Central theme of the day was ‘Connecting’: the youth worker connecting young people in the neighbourhood; connecting network partners such as the neighbourhood’s police officer, social team, school and work; connecting youth workers with each other



  https://www.aanmelden.nl/92866 | YOUTH WORK |
| --- | --- |

The National Day of youth work took place on 25 April 2017 (Dag van het Jongerenwerk). The event was a work and exchange meeting of, by and for 250 youth workers from all over the Netherlands. Central theme of the day was ‘Connecting’: the youth worker connecting young people in the neighbourhood; connecting network partners such as the neighbourhood’s police officer, social team, school and work; connecting youth workers with each other

https://www.aanmelden.nl/92866

YOUTH WORK

3.4. Cross-border mobility of young volunteers

The framework for youth cooperation includes the promotion of learning mobility of all young people and of cross-border mobility of young volunteers in and outside of Europe. The Member States were asked what currently works well and what they would recommend for the future.

Achievements under the current framework for cooperation

The cross-border youth mobility programmes, including youth exchanges and cross-border volunteering, are unanimously seen as a great success under Erasmus+
  36
  with an extremely high interest among young people and an important unmet demand in some countries.

National reports highlight a series of success factors, such as:

·High quality standards under the European Voluntary Service (EVS) (Lithuania, Austria);

·Support tools under the EVS (Latvia, Lithuania);

·Good knowledge management and the dissemination of good practices by National Agencies (Poland, Slovakia);

·Variety of duration and placements, which allowed engagement of a diverse group of young people (Lithuania, Malta, Sweden);

·A single brand name (Denmark) and good promotion by Eurodesk and other youth networks and organisations at regional and local level (Spain, France, Poland, Slovakia);

·A relatively simple and transparent implementation structure, which allowed both less and more experienced organisations to participate (Denmark, Croatia);

·Dissemination of results from research and studies on the benefits of mobility (Sweden)

·Concept that mobility is for all (Italy) coupled with a learner-centred approach and empowerment of young people (European Youth Forum).

Beside the impact of cross-border mobility on individuals, some reports stress the positive outcomes at institutional and systemic level. In particular, the internationalisation of local organisations (Malta) and enhanced capacity of youth organisations and workers (Slovenia) are seen as important benefits for participating organisations.

Mobility has become an integral part of national youth policy agendas in Germany and Estonia. The EU agenda inspired national initiatives around cross-border mobility, for instance JiVE
  37
  in Germany, which promotes the participation of young people from all backgrounds in a mobility experience.

The role of the 2008 Council recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers across the EU
  38
  was acknowledged as an important contribution to national policy-making (France). In Austria, it resulted in legislative changes, notably the creation of a legal status of volunteers. In this context, greater compliance with the Visa Directive
  39
  applying to EVS volunteers was also highlighted (Belgium/French Community).

The expert groups and policy recommendations at EU level and in individual projects are seen useful (France, Italy). The cooperation framework is helpful in increasing understanding and dialogue among policy-makers, experts, educators and practitioners (Italy).

Recommendations for the future

In light of the above, the reports stress the need to build on the achievements of the current framework for cooperation and cross-border mobility programmes (Czech Republic, Austria). Continuity is seen as particularly important with regard to the establishment of the European Solidarity Corps. A series of concrete recommendations for the future have been made:

Adequate funding

Given the important unmet demand, several reports emphasise the need to ensure adequate funding by a separate budget line (Slovenia) and increased allocations (France), whilst the possibility of drawing on national and/or regional funds (Italy, Lithuania) should be explored.

Greater outreach

While cross-border mobility actions have already reached a significant number of young people, there seems to be a consensus on the need to increase outreach further. Some suggestions go as far as every young person should have an opportunity for a mobility action for at least 6 months (Serbia, European Youth Forum). At the same time, the risk of losing quality as a result of too much focus on quantity was raised (Sweden).

The reports call for involving more young people with fewer opportunities (Spain, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, Sweden) and allowing young people from different backgrounds to meet each other (Luxembourg). The programme should become more inclusive and more accessible, while engaging non-organised young people is more costly (Estonia). Introducing financial incentives (Sweden) and providing additional funding could help remove financial barriers to participation and ensure greater involvement of smaller organisations (Malta). The formats on offer should be further diversified to better respond to young people’s needs. A pathway approach, including short-term and in-country mobility as a step forward to transnational mobility (Germany, Spain, Latvia, Austria, Finland) would be particularly useful for disadvantaged young people. The novel features of the European Solidarity Corps, with opportunities for in-country placements, were welcome.

More promotion is also needed to increase outreach (Belgium/Flemish Community, Cyprus), for instance by encouraging networks (e.g. Eurodesk, European Youth Information and Counselling Agencies, European Youth Card Association) to develop information tools and step up their information activities (Portugal). The multipliers network should be further expanded and volunteering organisations operating in countries should be supported in their transition to international level (Slovakia). Youth organisations should make better use of digital tools and use more social networks/media (Slovakia).

Quality and recognition of cross-border mobility of young people

Member States stress that the benefits of international mobility should be better valued (Croatia, Italy) and its positive impact should be communicated more at local level (France). Awareness-raising, including sharing data with stakeholders (Slovakia), could be useful. It is also important to stay focused on quality and dissemination of good practice (Spain). The validation of competences should be further supported, for instance by promoting recognition tools, such as Youthpass. There is a need to develop a greater awareness by employers about the added value of non-formal learning mobility (France).

Simplified implementation

The implementation mechanism of cross-border mobility actions is seen as relatively simple, accessible and transparent (Poland) and the simplified reporting requirements are appreciated (Denmark). Yet, some reports see scope to further reduce administrative burden (Luxembourg, Austria, Finland). Among the administrative barriers highlighted are difficulties engaging young people registered with the national employment office and lengthy visa procedures. In this context, it was suggested that all young people on mobility should benefit from the simplified visa application process (Lithuania). The importance of greater flexibility was also stressed (United Kingdom).

Reinforced policy cooperation

With the steady increase of cross-border mobility actions and the establishment of the European Solidarity Corps, there is a need for better cooperation on volunteering at EU level (Austria). A clearer status of volunteers would be an important step (Sweden) and further administrative and legal obstacles should be removed. It is also important to take account of national context and focus on local impact (Slovenia).

| Lifting young people out of exclusion through volunteering (Sweden)


  Since 2011 the organisation ‘ITER’ has sent 69 young volunteers (15 to 20 each year) abroad. It is geared towards young people not yet established on the labour market or lacking a natural point of entry. It aims to prevent long-term exclusion from the job market and society and to make the young people active, independent and employable.


  Before the exchange, they take part in networking meetings and training sessions on local culture, English language and voluntary work, and receive guidance from the staff. Then they travel abroad individually and work for between two weeks and twelve months at one of the project’s partner organisations. A support worker accompanies them and stays for the first one or two nights. On completing the volunteering period, the young people meet again in network meetings to share experiences. The City of Gothenburg uses this information for planning both the programme and the person’s next step towards gaining employment or starting education.


  The City of Gothenburg has broadened its working methods and learning from its work with the international partner organisations. It has been pushed to become more flexible and adaptable and keep up-to-date in a different way. These experiences from international work have a knock-on effect on other managers and colleagues in the organisation.


  82% of participants have gone on to work or study after participating in the project. This lifts many young people out of exclusion and crime, providing great benefits to society. ITER, prioritised socially excluded young people or young people with special needs.


  Erasmus+ was used to the necessary contacts currently with partner organisations abroad. It is likely that the municipality would not have contributed financially if the EU had not been involved in financing it and it would have been a one-off project instead of the continuity that ITER has become. | VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES |
| --- | --- |

Lifting young people out of exclusion through volunteering (Sweden)

Since 2011 the organisation ‘ITER’ has sent 69 young volunteers (15 to 20 each year) abroad. It is geared towards young people not yet established on the labour market or lacking a natural point of entry. It aims to prevent long-term exclusion from the job market and society and to make the young people active, independent and employable.

Before the exchange, they take part in networking meetings and training sessions on local culture, English language and voluntary work, and receive guidance from the staff. Then they travel abroad individually and work for between two weeks and twelve months at one of the project’s partner organisations. A support worker accompanies them and stays for the first one or two nights. On completing the volunteering period, the young people meet again in network meetings to share experiences. The City of Gothenburg uses this information for planning both the programme and the person’s next step towards gaining employment or starting education.

The City of Gothenburg has broadened its working methods and learning from its work with the international partner organisations. It has been pushed to become more flexible and adaptable and keep up-to-date in a different way. These experiences from international work have a knock-on effect on other managers and colleagues in the organisation.

82% of participants have gone on to work or study after participating in the project. This lifts many young people out of exclusion and crime, providing great benefits to society. ITER, prioritised socially excluded young people or young people with special needs.

Erasmus+ was used to the necessary contacts currently with partner organisations abroad. It is likely that the municipality would not have contributed financially if the EU had not been involved in financing it and it would have been a one-off project instead of the continuity that ITER has become.

VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES

3.5. Structured Dialogue with young people and youth organisations

Building on initial dialogue attempts, structured dialogue has mainly taken off in 2010 and is now well-recognised, reaching tens of thousands young people who discuss a specific topic every year all over Europe
  40
  . It inspired many participatory processes at different governance levels. Some shortcomings have also been identified, the 2015 EU Youth Report already concluded that the structured dialogue must reach a much wider audience of youth groups, especially those that have not engaged in the dialogue so far.

In its ‘Resolution on the Structured Dialogue and the future development of the dialogue with young people in the context of policies for European cooperation in the youth field, post 2018’
  41
  , the Council invited the Commission, ‘based on the evidence, evaluation and consultations’, to ‘propose a renewed Structured Dialogue process as part of the European Cooperation in the Youth Field – post 2018.’

This section takes stock of Member States’ most recent experiences with the Structured Dialogue
  42
  . General information about the opportunities available to young citizens in Europe to participate in politics and civil society can be found in Chapter 5 of the Youth Wiki
  43
  .

New engagement tools

Broadly speaking, Member States affirm to have introduced new engagement tools during Cycle V (2016 – mid-2017) though in various ways and with varying degrees of success. Imprecise and abstractly formulated questions were often identified as a root cause of low response rates (Belgium/French Community, Czech Republic, Germany), with a need to adapt the questions to national or even a local context (Austria, European Youth Forum). Young people should be encouraged to express themselves and overcome communication barriers (Romania). Timing of consultations was sometimes seen as an issue (Germany, Czech Republic). Lack of awareness and information appears to be a recurrent issue (Germany, Spain, France, Slovenia), as well as poor visibility and lack of recognition of the Structured Dialogue (Croatia).

If the Structured Dialogue is ‘too structured’ there is a risk that the process takes priority over the content (Luxembourg). Reaching NEETS (Sweden) and other disadvantaged young people (Cyprus) or even all those who are just less active (Poland) was seen as the single biggest challenge (Cyprus, Sweden). On the other hand, some responses indicated that no major difficulties or obstacles had been encountered (Netherlands) and many replies indicated a rich experience based on diverse and innovative solutions invented nationally and locally, including partnerships with broadcasters (Austria), online (Finland) as well as offline (Malta) tools, pointing to the need for a mixed methodology. Street counselling in cooperation with trainers from the National Youth Council (Slovenia) has the potential to reach out to the harder-to-reach young people, with traditional media (including newspapers, magazines, TV channels) retaining an important role as opposed to new media outlets (social networks, portals, e-blogs, etc.) (Austria). Hardcopy documents including ‘action cards’ (Czech Republic) and postcards (Slovenia) are useful in some national contexts. Reaching out young people with face-to-face questioning in the margin of other free time or educational activities like festivals, NGOs fairs and linked topics fairs (Czech Republic, Austria, Romania) appears to be particularly successful with disadvantaged young people.

Changes made to the Structured Dialogue since its inception

Recent changes to the Structured Dialogue are judged differently by Member States, making it hard to detect a unifying trend, except that more structure in an 18-month cycle (United Kingdom) appears to enjoy broad support. The introduction of grants paid to the National Working Groups was welcomed (Czech Republic, France, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Finland, European Youth Forum), as they are seen as having enabled more structural and systematic cooperation and inclusion of more partners (Czech Republic). Some doubt if the grants are sufficient (Austria) and also wonder if they should be extended to international non-governmental youth organisations (Slovenia).

Still, not all Member States use online tools, while Slovakia added to appreciate the involvement of new actors, such as Erasmus+ National Agencies at the EU youth conference. Not all used the online tool available in the European Youth Portal (Austria, Belgium/Flemish Community Germany) as they preferred a national tool either as it was more apt to reach specific target groups or because it offered more functionalities (Germany). One reply indicated that "a simple translation of the guiding questions is not useful for young people" and would require redrafting (Belgium/Flemish Community), while another expressed unconditional support for the EU-wide tool (Sweden). Germany added that successful youth participation would always depend upon a mix of offline and online elements, noting that "online tools alone do not provide for better participation". Luxembourg found the tools on offer ‘really not useful’, suggesting to ‘give recommendations and support for using the tools that young people already use (Snapchat, Instagram, etc.). Germany indicated that the perceived superiority of the national online participation tool was due to the built-in protocol. Such questions need to be addressed as they raise the question of how a uniform implementation of the Structured Dialogue can be ensured at all.

Need for improvements in the future dialogue

The Czech Republic considers longer grants for National Working Groups crucial in improving the Structured Dialogue along with vastly improved reporting and feedback: ‘So far, there is no clear reporting by States on how conclusions are implemented. Many young people all over Europe participate in the process and raise their voices. They should know what political follow-up was given to their input to develop trust in political systems. The absence of feedback can lead to frustration. The political commitment to work on implementation, provide feedback in a real dialogue with young people and to focus on evaluation and monitoring results are crucial (Austria). For maximal impact and a credible participatory policy-making process, architecture and timing are crucial. The topic and objectives should be clear from the start and the process should support reaching those objectives (Belgium/Flemish Community). The process lacks transparency at European and often also national level. This puts into question the dialogue’s legitimacy even if the process as such has a big positive impact. The complexity and complicated nature of the dialogue is hard to bring close to average young people and youth workers (Czech Republic). Also indicators as to the impact of recommendations at European level are missing (Portugal). There was a call for more ‘scrutiny around implementation, as it is unclear who is accountable for what follow-up. Another parallel process/grant to focus solemnly on implementation will make the process truly worthy, increasing significantly its importance and impact’ (United Kingdom).

Mental health project (Belgium/Flemish Community)

| Mental health project (Belgium/Flemish Community)


  The Flemish Youth Council – the official advisory body of the Flemish Government on all matters concerning children and young people – makes use of the Structured Dialogue process to put issues on the political agenda and to make them visible. In the last cycle, for instance, mental health problems of young people were put forward.



  https://vlaamsejeugdraad.be/psychisch-welzijn-project-2016-2017 | HEALTH AND WELL-BEING |
| --- | --- |

The Flemish Youth Council – the official advisory body of the Flemish Government on all matters concerning children and young people – makes use of the Structured Dialogue process to put issues on the political agenda and to make them visible. In the last cycle, for instance, mental health problems of young people were put forward.

https://vlaamsejeugdraad.be/psychisch-welzijn-project-2016-2017

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Structured Dialogue Ambassadors (Spain)

| Structured Dialogue Ambassadors (Spain)


  On national level, the Structured Dialogue is significant to foster cooperation between different youth policy actors. Since 2010 the implication of the Structured Dialogue has gained in importance. Spain developed a system of ‘Structured Dialogue Ambassadors’ in every region linked to the youth councils and the DGs (political level) on youth issues. A system of trainings, events and consultations at different levels (national, regional and local) have fostered cooperation and dialogue between authorities and young people.


  Since 2015, the Structured Dialogue in Spain has included a national event, apart from the regional ones, between young people and the DGs to work on the Structured Dialogue cycle recommendations. But this has been the basis of a deep cooperation and a joint work on the regional level. Numerous joint projects and events have been carried out since then.



  www.dialogoestructurado.cje.org | STRUCTURED DIALOGUE |
| --- | --- |

On national level, the Structured Dialogue is significant to foster cooperation between different youth policy actors. Since 2010 the implication of the Structured Dialogue has gained in importance. Spain developed a system of ‘Structured Dialogue Ambassadors’ in every region linked to the youth councils and the DGs (political level) on youth issues. A system of trainings, events and consultations at different levels (national, regional and local) have fostered cooperation and dialogue between authorities and young people.

Since 2015, the Structured Dialogue in Spain has included a national event, apart from the regional ones, between young people and the DGs to work on the Structured Dialogue cycle recommendations. But this has been the basis of a deep cooperation and a joint work on the regional level. Numerous joint projects and events have been carried out since then.

www.dialogoestructurado.cje.org

STRUCTURED DIALOGUE

Youth Municipal Councils (Italy)

| Youth Municipal Councils (Italy)


  Numerous Italian municipalities have formally set up a Youth Municipal Council, an organ that involves the young people in the civil life of the communities, with the following goals:


  ·To promote information of public level activities among young people;


  ·To design projects together with similar organisations in other municipalities;


  ·To cooperate with the administration to realise programmes and initiatives for young people. | PARTICIPATION |
| --- | --- |

Numerous Italian municipalities have formally set up a Youth Municipal Council, an organ that involves the young people in the civil life of the communities, with the following goals:

·To promote information of public level activities among young people;

·To design projects together with similar organisations in other municipalities;

·To cooperate with the administration to realise programmes and initiatives for young people.

PARTICIPATION

Annual public consultation of young people (Cyprus)

| Annual public consultation of young people (Cyprus)


  A good practice that illustrates the impact of the framework of cooperation in Cyprus is the decision of the Youth Board of Cyprus (with the recognition and authorisation of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the President of the Republic of Cyprus) to organise, on an annual basis, a public consultation for all young people and discussing matters either arising from the EU Youth Strategy (2010-2018) or other issues that concern young people. This allows young people to be heard, as the results of the consultation are given to the Ministry of Education and Culture and the State in general. In this way, more emphasis is given to youth participation in many aspects of the society.



  http://onek.org.cy/en/home-page/news/ | PARTICIPATION |
| --- | --- |

A good practice that illustrates the impact of the framework of cooperation in Cyprus is the decision of the Youth Board of Cyprus (with the recognition and authorisation of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the President of the Republic of Cyprus) to organise, on an annual basis, a public consultation for all young people and discussing matters either arising from the EU Youth Strategy (2010-2018) or other issues that concern young people. This allows young people to be heard, as the results of the consultation are given to the Ministry of Education and Culture and the State in general. In this way, more emphasis is given to youth participation in many aspects of the society.

http://onek.org.cy/en/home-page/news/

PARTICIPATION

National Working Group for the Structured Dialogue (Poland)

| National Working Group for the Structured Dialogue (Poland)


  One of the visible effects of European youth cooperation is the involvement of Poland in activities related to the promotion and implementation of the Structured Dialogue.


  To this purpose, the National Working Group for the Structured Dialogue includes representatives of the Ministry of National Education, the Polish Council of Youth Organisations (PROM) and the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Currently, the involvement of representatives of the Polish Children and Youth Council, operating since 2016 under the authority of the Minister of National Education, in the works of the above-mentioned working group is being considered. | STRUCTURED DIALOGUE |
| --- | --- |

One of the visible effects of European youth cooperation is the involvement of Poland in activities related to the promotion and implementation of the Structured Dialogue.

To this purpose, the National Working Group for the Structured Dialogue includes representatives of the Ministry of National Education, the Polish Council of Youth Organisations (PROM) and the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Currently, the involvement of representatives of the Polish Children and Youth Council, operating since 2016 under the authority of the Minister of National Education, in the works of the above-mentioned working group is being considered.

STRUCTURED DIALOGUE

Paying more attention to citizenship education (European Youth Forum)

| Paying more attention to citizenship education (European Youth Forum)


  At EU level, in 2017, young people could present a recommendation from Cycle IV of the Structured Dialogue to the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education. It focused on citizenship education, a topic that is not addressed enough at EU level. These representatives could raise more attention at EU level and take a step to include the European Parliament in the Structured Dialogue, which rarely happens. As citizenship education is a growing area of interest for policy-makers in light of the need to engage more young people in politics and society as a whole, this topic was very timely.


  The European Youth Forum hopes that this will lead to greater attention to citizenship education and more involvement of the European Parliament in Structured Dialogue.



  http://www.youthforum.org/latest-news/discussions-on-the-structured-dialogue-with-the-committee-on-culture-and-education/ | STRUCTURED DIALOGUE |
| --- | --- |

At EU level, in 2017, young people could present a recommendation from Cycle IV of the Structured Dialogue to the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education. It focused on citizenship education, a topic that is not addressed enough at EU level. These representatives could raise more attention at EU level and take a step to include the European Parliament in the Structured Dialogue, which rarely happens. As citizenship education is a growing area of interest for policy-makers in light of the need to engage more young people in politics and society as a whole, this topic was very timely.

The European Youth Forum hopes that this will lead to greater attention to citizenship education and more involvement of the European Parliament in Structured Dialogue.

http://www.youthforum.org/latest-news/discussions-on-the-structured-dialogue-with-the-committee-on-culture-and-education/

STRUCTURED DIALOGUE

3.6. EU programmes and funds

The framework for cooperation suggests that effective use be made of EU funds, such as the European Structural and Investment Funds, Erasmus+, Creative Europe, the programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs and relevant EU programmes and funds in the areas of external relations and development cooperation.

Use of available EU funds

Analysis of information in the Youth Wiki, Section 1.7 ‘Funding youth policy’
  44
  , shows that Erasmus+ Youth and the Youth Employment Initiative linked to the European Social Fund make up by far the two most important EU funding sources for youth. A number of other EU programmes are also mentioned:

·Other European Structural and Investment Funds, namely the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF);

·Creative Europe;

·Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (part of COSME, the programme for the competitiveness of enterprises and SMEs 2014-2020).

In addition, many projects focusing on young people feed into youth policy development on national and European level.

Most frequently mentioned are ESF funded national projects
  45
  . In several countries EU funded projects focusing on youth employment are supporting traineeships and apprenticeships at national level (Czech Republic, Estonia, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom).

Drawing policy recommendations out of successful projects

Member States were asked what they would suggest to better draw policy recommendations out of the results of successful projects on the ground.

Connection between EU funded projects and the EU Youth Strategy

Almost all reports
  46
  highlight the need to connect the results of EU funded projects, in particular Erasmus+ and youth policy at EU, national and local level. Among the most frequent suggestions is better drawing policy recommendations from successful projects on the ground. The EU Youth Strategy should more often address the need to use EU funding to support the positive development of young people and the youth sector (Estonia, Croatia, Austria). In the same vein, relevant EU funding programmes should build on the EU Youth Strategy and corresponding budget should be earmarked (Germany) and its themes and objectives of should be reflected in Erasmus+ Youth (Germany). Funding guidelines need to be aligned with policy aims and policy needs to build on projects results (Cyprus). Many countries (Croatia, Cyprus and Latvia) point to the potential in Erasmus+ projects under Key Action 2 and 3 to provide policy recommendations at both local and EU level.

Consultations with beneficiaries are crucial input for policy recommendations and decisions to renew programmes should build on the experiences of organisations active in youth (Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal), for instance through dialogues with stakeholders, networks at national, European or international level or systematic dissemination of projects results. A few countries find listening to the views of disadvantaged young people particularly important in such processes (Netherlands, Austria).

A few countries call for common quality standards of national strategic and programme documents. For Croatia and Italy, the Commission should continue to support recognition of non-formal and informal learning and promote the use of national recognition tools.

The impact of Erasmus+ on policy-making in Slovenia

| The impact of Erasmus+ on policy-making in Slovenia


  Erasmus+ influenced the understanding of youth policy by solidifying a horizontal youth policy approach. It triggered initiatives pursuing professionalisation and recognition of youth work as an occupational qualification, promotion and comprehension of learning mobility, etc. In many ways it has become the tool for renewing policy mechanisms, testing new ideas and innovative approaches. Issues are frequently placed on the policy agenda thanks to Erasmus+. Hence, the programme has had a significant systemic impact and is an important driver for policy-making, although, to many, it proves to be less pivotal and influential than the previous one, also due to integration of youth in the bigger Erasmus+. Nevertheless, Erasmus+ achieves clear synergetic effects with the national call for activities to promote youth work. |
| --- |

Erasmus+ influenced the understanding of youth policy by solidifying a horizontal youth policy approach. It triggered initiatives pursuing professionalisation and recognition of youth work as an occupational qualification, promotion and comprehension of learning mobility, etc. In many ways it has become the tool for renewing policy mechanisms, testing new ideas and innovative approaches. Issues are frequently placed on the policy agenda thanks to Erasmus+. Hence, the programme has had a significant systemic impact and is an important driver for policy-making, although, to many, it proves to be less pivotal and influential than the previous one, also due to integration of youth in the bigger Erasmus+. Nevertheless, Erasmus+ achieves clear synergetic effects with the national call for activities to promote youth work.

Networks and information sharing on national and international level

The need for the Commission to stimulate cooperation among youth actors, stepping up opportunities for exchange of good practices and experiences to help improve programmes was frequently noted (Italy, Malta and Serbia). At national level, programmes would also benefit from regular networking and information-sharing (Lithuania). These networks could allow organisations, already at the time of final project evaluation, to draw conclusions that could feed policy-shaping and could be used to disseminate information about policy development at grassroot level (Belgium/German-speaking Community, Cyprus). National authorities should jointly favour projects that provide European added value and that these projects feed policy development (Austria). For Germany, supporting structures are key to ensure a communication flow between projects and decision-makers, and between different levels (European, national, regional, local) for an effective transfer of results.

Malta points to findings from the RAY network
  47
  that projects supporting cross-sectoral cooperation achieved better quality results and had more impact on the participants in terms of acquisition and recognition of skills and competences. The flexibility afforded by Erasmus+ allows new organisations and informal groups to benefit from funding, particularly in activities involving mobility. In a national context (Malta), this has allowed experienced organisations further enhance their network of cooperation and through capacity-building be able to engage in larger projects. At the same time, new organisations extend the reach of Erasmus+ to new communities of young people at grass-roots level.

Member States point out that before developing new networks, the links to be created should be identified and how these should complement each other in order to achieve results and get political support at EU level. Member States should be consulted on changes in the programme and be evidence-based (Czech Republic, Spain, Luxembourg).

More Europe-wide research and impact evaluation

A concrete suggestion on improving use of policy recommendations from successful projects is the need for more research-based analysis of the effects on youth policy development and youth work practices (France, Croatia, Lithuania, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom).

Today the RAY network produces evidence of the impact of Erasmus+ Youth on participants, project leaders and organisations, but Member States are missing research on the EU programmes’ effects on youth policy development and youth work practices (Finland). Since the instruments are implemented through different institutions and organisations it is difficult to get a full overview (Lithuania). A more systematic involvement of stakeholders (Austria) and continuous and comprehensive monitoring of the long-term impact of the programmes (Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden) will enable evidence-based policy-making on both national and European level. In this context, Germany is in favour of reintroducing a specific programme committee for Erasmus+ Youth.

Sustainable dissemination of projects results

The Erasmus+ Project Results Platform gives access to descriptions, results and contact information of projects funded under the Erasmus+ programme (see box).

The dissemination of projects to may eventually result in the transformation of well-functioning initiatives into universally applicable solutions. Many Member States highlight that better visibility would help make strategic use of successful projects (Belgium/French Community, Denmark, Spain, France, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden). Austria calls for seminars and conferences to present specific projects and greater promotion of the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. Finland points out that merely collecting good practices is not adequate, as analyses of why a certain project was successful and whether it could be replicated in different circumstances should also be produced.

| Erasmus+ Project Results Platform


  This database provides access to descriptions, results and contact information of all projects funded under Erasmus+ and under its predecessor programmes in the fields of education, training, youth and sports. It includes a pool of good practices and success stories, i.e. projects that distinguished themselves in terms of policy relevance, communication potential, impact or design.


  Why use the Erasmus+ Projects Results?


  ·Explore past funded projects.


  ·Enhance the visibility of your project.


  ·Share the results of your project with other people interested in the same topics.


  ·Find inspiration.


  ·Find partners for future projects



  http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/ |
| --- |

Erasmus+ Project Results Platform

This database provides access to descriptions, results and contact information of all projects funded under Erasmus+ and under its predecessor programmes in the fields of education, training, youth and sports. It includes a pool of good practices and success stories, i.e. projects that distinguished themselves in terms of policy relevance, communication potential, impact or design.

Why use the Erasmus+ Projects Results?

·Explore past funded projects.

·Enhance the visibility of your project.

·Share the results of your project with other people interested in the same topics.

·Find inspiration.

·Find partners for future projects

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/

Investing in youth across sectors

The European Youth Forum calls for a cross-sectoral approach to youth policy and a need to prioritise investment in the human and social capital of young people within the EU budget. The Forum deplores that although education and youth policy are vital to creating inclusive societies, ‘by allocating only 0.8% of the total budget to education and youth-related issues, investment remains nevertheless timid within the current Multiannual Financial Framework.

Lithuania suggests to increase the support for policy reform in funding instruments, especially Erasmus+ Youth. Estonia suggests address youth and youth work in the future operational programmes post 2020. Operational programmes are detailed plans in which the Member States set out how the European Structural and Investment Funds will be spent during the programming period.

Creativity and culture - IN THE PALACE volunteer programme (Bulgaria)

| Creativity and culture - IN THE PALACE volunteer programme (Bulgaria)


  The volunteer programme IN THE PALACE offers 6 young people from different countries the chance to get an inside touch of the organisation of established short film events such as International Short Film Festival IN THE PALACE, its parallel programmes in film training PLUG-IN and industry meetings FILMER FORGE, its accompanying film forums and other initiatives. The project is implemented by Format SFF Foundation.


  The project lasts for 15 months and the volunteers will spend 10 months in Bulgaria to participate in the preparation and conduct of the festival and its parallel events. They will also lend a hand to the organisation in its daily activities and lead volunteer teams before, during and after the festival events. Volunteers are engaged in tasks related to promotion, getting familiar with the atmosphere and the venues of the events, and tasks, developing creativity in the fields of cinema, journalism, design and photography. Leading goal is to quickly adapt to the environment and form a specific attitude for the upcoming events. Analysis and assessment of personal qualities and interests is important, since based on them will be done the distribution in activities. In the phase of actual conduct of the events the tasks of the volunteers are related to specific details in organising events. In this way they will be able to explore in detail the organisation of a major international event and to acquire more and new knowledge and skills.



  http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/a13c3381-b9d7-4e1d-9be2-a4f8df3a2cc6 | EU PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS |
| --- | --- |

The volunteer programme IN THE PALACE offers 6 young people from different countries the chance to get an inside touch of the organisation of established short film events such as International Short Film Festival IN THE PALACE, its parallel programmes in film training PLUG-IN and industry meetings FILMER FORGE, its accompanying film forums and other initiatives. The project is implemented by Format SFF Foundation.

The project lasts for 15 months and the volunteers will spend 10 months in Bulgaria to participate in the preparation and conduct of the festival and its parallel events. They will also lend a hand to the organisation in its daily activities and lead volunteer teams before, during and after the festival events. Volunteers are engaged in tasks related to promotion, getting familiar with the atmosphere and the venues of the events, and tasks, developing creativity in the fields of cinema, journalism, design and photography. Leading goal is to quickly adapt to the environment and form a specific attitude for the upcoming events. Analysis and assessment of personal qualities and interests is important, since based on them will be done the distribution in activities. In the phase of actual conduct of the events the tasks of the volunteers are related to specific details in organising events. In this way they will be able to explore in detail the organisation of a major international event and to acquire more and new knowledge and skills.

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/a13c3381-b9d7-4e1d-9be2-a4f8df3a2cc6

EU PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS

Uniting vocation, active citizenship and entrepreneurship in youth work (Hungary)

| Uniting vocation, active citizenship and entrepreneurship in youth work (Hungary)


  The strategic partnership ‘proVOCAting innovaTION - uniting vocation, active citizenship and entrepreneurship in youth work’ is designed to develop and implement innovative approaches in youth work through exchanging experience and co-developing an educational curriculum and related teaching and learning material. It focuses on three topics: authentic vocation, active citizenship and social entrepreneurship.


  The project responds to the need for an educational programme and relevant material, which combines these three areas. The project thus aims to realise the often separately treated areas of vocation, active citizenship and entrepreneurship simultaneously to empower young people to become initiators of sustainable projects, which not only support themselves but also contribute to creating a democratic, inclusive, just, sustainable and creative European society.


  Through gathering four organisations (Pandora Association from Hungary, GetActive from Austria, Paradiso Ritrovato from Italy and oikos Lebenskunst e.V. from Germany) across Europe the project pursues a multilevel approach, which includes exchange of best practices, non-formal education, know-how and youth work methodologies, the development of innovative educational material such as a course curriculum, a handbook, a Creative Coaching Kit and a project website. Young people, youth workers and professionals active on the field of youth work will be involved at all levels.



  http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/0cc9d919-9723-4870-a34b-4260fc08bd30 | EU PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS |
| --- | --- |

The strategic partnership ‘proVOCAting innovaTION - uniting vocation, active citizenship and entrepreneurship in youth work’ is designed to develop and implement innovative approaches in youth work through exchanging experience and co-developing an educational curriculum and related teaching and learning material. It focuses on three topics: authentic vocation, active citizenship and social entrepreneurship.

The project responds to the need for an educational programme and relevant material, which combines these three areas. The project thus aims to realise the often separately treated areas of vocation, active citizenship and entrepreneurship simultaneously to empower young people to become initiators of sustainable projects, which not only support themselves but also contribute to creating a democratic, inclusive, just, sustainable and creative European society.

Through gathering four organisations (Pandora Association from Hungary, GetActive from Austria, Paradiso Ritrovato from Italy and oikos Lebenskunst e.V. from Germany) across Europe the project pursues a multilevel approach, which includes exchange of best practices, non-formal education, know-how and youth work methodologies, the development of innovative educational material such as a course curriculum, a handbook, a Creative Coaching Kit and a project website. Young people, youth workers and professionals active on the field of youth work will be involved at all levels.

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/0cc9d919-9723-4870-a34b-4260fc08bd30

EU PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS

Skills development in youth work (Slovakia)

| Skills development in youth work (Slovakia)


  In 2011-2015, the Slovak Youth Institute implemented the ESF project ‘KomPrax - Competence for Practice’. It aims to give people and youth workers access to acquiring competences in youth work and provide counselling services. The ESF national project PRAKTIK (Practical Skills through Non-Formal Education in Youth Work) was implemented by the Slovak Youth Institute and focused on practical skills in youth work.


  KomPrax -

  https://www.iuventa.sk/sk/KomPrax/Home.alej

   


  PRAKTIK -

  https://www.iuventa.sk/sk/sub/projektpraktik/novinky-1.alej | EU PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS |
| --- | --- |

In 2011-2015, the Slovak Youth Institute implemented the ESF project ‘KomPrax - Competence for Practice’. It aims to give people and youth workers access to acquiring competences in youth work and provide counselling services. The ESF national project PRAKTIK (Practical Skills through Non-Formal Education in Youth Work) was implemented by the Slovak Youth Institute and focused on practical skills in youth work.

KomPrax -

  https://www.iuventa.sk/sk/KomPrax/Home.alej

PRAKTIK -

  https://www.iuventa.sk/sk/sub/projektpraktik/novinky-1.alej

EU PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS

Youthpass – Useful or Useless? Let’s Debate (Romania)

| Youthpass – Useful or Useless? Let’s Debate (Romania)


  ‘Youthpass – Useful or Useless? Let’s Debate’ was a youth exchange in 2017 held in Busteni, Romania, with 45 participants from 8 countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy, Latvia, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Romania including 18 youngsters with fewer opportunities.


  The project aimed to address youth unemployment and misunderstanding of role of key competences and the Youthpass certificate for getting a job. It wanted to raise awareness if youngsters for the value of key competences in their personal and professional development and of using the Youthpass certificate to valorise the competences assimilated through voluntary service and non-formal education.



  http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/b6e2f392-c676-4e1e-8ee3-c79a8f26de7e | EU PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS |
| --- | --- |

‘Youthpass – Useful or Useless? Let’s Debate’ was a youth exchange in 2017 held in Busteni, Romania, with 45 participants from 8 countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy, Latvia, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Romania including 18 youngsters with fewer opportunities.

The project aimed to address youth unemployment and misunderstanding of role of key competences and the Youthpass certificate for getting a job. It wanted to raise awareness if youngsters for the value of key competences in their personal and professional development and of using the Youthpass certificate to valorise the competences assimilated through voluntary service and non-formal education.

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/b6e2f392-c676-4e1e-8ee3-c79a8f26de7e

EU PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS

Section 4 – Other stakeholder consultations

4.1. Outcomes of the consultations

During more than a year, the Commission has gathered views from stakeholders and the general public on the EU Youth Strategy, in a ‘year of listening’. This exercise included several consultations: online targeted surveys, a public consultation, focus groups, a stakeholder conference, debates organised under the ‘New Narrative for Europe’ initiative and a cycle of Structured Dialogue with young people.

Online public consultation

A public consultation
  48
  in 2016 allowed to check the results of the evaluation on the EU Youth Strategy. It included 15 questions about the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and EU added value of the EU Youth Strategy and the Council Recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers. The online consultation included future-oriented questions, with a view to use the outcomes when preparing the post-2018 youth policy cooperation. There were 269 respondents: 175 individuals and 94 organisations.

Most respondents knew the EU Youth Strategy: roughly 9 out of 10. Two thirds had participated in at least one activity under the EU Youth Strategy since 2010. At least 7 out of 10 respondents believed that the EU Youth Strategy helped national and regional policies as well as youth organisations and young people in some way. A great majority deemed the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy to be in line with national policies (84%).

Most respondents perceived an added value of the EU Youth Strategy in comparison with local, regional or national measures in every aspect mentioned. Respondents were most positive about the strategy’s additional benefit as regards the development of a consistent approach on youth (79% believed that the EU Youth Strategy helped develop a youth strategy or a consistent approach to young people and youth policy at national level); for 75% the strategy made national/regional and EU-wide youth-related measures more coherent, and for 74% it helped to place young people higher on the EU political agenda and the coherence between national, regional and EU-wide measures.

The respondents were also asked about future priorities for EU youth policy cooperation. The areas with the highest support were ‘Lowering youth unemployment and inactivity’ and ‘Improving the social situation of young people at risk of poverty or exclusion’. Respectively 83% and 79% of the respondents have indicated that these areas should be a ‘high priority’. Other areas, such as ‘Supporting and developing youth work and non-formal learning’ (73% of total respondents), ‘Preventing marginalisation or violent radicalisation among young people’ (72%) and ‘Supporting the involvement of youth organisations and young people in policy-making and other democratic processes’ (70%) followed closely thereafter.

According to a majority of respondents (53%), EU youth policy cooperation should focus both on policies and actions specifically targeted at young people and on mainstreaming youth issues into other policy areas.

In order to improve the effectiveness of EU policy action in the youth field, most respondents believed that increased efforts should be made so as to encourage broader participation in EU policy activities by local and regional youth policy-makers and to develop deeper synergies between EU and national measures.

New Narrative for Europe

Under the ‘New Narrative for Europe’, no less than 18 debates were held with young people across Europe, in partnership with youth organisations, for young people to have their say on the future of the EU. Delegates from these debates, as well as from ‘Ideas Labs’ organised ahead of the 2017 European Youth Week, were invited to share the outcomes of these discussions at the conference organised in May 2017 on the future of EU youth cooperation.

They also attended the signing of a declaration (‘YOUrope for Youth Declaration’) which was offered to Commissioner Navracsics in 2018
  49
  .This declaration puts forwards young people’s ideas on the future of Europe around four key areas: freedom of movement and security, civic engagement, employment and green planet Europe. According to the declaration, the EU is a community of values, which must continue to aim at promoting peace and prosperity in Europe and beyond. More young people should participate in decision-making, so that Europe is better prepared to address its challenges. There should also be more opportunities to involve those who are reluctant to engage with politics by developing a curriculum on civic education in national and local education systems and by generalising the vote at 16. The declaration underlines that all young people should have access to mobility and learning opportunities as well as to a wide range of internships, traineeships and apprenticeships, across Europe. It stresses that all policies should conform to the EU sustainability standards, that the EU should manage equal access to healthy and affordable food and promote citizen education about environmental sustainability.

Questions to test the outcomes of debates with more young people, a Eurobarometer survey on European Youth included special questions on this in 2018
  50
  . he most mentioned priority topics for the EU are education and skills (53%), protection of the environment and the fight against climate change (50%), employment (42%) and the management of migratory flows and integration of refugees (40%). A large majority of respondents (89%) agree that national governments should strengthen school education about rights and responsibilities as EU citizens. For 83% of interviewees, learning about European matters should be part of compulsory school education. Over two thirds agree European programmes and initiatives such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps make them feel more European.

The three ideas for the future of Europe that young people most agree with – based on a multiple choice list of topics stemming from the ‘New narrative for Europe’ initiative – are: the promotion of critical thinking and the ability to search for information in order to combat fake news and extremism; easy access to information for young people who want to move and work abroad in order to encourage youth employment (both 49%); and promoting behaviour change through environmentally-friendly projects such as sustainable transport or recycling systems across Europe (40%).

Focus groups

The Commission organised six focus groups
  51
  in Brussels in 2017, bringing together stakeholders from youth organisations and national governments to discuss topics identified through the mid-term evaluation of the current EU Youth Strategy. The outcomes of these groups inspired the stakeholder conference.

Stakeholder conference

In May 2017, 340 participants from all over Europe gathered, with young people, youth workers, volunteering organisations, youth policy-makers, researchers, national agencies from the Erasmus+ programme, etc.

The main conclusions
  52
  were as follows:

·Young people appreciate the value of cross-border mobility and volunteering and are eager to see a continuation and potential expansion of Erasmus+.

·Common areas of interest from young people as regards future policy-making include education, mobility opportunities, civic participation, employment and labour market issues, human rights and social inclusion. As regards education, delegates emphasised the need to understand and integrate non-formal learning in education and training systems and frameworks, echoing the 2012 Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning
  53
  . Participants called for a greater range of mobility and volunteering opportunities to a wider circle of beneficiaries, using multipliers to raise awareness throughout the EU.

·The debates highlighted the value young people attach to democratic participation. Youth call for reinvigorated democratic processes at national and EU level, deepening the role of the European Parliament and raising awareness of mechanisms such as the European Citizen initiative or the Structured Dialogue. Young people emphasised the links with other policy areas such as human rights, environmental challenges and social inclusion. An important pre-condition for the inclusion and participation of young people is their economic independence, which in turn requires a stable work situation and decent housing. This is not available to a number of young people across the EU.

Structured Dialogue Cycle VI: Youth in Europe: What’s Next?

The Council Resolution of May 2017 ‘on the Structured Dialogue and the future development of the dialogue with young people in the context of policies for European cooperation in the youth field post 2018’ stated that the overall priority for the Structured Dialogue with young people and youth organisations for Cycle VI (July 2017 to December 2018) should focus on the future framework for the European cooperation in the youth field. ‘Youth in Europe: What’s Next?’ is the title.

Youth representatives and decision-makers met at the EU youth conference in Tallinn in October 2017 to focus on youth priorities and how they want to see the Europe in the future. These discussions served as the basis for the consultations which took place between November 2017 and February 2018 (see graphic below for the timeline of the cycle), and were complemented with the setting up of youth goals in the EU Youth Conference in April 2018.

Source: Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU, 2017

Source: Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU, 2017

Specific positions taken by NGOs or networks

Specific positions taken by NGOs or networks

Position paper European Youth Forum, Proposal for the governance of the EU Youth Strategy, 2017

Position paper European Youth Forum, Proposal for the governance of the EU Youth Strategy, 2017

This paper underlines five principles that should guide the future strategy's governance should apply (participatory, strategic, multi-level, clear in responsibilities and accountable, cross-sectoral and resourceful).

This paper underlines five principles that should guide the future strategy's governance should apply (participatory, strategic, multi-level, clear in responsibilities and accountable, cross-sectoral and resourceful).

http://www.youthforum.org/assets/2017/12/YFJ-proposal-EUYS-Governance.pdf

http://www.youthforum.org/assets/2017/12/YFJ-proposal-EUYS-Governance.pdf

Position paper 'Engage. Inform. Empower', 2017, by European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA), European Youth Card Association (EYCA), and EURODESK

Position paper 'Engage. Inform. Empower', 2017, by European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA), European Youth Card Association (EYCA), and EURODESK

This paper addresses the challenges facing young people, and offers recommendations on how youth information and mobility can help young people make the most of the opportunities and information available to them.

This paper addresses the challenges facing young people, and offers recommendations on how youth information and mobility can help young people make the most of the opportunities and information available to them.

https://www.eryica.org/advocacy

https://www.eryica.org/advocacy

European Confederation of Youth Clubs’ recommendations for the next EU Youth Strategy, 2018

European Confederation of Youth Clubs’ recommendations for the next EU Youth Strategy, 2018

This paper addresses in particular the need to develop a European policy framework to support and promote youth work, as well as to foster the creation of national, regional and local youth work policies by recognising the provision of youth work.

This paper addresses in particular the need to develop a European policy framework to support and promote youth work, as well as to foster the creation of national, regional and local youth work policies by recognising the provision of youth work.

https://www.ecyc.org/

https://www.ecyc.org/

4.2. Views of other EU institutions and bodies

4.2. Views of other EU institutions and bodies

Council of the European Union

Council of the European Union

The Council adopted conclusions in May 2017 about the post-2018 youth policy cooperation that underline the crucial role of youth work, non-formal and informal learning in contributing to developing young people’s competences. They call for the following lines of action:

The Council adopted conclusions in May 2017 about the post-2018 youth policy cooperation that underline the crucial role of youth work, non-formal and informal learning in contributing to developing young people’s competences. They call for the following lines of action:

·Cross-sectoral, flexible, responsive and transparent framework;

·

Cross-sectoral, flexible, responsive and transparent framework;

·Main focus on core youth policy themes (which are the competence of structures responsible for youth) while strengthening initiatives in related policy fields to ensure cross-sectoral cooperation;

·

Main focus on core youth policy themes (which are the competence of structures responsible for youth) while strengthening initiatives in related policy fields to ensure cross-sectoral cooperation;

·Stronger link with Erasmus+ and other programmes;

·

Stronger link with Erasmus+ and other programmes;

·Review structured dialogue with youth for innovative, meaningful and targeted dialogue;

·

Review structured dialogue with youth for innovative, meaningful and targeted dialogue;

·Further considering competences and values needed by youth, having regard to role of Internet, social media and digitalisation.

In May 2017, the Council also adopted a resolution on the development of the dialogue with young people in the context of policies for European cooperation in the youth field post 2018. The resolution calls for a review to improve this dialogue and make it more effective. It emphasizes the importance of a constructive dialogue and cooperation with young people from diverse backgrounds, youth researchers, policymakers and interested parties from other related sectors.

European Parliament

The European Parliament provided several opinions on the EU Youth Strategy in recent years. The Parliament will adopt a report on the implementation of the EU Youth Strategy in Spring 2018, based on the Culture Committee report by MEP Eider Gardiazabal Rubial.

The draft report welcomes the progress of European youth cooperation and acknowledges the achievements of the strategy though cross-sectoral actions and the structured dialogue that involves young people. It also welcomes specific policy initiatives such as Investing in Europe’s Youth, the European Solidarity Corps and the Youth Employment Initiative but believes these should be better connected to the strategy, and follow a bottom-up approach. It calls on Commission to encourage young people to fully participate in democratic life, believes the EU should mainstream volunteering and develop new tools to empower young people, and recommends for the future strategy to be both centred around young people and participatory.

The Parliament adopted a report
  54
  on the assessment of the EU Youth Strategy 2013-2015 (rapporteur: MEP Andrea Bocskor) in July 2016. The Parliament's resolution ‘views the open method of coordination as an appropriate but still insufficient means for framing youth policies that needs to be complemented by other measures; reiterates its call for closer cooperation and exchange of best practices on youth issues at local, regional, national and EU level; urges the Member States to agree on clear indicators and benchmarks in order to allow for monitoring of the progress made.’ The resolution also stresses the ‘importance of involving young people and youth organisations in shaping the priorities and drafting a new EU Youth Cooperation Framework after 2018’.

Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an opinion
  55
  on the implementation of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018) in February 2016. In its opinion, based on the SEDEC (Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture) report by Csaba Borboly, the Committee ‘insists that in the future, ensuring equal opportunities, promoting social integration and improving the competitiveness of young people on the labour market, while fostering active citizenship (youth participation), the strengthening of youth work, non-discrimination and intercultural understanding, should remain the key objectives of youth policy’. It expressed concern that ‘the Commission fails to mention the role of local and regional authorities in relation to youth policy’; it also underlined the need to support the recognition of non-formal and informal learning in youth work and ‘deemed it necessary to bolster the role of young people in the democratic process, to make their voices heard’.

European Economic and Social Committee

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) did not recently issue an opinion on the EU Youth Strategy, but some of its activities or opinions address the situation of young people and youth policy. For instance, the EESC adopted in 2017 an opinion
  56
  on ‘Cooperation with civil society to prevent the radicalisation of young people’ (rapporteur: Christian Moos). The Committee therein highlights the importance of inclusive formal and non-formal education, which is essential for active participation in a diverse society, teaching critical thinking and media literacy. The EESC calls for a higher priority to be given to greater investment in combating poverty and to the integration of young people into society, the education system and the labour market.

The EESC also adopted an opinion
  57
  on the proposal for a Regulation laying down a legal framework of the European Solidarity Corps (rapporteur: Pavel Trantina) in 2017. The opinion welcomes the Commission’s proposal as a good start for a broader discussion, but with a lot of elements to clarify and improve. It considers that the added value of the projects ‘lies in the fact that they seek to establish among participants and the communities hosting them a full awareness of European citizenship and a sense of belonging to one Union’.

Section 5 – Outline of the future cooperation

5.1. Analysis of main changes needed for the EU Youth Strategy

The evaluation and consultations outcomes point to a similar direction; the stakeholders seem to share views about the future of the EU Youth Strategy and the needs for improving its current processes.

Cross-sectoral dimension of youth policy

There is broad consensus between stakeholders that taking into account youth voices across policy areas should be made more effective and that youth strategies and policies should be comprehensive. Many Member States underlined the need for strong coordination (Germany, Austria, France) and that the youth sector should strengthen its visibility and be more vocal on the core areas and positive impact of youth policy (Belgium, Cyprus, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania).

In Eurobarometer 455, the most mentioned youth priority topics for the EU are education and skills (53%), protection of the environment and the fight against climate change (50%), employment (42%) and the management of migratory flows and integration of refugees (40%). In the online public consultation, the respondents were also asked about the priorities for the EU to contribute to in the future youth policy cooperation, and the policy areas with the highest overall support were ‘Lowering youth unemployment and inactivity’ (83%) and ‘Improving the social situation of young people at risk of poverty or exclusion’ (79%) they were closely followed by ‘Supporting and developing youth work and non-formal learning’ (73% of total respondents), ‘Preventing marginalisation or violent radicalisation among young people’ (72%) and ‘Supporting the involvement of youth organisations and young people in policy-making and other democratic processes’.

Focus and flexibility

The consultations and evaluation indicate the need for both more focused and flexible cooperation. The European Youth Forum’s position paper on the strategy’s governance
  58
  states that the future strategy ‘should focus on fewer priorities and to introduce a dual system with fixed and flexible priorities to be able to tackle sudden social and economic challenges.’

The respondents to the online consultation were a majority to believe that European youth policy cooperation should focus both on the promotion of policies and actions specifically targeted at young people and on taking into account youth issues better into other policy areas.

The May 2017 Council conclusions about the future post 2018 youth policy cooperation also call for a cross-sectoral, flexible, responsive and transparent framework, with a focus on specific youth policy themes.

Focus on youth specific themes (participation, youth mobility and volunteering, youth work) while strengthening cross-sectoral approach

This dual approach (youth specific areas and a cross-sectoral perspective) is a strong message shared by most stakeholders, including the Council and the Member States, as well as the European Parliament and youth organisations.

The debates in the May 2017 stakeholder conference called for a strong focus on democracy and civic participation; this was also part of the recommendations of the Committee of the Regions’ opinion in 2016, which asked to increase the role of the young people in the democratic process.

The European Economic and Social Committee highlighted the importance of inclusive formal and informal education and youth volunteering. The May 2017 conference participants called for an expanded range of mobility and volunteering opportunities to a wider circle of beneficiaries.

The need for more focus on youth work and volunteering was mentioned in the evaluation.

Link between EU youth policy implementation and related EU programme activities

The need for more synergies between policy cooperation and EU youth-related programmes has been underlined in the evaluation. Similarly, almost all reports stressed the importance of a connection between the results of EU funded projects, the EU youth policy and policy making at national and regional level. This was also one of the calls of the focus groups, the stakeholder conference and the May 2017 Council conclusions, and has been requested in the European Parliament debates.

Improving the structured dialogue, including with a wider and more diverse outreach to young people

The wish to both keep and improve the dialogue mechanism is a very widely shared position among the various stakeholders. In their national reports, the Member States often underline that reaching disadvantaged young people is crucial but also very challenging. The need to improve the reporting and feedback mechanisms is also stressed in these reports, as in the May 2017 Council conclusions (calling for an innovative, meaningful and targeted dialogue) or the European Parliament’s works. The European Youth Forum also proposed a new structured dialogue, based on a bottom up approach to better reach out to young people at local level, a better feed-back and monitoring, a mix of online-offline spaces and tools and a stronger cross-sectoral dimension.

Participatory governance

Many stakeholders advocated for youth participation in decision making, such as the European Youth Forum, and this approach was also promoted in reports of the European Parliament. The declaration issued in January 2018 under the ‘New Narrative for Europe’ process underlined that such participation is key so that Europe is better prepared to address its challenges.

Reaching out more locally to reach a more diverse population of young people

The importance of including a local dimension was mentioned both in the evaluation and consultations, the Committee of the Regions’ 2016 opinion and the May 2017 stakeholder conference. This is based on the fact that youth policy is managed at local level in many countries and that this level is most appropriate to reach disadvantaged young people.

Need for a monitoring framework

The evaluation stressed the need for a monitoring framework that captures the achievements of the strategy. The European Parliament made similar calls. The European Youth Forum would even favour ‘a benchmarking system for countries to commit to certain indicators.

Need for reinforced mutual learning

As the evaluation, the reports lend their support to mutual learning and expanding such activities in future, while indicating needs for improvement (Section 3.2).

5.2 Priority areas of the EU Youth Strategy

In line with these findings, the Communication proposes youth-specific policy priorities for the future cooperation over the period 2019-2027, while including mechanisms for cross-sector cooperation in the proposed governance. An interim evaluation will allow for a review of these areas in 2023-2024 if need be.

| ENGAGE: Fostering youth participation in democratic life;


  CONNECT: Bringing young people together across the EU and beyond to foster voluntary engagement, learning mobility, solidarity and intercultural understanding;


  EMPOWER: Supporting youth empowerment through quality, innovation and recognition of youth work. |
| --- |

ENGAGE: Fostering youth participation in democratic life;

CONNECT: Bringing young people together across the EU and beyond to foster voluntary engagement, learning mobility, solidarity and intercultural understanding;

EMPOWER: Supporting youth empowerment through quality, innovation and recognition of youth work.

ENGAGE: Fostering youth participation in democratic life

A key tool: the new EU Youth Dialogue
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The new EU Youth Strategy should aim to open up Europe to the voices of young people and incorporate their concerns in all policy areas, such as education, entrepreneurship, employment, climate change, social affairs, citizenship, culture or digital policies.

In the May 2017 Council resolution on the Structured Dialogue, the Council invited Member States and Commission ‘to undertake a review of the Structured Dialogue process and its objectives for the European Cooperation in the Youth Field Post 2018 and consider innovative and effective ways of promoting meaningful and constructive dialogue and engagement with young people from diverse background, youth organisations, youth researchers and policy makers including stakeholders from other relevant sectors.’ It invited the Commission ‘based on the evidence, evaluation and consultations to propose a new Structured Dialogue. The strategy should combine a new EU Youth Dialogue aiming at reaching all young people, together with a dedicated Youth Coordinator within the Commission and an online entry point via the European Youth Portal. A particular effort would be made to involve hard-to-reach young people, e.g. through specific projects and local discussions.

The EU Youth Dialogue will replace the current Structured Dialogue as from 2019 to achieve more in terms of:

·Diversity of voices, with local outreach;

·Delivery of concrete and refreshing ideas;

·Follow-up and implementation into the cycle;

·Transparency of process, input and outreach;

·Clear and lean governance.

The cycle will run over 9 years in cycles of 18 months (led by Trio Presidencies) and will broadly follow the strategic agenda of the Council EU Work Plans for Youth with the following proposed stages:

| 1.a | Local discussions online and offline on topics relevant to the strategic agenda, the results of which to be captured by national working groups |
| --- | --- |
| 1.b | First youth conference: Blue Sky thinking with diverse young people, selected through their input in local discussions and their background. Some institutional actors participate as ‘listeners’ or ‘resource persons’ |
| 1.c | Results processed and shared by National Working Groups via online fora and considered at EU level |
| 2.a | National Working Groups select and prepare inputs for in-depth consideration and look for good practice |
| 2.b | Second youth conference: Opinion boulevard where representatives of National Working groups attend to present and discuss national inputs, consider relevant good practice and select the best ideas and action proposals. Some ‘institutional’ actors join to question the ideas and help test their feasibility. |
| 2.c | Results are shared nationally and discussed at EU level insofar appropriate |
| 3.a | National and European actors are invited to reflect on follow-up |
| 3.b | Third youth conference: Time to act whereby European and national decision-makers, as well as youth representatives at EU and national levels, agree on an action plan for implementation and agree on indicators to measure progress. |
| 3.c | Results are endorsed under responsibility of the presidency (Council conclusions) |

1.a

Local discussions online and offline on topics relevant to the strategic agenda, the results of which to be captured by national working groups

1.b

First youth conference: Blue Sky thinking with diverse young people, selected through their input in local discussions and their background. Some institutional actors participate as ‘listeners’ or ‘resource persons’

1.c

Results processed and shared by National Working Groups via online fora and considered at EU level

2.a

National Working Groups select and prepare inputs for in-depth consideration and look for good practice

2.b

Second youth conference: Opinion boulevard where representatives of National Working groups attend to present and discuss national inputs, consider relevant good practice and select the best ideas and action proposals. Some ‘institutional’ actors join to question the ideas and help test their feasibility.

2.c

Results are shared nationally and discussed at EU level insofar appropriate

3.a

National and European actors are invited to reflect on follow-up

3.b

Third youth conference: Time to act whereby European and national decision-makers, as well as youth representatives at EU and national levels, agree on an action plan for implementation and agree on indicators to measure progress.

3.c

Results are endorsed under responsibility of the presidency (Council conclusions)

Figure 1: EU Youth Dialogue 18 months cycle

CONNECT: Connecting young people across the EU and beyond to foster voluntary engagement, learning mobility, solidarity and intercultural understanding

CONNECT: Connecting young people across the EU and beyond to foster voluntary engagement, learning mobility, solidarity and intercultural understanding

A policy framework for youth solidarity

A policy framework for youth solidarity

Youth policy cooperation can provide a supportive policy context for the European Solidarity Corps. Building on the past cooperation on youth volunteering, it should be put in a broader frame around solidarity and involve national partners, removing legal and administrative obstacles to volunteering, promoting national schemes and associating them to the Corps.

Youth policy cooperation can provide a supportive policy context for the European Solidarity Corps. Building on the past cooperation on youth volunteering, it should be put in a broader frame around solidarity and involve national partners, removing legal and administrative obstacles to volunteering, promoting national schemes and associating them to the Corps.

In light of growing demand for solidarity opportunities, the EU must live up to young people’s expectations. The momentum created by the European Solidarity Corps can give further impetus, if supported by an appropriate policy environment at European, national and local levels. Linking the Corps to national similar initiatives to create more synergy and coherence across the EU is embedded as a principle in the legal base for the future Corps. Several stakeholders, including representatives of European Parliament, have called for reinforced policy cooperation in the field of volunteering and some Member States expressed similar request in their reports
  60
  end 2017.

In light of growing demand for solidarity opportunities, the EU must live up to young people’s expectations. The momentum created by the European Solidarity Corps can give further impetus, if supported by an appropriate policy environment at European, national and local levels. Linking the Corps to national similar initiatives to create more synergy and coherence across the EU is embedded as a principle in the legal base for the future Corps. Several stakeholders, including representatives of European Parliament, have called for reinforced policy cooperation in the field of volunteering and some Member States expressed similar request in their reports

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end 2017.

At present, in the absence of a European statute, volunteers may find themselves in disadvantageous or even legally irregular situations, since they are not protected by EU legislation applying to the free movement of workers. For instance, they may lose their rights to social and unemployment benefits, etc., which could have an important deterring effect. There are only limited possibilities to volunteer abroad with full cost coverage; some programmes even charge the volunteer.

At present, in the absence of a European statute, volunteers may find themselves in disadvantageous or even legally irregular situations, since they are not protected by EU legislation applying to the free movement of workers. For instance, they may lose their rights to social and unemployment benefits, etc., which could have an important deterring effect. There are only limited possibilities to volunteer abroad with full cost coverage; some programmes even charge the volunteer.

The 2008 Council Recommendation on the cross-border mobility of young volunteers
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  provides a good basis for cooperation among Member States in the field of volunteering. However, in its current form, it has not proved effective enough to make a decisive impact and is not adapted to the new political and institutional context created by the European Solidarity Corps. The mid-term evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy found that all action lines of the Council Recommendation are still highly relevant to the current needs and problems of young volunteers and to those of volunteering organisations, but not adequately implemented. Moreover, youth organisations considered that the Council Recommendation was not ambitious enough in its scope and objectives.

The 2008 Council Recommendation on the cross-border mobility of young volunteers

61

provides a good basis for cooperation among Member States in the field of volunteering. However, in its current form, it has not proved effective enough to make a decisive impact and is not adapted to the new political and institutional context created by the European Solidarity Corps. The mid-term evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy found that all action lines of the Council Recommendation are still highly relevant to the current needs and problems of young volunteers and to those of volunteering organisations, but not adequately implemented. Moreover, youth organisations considered that the Council Recommendation was not ambitious enough in its scope and objectives.

EMPOWER: Supporting youth empowerment through quality, innovation and recognition of youth work

EMPOWER: Supporting youth empowerment through quality, innovation and recognition of youth work

A youth work agenda

A youth work agenda

Under the current EU Youth Strategy, supporting and developing youth work are regarded as cross-sectoral issues. Since 2010, an impressive number of initiatives
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  have addressed youth-work, including in reaction to new priorities, such as the prevention of violent radicalisation. The youth work agenda can capitalise on these valuable results in terms of clear policy targets and concrete EU deliverables. The future youth work agenda can help youth work adapt to challenges including the digital transformation or new expectations towards young people (building resilience, transversal skills, etc.). Youth workers generally need to upgrade their own digital competences and keep up with evolving needs and interests of young people. They also still struggle to valorise the outcomes of their efforts outside their sector, and overall the sector lacks funds that prevent them from investing in the much needed change management. Building on studies and mutual learning from past years, the youth work agenda should be built around quality standards, recognition of learning outcomes and innovation in youth work.

Under the current EU Youth Strategy, supporting and developing youth work are regarded as cross-sectoral issues. Since 2010, an impressive number of initiatives

62

have addressed youth-work, including in reaction to new priorities, such as the prevention of violent radicalisation. The youth work agenda can capitalise on these valuable results in terms of clear policy targets and concrete EU deliverables. The future youth work agenda can help youth work adapt to challenges including the digital transformation or new expectations towards young people (building resilience, transversal skills, etc.). Youth workers generally need to upgrade their own digital competences and keep up with evolving needs and interests of young people. They also still struggle to valorise the outcomes of their efforts outside their sector, and overall the sector lacks funds that prevent them from investing in the much needed change management. Building on studies and mutual learning from past years, the youth work agenda should be built around quality standards, recognition of learning outcomes and innovation in youth work.

Young people should derive maximum benefit from their participation in quality youth work, which should be relevant and responsive to their interests, needs and experiences.

Young people should derive maximum benefit from their participation in quality youth work, which should be relevant and responsive to their interests, needs and experiences.

Action is needed to ensure youth work is more systematically applying quality tools and systems that are strategic, evidence-based and outcomes-focused. Youth worker training provision should include such approaches and correspond to the realities of youth work at different levels and ensure responsiveness to trends and changing circumstances of young people's lives. Such quality tools and systems have great potential to contribute to an enhanced credibility and recognition of the youth work sector as a whole.

Action is needed to ensure youth work is more systematically applying quality tools and systems that are strategic, evidence-based and outcomes-focused. Youth worker training provision should include such approaches and correspond to the realities of youth work at different levels and ensure responsiveness to trends and changing circumstances of young people's lives. Such quality tools and systems have great potential to contribute to an enhanced credibility and recognition of the youth work sector as a whole.

Youth work should valorise learning outcomes by recognition tools that are accepted within and beyond the sector.

Youth work should valorise learning outcomes by recognition tools that are accepted within and beyond the sector.

Action is needed to enhance the awareness of the contribution of youth work to the lives of individuals and society as a whole. There is still a lack of data about the scale and scope of youth work and a lack of visibility on quantitative and qualitative aspects of youth work. Member States need to support broader efforts to ensure appropriate and accepted recognition tools for youth work, also in the context of delivering on the Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning. The connection with other sectors must be strengthened; cross-sectoral approaches are not yet common practice.

Action is needed to enhance the awareness of the contribution of youth work to the lives of individuals and society as a whole. There is still a lack of data about the scale and scope of youth work and a lack of visibility on quantitative and qualitative aspects of youth work. Member States need to support broader efforts to ensure appropriate and accepted recognition tools for youth work, also in the context of delivering on the Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning. The connection with other sectors must be strengthened; cross-sectoral approaches are not yet common practice.

Youth work should invest in digital opportunities and skills for youth workers to accompany the young people they work with.

Youth work should invest in digital opportunities and skills for youth workers to accompany the young people they work with.

Action is needed to develop the youth sector’s structure, working methods and channels of communication so as to reach out to more young people. Conditions for digital youth work should be created and improved. Youth work should make use of technology and pedagogical practices to increase access and break down barriers for all young people to participation in society. Digital youth work should be incorporated into youth worker training, national youth work occupational standards and youth worker competence standards.

Action is needed to develop the youth sector’s structure, working methods and channels of communication so as to reach out to more young people. Conditions for digital youth work should be created and improved. Youth work should make use of technology and pedagogical practices to increase access and break down barriers for all young people to participation in society. Digital youth work should be incorporated into youth worker training, national youth work occupational standards and youth worker competence standards.

5.3. Renewed governance mechanisms for greater impact

5.3. Renewed governance mechanisms for greater impact

In line with the evaluation and consultations, the Communication proposes to review the current governance mechanisms to improve their effectiveness and coordination of the strategy. It proposes to increase the participatory and cross-sectoral dimension at EU level.

In line with the evaluation and consultations, the Communication proposes to review the current governance mechanisms to improve their effectiveness and coordination of the strategy. It proposes to increase the participatory and cross-sectoral dimension at EU level.

The strategy puts forward the following key innovations:

The strategy puts forward the following key innovations:

Addressing the needs of young people across sectors

There is consensus between stakeholders to keep and reinforce a cross-sectoral policy approach and mainstream the youth dimension in policies that matter to young people. At the same time, experience from the 2010-18 cycle shows that not all fields of actions have the same relevance for all Member States and if policy priorities are defined too broadly, the lack of focus may hamper youth policies in delivering results. This requires a certain level of flexibility, while the overall intervention logic and coherence of the Youth Strategy need to be maintained.

Therefore the renewed Youth Strategy proposes a dual approach.

1)A reinforced attention at EU level including the following key actions:

Tracking EU spending on youth under the next Financial Framework. This would concern funding from the most relevant programmes
  63
  targeting individuals, using also estimates in order to avoid creating extra administrative burden on reporting and data collection.

·A newly established European Union Youth Coordinator (a European Commission contact and visible reference point for young people).

·The European Youth Portal will be consolidated to act as a single digital entry point.

2)Targeted actions on specific areas, translating European priorities in national context:

·Member States should establish European priorities in a national context in National Action Plans, drawing on a menu of priority areas established in the strategy;

·Member States will be encouraged to commit to and carry out targeted actions in the priority areas and concentrate EU funding (e.g. ESF, Erasmus+) supported by relevant EU programmes;

·The actions should pursue a cross-sectorial approach, where youth policy tools and instruments are exploited (e.g. involvement of youth workers, involvement of young people on the design and implementation).

Throughout the consultation process, the following priority areas have been identified, which serve as an indicative menu of priority areas:

·Education and training;

·Youth employment and entrepreneurship;

·Health including mental health;

·Youth poverty and social inclusion;

·Integration of young people with a migrant background;

·Digitalisation, internet and media;

·Sustainability and climate change.

Cross-sectorial cooperation will also be enhanced thanks to a EU Youth Strategy platform, which will allow exchanges among stakeholders cutting across policy areas.

EU Youth Strategy Platform

The EU Youth Strategy Platform will enable stakeholders, including representatives of EU institutions, youth organisations, researchers, National Agencies, to share information and review progress on the implementation of the strategy, including on the results of the Youth Dialogue. The platform will gather once a year (with possible stakeholder meetings in between), taking into account the important milestones of the cooperation process. The platform should enhance transparency about the implementation of the Youth Strategy and create greater ownership of the process by greater stakeholder involvement.

Mutual learning

The Commission envisages using various methods in order to develop and reinforce mutual learning under the youth strategy, in cooperation with the Member States:

·Expert groups on particular subjects, aimed at delivering policy recommendations and/or concrete guidelines for the youth sector, including both ministries and external experts;

·Peer-learning focussing on shared youth policy priorities and sectoral priority areas established in the triannual work plans.

·Peer-counselling as a new tool to help Member States address a specific challenge and learn from other countries and experts (inspired by the successful model under the strategic framework for cooperation in education and training ET 2020). Peer counselling should be initiated by the Member State requesting support.

·Transnational cooperation activities organised between National Agencies with practical outcomes or deliverables. These should be aligned to national priorities identified in the National Action Plans.

National Action Plans

The Member States will be invited to present action plans, in which they will explain how they intend to achieve the three priority areas of the European youth cooperation over the next 3 years. As far as work across policy areas is concerned, the National Action Plans will identify priority areas for actions (from the list included in the Communication) on which the country intends to focus its efforts. Member States will be encouraged to set concrete goals and outline the main actions foreseen to achieve those. The European youth cooperation tools should be used to support the efforts of the Member States regarding all these priorities.

Monitoring

The Commission could build on the existing dashboard of EU youth indicators as a yardstick to steer evidence. In addition, policy indicators may be needed to measure if Member States deliver on their policy intentions, as mentioned by several key actors in consultations. In this context, as mentioned in the Communication, the Commission envisages to set up an expert group in charge of devising policy indicators
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  .

Reporting

A joint report will continue to be elaborated every 3 years, based on the Youth Wiki, very short national questionnaires on the fixed and flexible priorities, Eurobarometer surveys and Eurostat data to review progress made in the implementation of the Strategy. In addition, the 2024 Report will be more forward-looking in nature and propose a possible review of the Strategy for the last cycle (2025-2027).

Figure 2: Highlights in the implementation of the EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027)

Dissemination

Dissemination

Dissemination will be strengthened through better exploiting the potential of existing networks, (National Agencies, SALTO resource centres, Eurodesk) including reinforced cooperation mechanisms and more strategic steer of activities. Outcomes and deliverables of the European cooperation in the youth field should be made accessible to a broad audience, which might require translations into national languages and adaptation of tools, as appropriate.

Dissemination will be strengthened through better exploiting the potential of existing networks, (National Agencies, SALTO resource centres, Eurodesk) including reinforced cooperation mechanisms and more strategic steer of activities. Outcomes and deliverables of the European cooperation in the youth field should be made accessible to a broad audience, which might require translations into national languages and adaptation of tools, as appropriate.

EU triennial work plans

EU triennial work plans

The Communication underlines the added value of the Council work plans that have been set up since 2014, in order to achieve a better coordination of the strategy’s instruments and agenda. Annex J of this document provides some possible actions for a future EU Work Plan for Youth for 2019-2021.

Links with the programmes

The Commission has received clear messages from the evaluation and consultations about the need to reinforce the connection between youth policy cooperation and Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps and other EU funding sources. Figure 3 below illustrates all the potential synergies to develop and exploit between policy cooperation and programmes.

Figure 3: Positive cycle of synergies youth policy and programmes

Annexes

Annexes

A. Council resolutions and conclusions on youth 2010-2017

A. Council resolutions and conclusions on youth 2010-2017

11 May 2010

11 May 2010

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the active inclusion of young people: combating unemployment and poverty

  , OJ C 137, 27.5.2010, p. 1-6

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the active inclusion of young people: combating unemployment and poverty

, OJ C 137, 27.5.2010, p. 1-6

19 November 2010

19 November 2010

Council conclusions of 19 November 2010 on the European and International Policy Agendas on Children, Youth and Children’s Rights

  , OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, p. 1-1

Council conclusions of 19 November 2010 on the European and International Policy Agendas on Children, Youth and Children’s Rights

, OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, p. 1-1

Council conclusions of 19 November 2010 on access of young people to culture

  , OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, p. 2-3

Council conclusions of 19 November 2010 on access of young people to culture

, OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, p. 2-3

Council conclusions of 19 November 2010 on the ‘Youth on the Move’ initiative — an integrated approach in response to the challenges young people face

  , OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, p. 9-11

Council conclusions of 19 November 2010 on the ‘Youth on the Move’ initiative — an integrated approach in response to the challenges young people face

, OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, p. 9-11

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on youth work

  , OJ C 327, 4.12.2010, p. 1-5

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on youth work

, OJ C 327, 4.12.2010, p. 1-5

19 May 2011

19 May 2011

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the Structured Dialogue with young people on youth employment

  , OJ C 164, 2.6.2011, p. 1-4

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on encouraging new and effective forms of participation of all young people in democratic life in Europe

  , OJ C 169, 9.6.2011, p. 1-5

28 November 2011

Council conclusions on the eastern dimension of youth participation and mobility

  , OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, p. 10-14

11 May 2012

Council conclusions of 11 May 2012 on fostering the creative and innovative potential of young people

  , OJ C 169, 15.6.2012, p. 1-4

27 November 2012

Resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the overview of the Structured Dialogue with young people on youth participation in democratic life in Europe

  , OJ C 380, 11.12.2012, p. 1-4

Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 27 November 2012 on the participation and social inclusion of young people with emphasis on those with a migrant background

  , OJ C 393, 19.12.2012, p. 15-19

16 May 2013

Council conclusions on the contribution of quality youth work to the development, well-being and social inclusion of young people

  , OJ C 168, 14.6.2013, p. 5-9

Council conclusions on maximising the potential of youth policy in addressing the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy

  , OJ C 224, 3.8.2013, p. 2-6

25 November 2013

Council conclusions on enhancing the social inclusion of young people not in employment, education or training

  , OJ C 30, 1.2.2014, p. 5-8

20 May 2014

Resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 20 May 2014 on the overview of the Structured Dialogue process including social inclusion of young people

  , OJ C 183, 14.6.2014, p. 1-4

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 20 May 2014 on a European Union Work Plan for Youth for 2014-2015

  , OJ C 183, 14.6.2014, p. 5-11

Council conclusions of 20 May 2014 on promoting youth entrepreneurship to foster social inclusion of young people

  , OJ C 183, 14.6.2014, p. 18-21

12 December 2014

Council conclusions on promoting young people’s access to rights in order to foster their autonomy and participation in civil society

  , OJ C 18, 21.1.2015, p. 1-4

18 May 2015

Council conclusions on reinforcing youth work to ensure cohesive societies

  , OJ C 170, 23.5.2015, p. 2-3

Council conclusions on enhancing cross-sectorial policy cooperation to effectively address socio-economic challenges facing young people

  , OJ C 172, 27.5.2015, p. 3-7

23 November 2015

2015 Joint Report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-18)

  , OJ C 417, 15.12.2015, p. 17-24

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on a European Union Work Plan for Youth for 2016-2018

  , OJ C 417, 15.12.2015, p. 1-9

Council Resolution on encouraging political participation of young people in democratic life in Europe

  , OJ C 417, 15.12.2015, p. 10–16

30 May 2016

Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the role of the youth sector in an integrated and cross-sectoral approach to preventing and combating violent radicalisation of young people

  , OJ C 213, 14.6.2016, p. 1-5

21 November 2016

Conclusions of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on promoting new approaches in youth work to uncover and develop the potential of young people

  , OJ C 467, 15.12.2016, p. 8-11

May 2017

Council Resolution on the Structured Dialogue and the future development of the dialogue with young people in the context of policies for European cooperation in the youth field, post 2018, OJ C 189, 15.6.2017

  , p. 1-4

Council Conclusions on the role of youth work in supporting young people’s development of essential life skills that facilitate their successful transition to adulthood, active citizenship and working life

  , OJ C 189, 15.6.2017, p. 30-34

Council conclusions on strategic perspectives for European cooperation in the youth field post-2018

  , OJ C 189, 15.6.2017, p. 35-37

20 November 2017

Council conclusions on smart youth work

  , OJ C 418, 7.12.2017, p. 2-5

B. National Reports replies on the influence of the EU Youth Strategy on the national and local level 
  65

Influence of the framework for cooperation on the national and local level

| Influence of the framework for cooperation on the national and local level |
| --- |
| Belgium | Flemish Community: The results of the European cooperation are often complementary to our national discussions and therefore inspiring to and influencing our strategic policy planning at the level of the Flemish Community. We have less instruments to reach the local level.


  French Community: The reflection on radicalisation has inspired our Minister to build a bilateral partnership with France. It has also given some guidelines to the policies in that field. Once a topic is studied (any of them), it forces us to look deeper on the subject, to collect good practices from the field and exchange views, internally as well as internationally. It helps us to know better what is really ongoing on that topic in our society and in the grassroots organisations.


  German-speaking Community: The results of the European cooperation are inspiring the strategic planning of our own youth policy-making. We also invest a lot in our Erasmus+ National Agency to strengthen the implementation of the framework in the German-speaking Community. Like the European programmes, the framework for cooperation is a window to Europe for us and an invitation for European colleagues to get to know a small community as ours. |
| Czech Republic | The EU Youth Strategy, especially its priority areas, played an important role in drafting the National Youth Strategy (2014-2020).


  The multilateral cooperation project ‘

  European Peer Learning on Youth Policy

  ’ (2011-2013) initiated by Germany enabled the officials from the Czech Youth Department to gain valuable knowledge they could use in the development and drafting of the National Youth Strategy (2014-2020).


  The 2012 EU youth reporting exercise allowed the Youth Department to come together with their counterparts from different Ministries, to establish closer links and thus essentially strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation. |
| Denmark | The national Danish initiatives on different youth topics are in general originated in a national policy agenda more than caused by the EU Youth Strategy. As long as there are correlation between the work plan, the EU Youth Strategy and the national Danish policy agenda it will make the implementation easier. |
| Germany | The European cooperation has inspired decision-makers at technical and political level. For example, based on the Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non-formal and informal learning, the following two aspects were thoroughly discussed: a) developing general guidelines for recognition systems which help young people and young adults realise what they have learned in the framework of youth work opportunities; b) strengthening the recognition of the competences acquired by young people and young adults as well as learning opportunities offered through youth work and other out-of-school education. Another example is the multilateral cooperation project ‘

  Youthpart – youth participation in the digital society

  ’ (2011-2014) which produced, amongst other things, guidelines for successful e-participation widely used at local, regional, national and European level.


  At national level, dealing with the themes of the European cooperation became a lot more common. This is also demonstrated by the fact that the 2014 and 2017 editions of the German Child and Youth Welfare Congress (DJHT) included European themes as well as a special focus on European youth policy.


  The results of the European cooperation have also inspired policy-makers at regional level (Länder). In the city state of Berlin measures were taken in the area of transition to work, integration of refugees, prevention of violent radicalisation as well as promotion of youth work and youth participation. For instance, Berlin has set up a youth employment agency (Jugendberufsagentur) with youth welfare as a strong partner. Thanks to the results of the European cooperation, the state of Lower Saxony has increased the cross-border mobility of young people who are in the transition from education to employment. Together with the youth welfare offices of Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony is part of the initiative ‘Take five for Europe’, which organises dialogue meetings with young people and decision-makers. |
| Estonia | The following perspectives were adopted for setting the goals of the current ‘Noortevaldkonna arengukava 2014-2020’ (Youth Field Development Plan 2014-2020): a) the situation of young people and its trends of change; b) developments in society and the challenges the state is facing, including goals in coherent policies; c) the current situation of the youth field, including youth work and youth policy: work done so far, principles and development needs; and d) trends in Europe and around the world, including objectives of the EU. |
| Spain | Youth policies in Spain are framed within the objectives and priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy, and within these, through some of its flagship initiatives: Youth on the move, Digital agenda for Europe, European platform against poverty.


  Apart from the work we currently do about participation, education (formal and non-formal), youth employment, etc., the Structured Dialogue is another aspect related to the framework for cooperation that we have developed in the period 2010-2017. Thanks to the Structured Dialogue Embassies and the engagement of the young people and member organisations, we have had the possibility to inspire new projects in the local and regional youth field. Just as an example, the Youth Council from Navarra has started the Youth Parliament in Navarra to empower young people and have influence in the public policy from their territory. |
| France | The European cooperation had a real impact on French policy since the Priority Youth Plan (‘Plan Priorité Jeunesse’) was inspired by the eight fields of action and the cross-sectoral vision of the EU Youth Strategy. The principle of a structured dialogue with young people and the adoption of an annual youth report also stemmed from the framework for cooperation. |
| Croatia | The framework for cooperation is directed to the development of youth work. In accordance with the National Youth Programme (2014-2017) the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy has established a working group to analyse possibilities of professionalising youth work.


  According to the assessment of the Croatian Youth Network, relevant impact from the European cooperation in the youth field is significant in the field of employment (in particular the Youth Guarantee), the development of youth work and the implementation of the Structured Dialogue. In other fields, the impact was limited. |
| Italy | Some local/regional laws and/or programmes/initiatives have been inspired by the results of European cooperation in the youth field. |
| Cyprus | The results of the European cooperation have influenced a lot since new projects have been developed from the Youth Board of Cyprus that have to do with the empowerment of all young people and the enhancement of their participation in society (for instance the decision to have a public consultation every year). We had an increase in the number of municipal youth councils since young people are more interested in the local level. |
| Latvia | The EU Youth Strategy gave impulse to propose at the national level a cross-sectoral approach with both short and long-term actions. Local policy-makers needed additional support to link their work with the European framework but those provided with advice used it to develop their own policy strategies based on the framework. |
| Lithuania | Many processes related to the framework for cooperation are still ongoing, ranging from education to employment. Examples: Awarding extra points for competences acquired through non-formal learning or volunteering quality assurance; implementation of Structured Dialogue mechanisms; knowledge transfer, especially in tackling topics of inclusion and diversity; engagement schemes, especially the Youth Guarantee scheme which has fostered closer cooperation between actors working in different sectors. |
| Luxembourg | Peer learning, good practices, development of national policy instruments like the strong collaboration with a university to get evidence-based content, impetus for stronger Structured Dialogue mechanisms, clear visibility of youth issues and youth policy within the Ministry of Education. |
| Malta | The ‘National Youth Policy Towards 2020 A Shared Vision for the Future of Young People’ was inspired and modelled on the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field. It has a policy and strategic approaches and also includes similar fields of action. |
| Netherlands | There is certainly a connection; however, for the Dutch situation more emphasis on the local level is desirable. |
| Austria | The National Youth Strategy was based on the EU Youth Strategy.


  In the frame of the symposia ‘Youth.Politics.Europe.Austria’ (see above under events) regional policy-makers selected the topic of the EU Youth Strategy most relevant to them.


  The legal recognition of volunteering increased as a national law on volunteering was established in 2012. Since 2016 it is possible to volunteer on a long-term basis (voluntary social year) as an alternative to the regular civilian service (alternative service for national military service).


  Digital youth work became a regional focus, strengthened by the results of the Screenagers study and input is being given by the chairperson of the EU expert group on digitalisation and youth.


  By establishing a national coordination unit for the Structured Dialogue, more visibility and importance was given to the process. On federal, regional and local level new ideas of how to involve young people in the dialogue and models were discussed together. |
| Poland | The youth area-related ministries have been involved in the preparation of the national report on the implementation of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the field of youth. In the submitted contributions, the ministries inform on the youth-related activities completed within the specified time, which are in accordance with the objectives of the framework for cooperation. However, it is difficult to clearly assess the impact of the EU Youth Strategy on national initiatives, which are mainly taken by following the needs, possibilities and current socio-economic situation in the country. |
| Portugal | The European cooperation is being crucial in setting up youth strategies at national and local levels. This is demonstrated the fact that more and more local authorities are creating autonomous youth services and projects led by youth organisations and municipalities.


  European cooperation in the youth field had several positive impacts on the national reality. The preparation of the White Paper on Youth is certainly one of those more obvious results. On the other hand, the development of a professional profile for youth workers and appropriate RVCC (Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences) also resulted from contacts with other European partners and observing their practices in this area, but always adapted to the specific national context. One can also mention the efforts made in order to enhance non-formal education and promote youth entrepreneurship. |
| Romania | Low impact. More efforts have to be put in the future. |
| Slovenia | Until 2013, Slovenian youth policy had a strong vertical dimension; it gained a new impetus through the European Youth Pact, EU resolutions and the EU Youth Strategy that promote a holistic youth policy. With the adoption of the National Youth Programme in 2013 Slovenia has a more holistic and intersectoral youth policy. Inspiration how to make a horizontal youth policy more effective, very often comes from EU peer learning activities. |
| Slovakia | The Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Youth (2014-2020) is based on the eight priority fields of the EU Youth Strategy. We have also drawn some inspiration from the results of the European cooperation when drafting a Concept Paper on Supporting Youth Work 2016-2020 and the subsequent Action Plan for its implementation. We have also tackled some invitations to Member States from several adopted Council conclusions; more precisely they were addressed through calls for proposals under our grant scheme for Youth NGOs ‘Programmes for Youth 2014-2020’. We are also trying to get involved more the local policy-makers, mainly through a scheme called ‘Community of Youth’. |
| Finland | The influence on national policies has not been assessed, but the influence is not one-directional: national objectives and results have also been successfully contributed to European discussions and integrated in joint objectives.


  At national level. EU youth policy recommendations are incorporated, where applicable, in the preparation of national policy documents. European cooperation was addressed in the preparation of the National Youth Work and Policy Programme, and a separate chapter has been dedicated to international and EU cooperation. |
| Sweden | The main themes for the Swedish youth policy during 2010-2018 have been the following: transition from school to work and society, mainly relating to employment, education and housing; young people’s power and participation; young people’s leisure time, organising and well-being. |
| United Kingdom | The EU Youth Strategy has encouraged national governments to consider the wider range of needs among young people when formulating their own national policies and strategies. This means that official statements over recent years in the UK (for example) have been based on a more holistic understanding of young people’s situation – beyond simply economic and social factors.


  The EU Youth Strategy has helped bring new programmes in to being (such as, Erasmus+), in turn bringing new opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and experience to wider populations of young people.


  The EU Youth Strategy itself is less a subject of interest and discussion than the policies / strategies it has prompted, or the opportunities these have led to. Nevertheless, there is interest from national authorities and leading youth organisations in supporting review and revision of the existing strategy. |
| Serbia | Special attention was paid on the results of the European cooperation during the drafting of the National Youth Strategy (2015-2025). Local authorities also have the results in mind when preparing their local youth action plans. |

Belgium

Flemish Community: The results of the European cooperation are often complementary to our national discussions and therefore inspiring to and influencing our strategic policy planning at the level of the Flemish Community. We have less instruments to reach the local level.

French Community: The reflection on radicalisation has inspired our Minister to build a bilateral partnership with France. It has also given some guidelines to the policies in that field. Once a topic is studied (any of them), it forces us to look deeper on the subject, to collect good practices from the field and exchange views, internally as well as internationally. It helps us to know better what is really ongoing on that topic in our society and in the grassroots organisations.

German-speaking Community: The results of the European cooperation are inspiring the strategic planning of our own youth policy-making. We also invest a lot in our Erasmus+ National Agency to strengthen the implementation of the framework in the German-speaking Community. Like the European programmes, the framework for cooperation is a window to Europe for us and an invitation for European colleagues to get to know a small community as ours.

Czech Republic

The EU Youth Strategy, especially its priority areas, played an important role in drafting the National Youth Strategy (2014-2020).

The multilateral cooperation project ‘

  European Peer Learning on Youth Policy

  ’ (2011-2013) initiated by Germany enabled the officials from the Czech Youth Department to gain valuable knowledge they could use in the development and drafting of the National Youth Strategy (2014-2020).

The 2012 EU youth reporting exercise allowed the Youth Department to come together with their counterparts from different Ministries, to establish closer links and thus essentially strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation.

Denmark

The national Danish initiatives on different youth topics are in general originated in a national policy agenda more than caused by the EU Youth Strategy. As long as there are correlation between the work plan, the EU Youth Strategy and the national Danish policy agenda it will make the implementation easier.

Germany

The European cooperation has inspired decision-makers at technical and political level. For example, based on the Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non-formal and informal learning, the following two aspects were thoroughly discussed: a) developing general guidelines for recognition systems which help young people and young adults realise what they have learned in the framework of youth work opportunities; b) strengthening the recognition of the competences acquired by young people and young adults as well as learning opportunities offered through youth work and other out-of-school education. Another example is the multilateral cooperation project ‘

  Youthpart – youth participation in the digital society

  ’ (2011-2014) which produced, amongst other things, guidelines for successful e-participation widely used at local, regional, national and European level.

At national level, dealing with the themes of the European cooperation became a lot more common. This is also demonstrated by the fact that the 2014 and 2017 editions of the German Child and Youth Welfare Congress (DJHT) included European themes as well as a special focus on European youth policy.

The results of the European cooperation have also inspired policy-makers at regional level (Länder). In the city state of Berlin measures were taken in the area of transition to work, integration of refugees, prevention of violent radicalisation as well as promotion of youth work and youth participation. For instance, Berlin has set up a youth employment agency (Jugendberufsagentur) with youth welfare as a strong partner. Thanks to the results of the European cooperation, the state of Lower Saxony has increased the cross-border mobility of young people who are in the transition from education to employment. Together with the youth welfare offices of Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony is part of the initiative ‘Take five for Europe’, which organises dialogue meetings with young people and decision-makers.

Estonia

The following perspectives were adopted for setting the goals of the current ‘Noortevaldkonna arengukava 2014-2020’ (Youth Field Development Plan 2014-2020): a) the situation of young people and its trends of change; b) developments in society and the challenges the state is facing, including goals in coherent policies; c) the current situation of the youth field, including youth work and youth policy: work done so far, principles and development needs; and d) trends in Europe and around the world, including objectives of the EU.

Spain

Youth policies in Spain are framed within the objectives and priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy, and within these, through some of its flagship initiatives: Youth on the move, Digital agenda for Europe, European platform against poverty.

Apart from the work we currently do about participation, education (formal and non-formal), youth employment, etc., the Structured Dialogue is another aspect related to the framework for cooperation that we have developed in the period 2010-2017. Thanks to the Structured Dialogue Embassies and the engagement of the young people and member organisations, we have had the possibility to inspire new projects in the local and regional youth field. Just as an example, the Youth Council from Navarra has started the Youth Parliament in Navarra to empower young people and have influence in the public policy from their territory.

France

The European cooperation had a real impact on French policy since the Priority Youth Plan (‘Plan Priorité Jeunesse’) was inspired by the eight fields of action and the cross-sectoral vision of the EU Youth Strategy. The principle of a structured dialogue with young people and the adoption of an annual youth report also stemmed from the framework for cooperation.

Croatia

The framework for cooperation is directed to the development of youth work. In accordance with the National Youth Programme (2014-2017) the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy has established a working group to analyse possibilities of professionalising youth work.

According to the assessment of the Croatian Youth Network, relevant impact from the European cooperation in the youth field is significant in the field of employment (in particular the Youth Guarantee), the development of youth work and the implementation of the Structured Dialogue. In other fields, the impact was limited.

Italy

Some local/regional laws and/or programmes/initiatives have been inspired by the results of European cooperation in the youth field.

Cyprus

The results of the European cooperation have influenced a lot since new projects have been developed from the Youth Board of Cyprus that have to do with the empowerment of all young people and the enhancement of their participation in society (for instance the decision to have a public consultation every year). We had an increase in the number of municipal youth councils since young people are more interested in the local level.

Latvia

The EU Youth Strategy gave impulse to propose at the national level a cross-sectoral approach with both short and long-term actions. Local policy-makers needed additional support to link their work with the European framework but those provided with advice used it to develop their own policy strategies based on the framework.

Lithuania

Many processes related to the framework for cooperation are still ongoing, ranging from education to employment. Examples: Awarding extra points for competences acquired through non-formal learning or volunteering quality assurance; implementation of Structured Dialogue mechanisms; knowledge transfer, especially in tackling topics of inclusion and diversity; engagement schemes, especially the Youth Guarantee scheme which has fostered closer cooperation between actors working in different sectors.

Luxembourg

Peer learning, good practices, development of national policy instruments like the strong collaboration with a university to get evidence-based content, impetus for stronger Structured Dialogue mechanisms, clear visibility of youth issues and youth policy within the Ministry of Education.

Malta

The ‘National Youth Policy Towards 2020 A Shared Vision for the Future of Young People’ was inspired and modelled on the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field. It has a policy and strategic approaches and also includes similar fields of action.

Netherlands

There is certainly a connection; however, for the Dutch situation more emphasis on the local level is desirable.

Austria

The National Youth Strategy was based on the EU Youth Strategy.

In the frame of the symposia ‘Youth.Politics.Europe.Austria’ (see above under events) regional policy-makers selected the topic of the EU Youth Strategy most relevant to them.

The legal recognition of volunteering increased as a national law on volunteering was established in 2012. Since 2016 it is possible to volunteer on a long-term basis (voluntary social year) as an alternative to the regular civilian service (alternative service for national military service).

Digital youth work became a regional focus, strengthened by the results of the Screenagers study and input is being given by the chairperson of the EU expert group on digitalisation and youth.

By establishing a national coordination unit for the Structured Dialogue, more visibility and importance was given to the process. On federal, regional and local level new ideas of how to involve young people in the dialogue and models were discussed together.

Poland

The youth area-related ministries have been involved in the preparation of the national report on the implementation of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the field of youth. In the submitted contributions, the ministries inform on the youth-related activities completed within the specified time, which are in accordance with the objectives of the framework for cooperation. However, it is difficult to clearly assess the impact of the EU Youth Strategy on national initiatives, which are mainly taken by following the needs, possibilities and current socio-economic situation in the country.

Portugal

The European cooperation is being crucial in setting up youth strategies at national and local levels. This is demonstrated the fact that more and more local authorities are creating autonomous youth services and projects led by youth organisations and municipalities.

European cooperation in the youth field had several positive impacts on the national reality. The preparation of the White Paper on Youth is certainly one of those more obvious results. On the other hand, the development of a professional profile for youth workers and appropriate RVCC (Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences) also resulted from contacts with other European partners and observing their practices in this area, but always adapted to the specific national context. One can also mention the efforts made in order to enhance non-formal education and promote youth entrepreneurship.

Romania

Low impact. More efforts have to be put in the future.

Slovenia

Until 2013, Slovenian youth policy had a strong vertical dimension; it gained a new impetus through the European Youth Pact, EU resolutions and the EU Youth Strategy that promote a holistic youth policy. With the adoption of the National Youth Programme in 2013 Slovenia has a more holistic and intersectoral youth policy. Inspiration how to make a horizontal youth policy more effective, very often comes from EU peer learning activities.

Slovakia

The Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Youth (2014-2020) is based on the eight priority fields of the EU Youth Strategy. We have also drawn some inspiration from the results of the European cooperation when drafting a Concept Paper on Supporting Youth Work 2016-2020 and the subsequent Action Plan for its implementation. We have also tackled some invitations to Member States from several adopted Council conclusions; more precisely they were addressed through calls for proposals under our grant scheme for Youth NGOs ‘Programmes for Youth 2014-2020’. We are also trying to get involved more the local policy-makers, mainly through a scheme called ‘Community of Youth’.

Finland

The influence on national policies has not been assessed, but the influence is not one-directional: national objectives and results have also been successfully contributed to European discussions and integrated in joint objectives.

At national level. EU youth policy recommendations are incorporated, where applicable, in the preparation of national policy documents. European cooperation was addressed in the preparation of the National Youth Work and Policy Programme, and a separate chapter has been dedicated to international and EU cooperation.

Sweden

The main themes for the Swedish youth policy during 2010-2018 have been the following: transition from school to work and society, mainly relating to employment, education and housing; young people’s power and participation; young people’s leisure time, organising and well-being.

United Kingdom

The EU Youth Strategy has encouraged national governments to consider the wider range of needs among young people when formulating their own national policies and strategies. This means that official statements over recent years in the UK (for example) have been based on a more holistic understanding of young people’s situation – beyond simply economic and social factors.

The EU Youth Strategy has helped bring new programmes in to being (such as, Erasmus+), in turn bringing new opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and experience to wider populations of young people.

The EU Youth Strategy itself is less a subject of interest and discussion than the policies / strategies it has prompted, or the opportunities these have led to. Nevertheless, there is interest from national authorities and leading youth organisations in supporting review and revision of the existing strategy.

Serbia

Special attention was paid on the results of the European cooperation during the drafting of the National Youth Strategy (2015-2025). Local authorities also have the results in mind when preparing their local youth action plans.

Source: Reply to questionnaire ‘EU Youth Report 2018 – National Report’ (

  https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/publication/EUYouthReport2018

  )

C. Evidence-based youth policy: list of studies carried out 2010-2018

European Commission

European Commission (2011), Youth on the move: Youth participation and volunteering, Flash Eurobarometer 319a,

  http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/flash/fl_319a_en.pdf

European Commission (2011), Youth on the move: Learning mobility and entrepreneurship, Flash Eurobarometer 319b,

  http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/flash/fl_319b_en.pdf

European Commission (2013), Assessing practices for using indicators in fields related to youth,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/enx8

European Commission (2013), European Youth: Participation in democratic life,

  http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/flash/fl_375_en.pdf

European Commission (2013), Youthpass impact study. Young people’s personal development and employability and the recognition of youth work,
     


  https://www.youthpass.eu/en/youthpass/downloads/youthpass-impact-study/

European Commission (2013), Youth participation in democratic life, LSE,

  http://ec.europa.eu/assets/eac/youth/policy/youth_strategy/documents/youth-participation-study_en.pdf

European Commission (2014), Working with young people: the value of youth work in the European Union, ICF GHK,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/dlxl

European Commission (2015), European Youth, Flash Eurobarometer 408,

  http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/flash/fl_408_en.pdf

European Commission (2015), Their future is our future – Youth as actors of change. Research projects on youth inclusion, employment and participation supported by the European Union’s Research Framework Programmes,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/enx9

European Commission (2017), Study on the impact of transnational volunteering through the European Voluntary Service,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/esfp

European Commission (2017), Taking the future into their own hands – Youth work and entrepreneurial learning,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/enya

European Commission (2018), European Youth, Flash Eurobarometer 455,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/flS1

European Commission (2018), Study on the impact of internet and social media on youth participation and youth work, Consortium led by Open Evidence

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Mid-term evaluation of the Erasmus+ programme (2014-2020), COM/2018/050 final of 31.1.2018,

  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2018:50:FIN

European Commission (2018), Joint Research Center policy report, Civic attitudes and behavioural intentions among 14-year-olds. How can education make a difference towards a more democratic and cohesive Europe?

  http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC109180/jrc109180_iccs_science_for_policy_report_final_pubsy.pdf

OECD/European Commission

OECD (2018), Resilience of students with an immigrant background - Factors that shape well-being,

  http://www.oecd.org/education/the-resilience-of-students-with-an-immigrant-background-9789264292093-en.htm

Cedefop

Cedefop (2016), Validation in the care and youth work sectors. Thematic report for the 2016 update of the European inventory on validation,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/esfd

Cedefop (2017), European inventory on validation of non-formal and informal learning. 2016 update: synthesis report,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/esff

  (past inventory updates 2014, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004 at

  http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/events-and-projects/projects/validation-non-formal-and-informal-learning/european-inventory

  )

Eurofound

Eurofound (2011), Foundation Findings – Youth and work,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/foundation-findings/2011/labour-market-social-policies/foundation-findings-youth-and-work

Eurofound (2011), Helping young workers during the crisis: Contributions by social partners and public authorities,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/comparative-information/helping-young-workers-during-the-crisis-contributions-by-social-partners-and-public-authorities

Eurofound (2012), Effectiveness of policy measures to increase the employment participation of young people,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/report/2012/labour-market/effectiveness-of-policy-measures-to-increase-the-employment-participation-of-young-people

Eurofound (2012), Foundation Focus – Youth in Europe: Best days of their lives?,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/foundation-focus/2012/labour-market/foundation-focus-youth-in-europe-best-days-of-their-lives

Eurofound (2012), NEETs – Young people not in employment, education or training: Characteristics, costs and policy responses in Europe,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/fihp

Eurofound (2012), Recent policy developments related to those not in employment, education and training (NEETs),

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/emcc/comparative-information/recent-policy-developments-related-to-those-not-in-employment-education-and-training-neets

Eurofound (2012), Youth Guarantee: Experiences from Finland and Sweden,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/report/2012/labour-market/youth-guarantee-experiences-from-finland-and-sweden

Eurofound (2013), Active inclusion of young people with disabilities or health problems,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/report/2013/labour-market-social-policies/active-inclusion-of-young-people-with-disabilities-or-health-problems

Eurofound (2013), Working conditions of young entrants to the labour market,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/comparative-information/working-conditions-of-young-entrants-to-the-labour-market

Eurofound (2013), Young people and temporary employment in Europe,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/emcc/comparative-information/young-people-and-temporary-employment-in-europe

Eurofound (2014), Mapping youth transitions in Europe,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/fihq

Eurofound (2014), Social situation of young people in Europe,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/fihr

Eurofound (2014, Social innovation in service delivery: New partners and approaches,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/report/2013/industrial-relations-social-policies/social-innovation-in-service-delivery-new-partners-and-approaches

Eurofound (2015), Social inclusion of young people,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/fihs

Eurofound (2015), Youth entrepreneurship in Europe. Values, attitudes and policies,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/esfn

Eurofound (2016), Engaging the ‘missing middle’: Status quo, trends and good practice,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/2016/labour-market-social-policies/engaging-the-missing-middle-status-quo-trends-and-good-practice

Eurofound (2016), Exploring the diversity of NEETs,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/esfg

Eurofound (2016), Start-up support for young people in the EU. From implementation to evaluation,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/esfj

Resources: Eurofound reports and other information on youth issues,

  https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/news/spotlight-on/resources-eurofound-reports-and-other-information-on-youth-issues

  )

D. Mutual learning: list of expert groups and results 2010-2018

Developing the creative and innovative potential of young people through non-formal learning in ways that are relevant to employability

| Developing the creative and innovative potential of young people through non-formal learning in ways that are relevant to employability



  ·Set up following the Council conclusions on fostering the creative and innovative potential of young people, May 2012


  ·Member States (23) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), BG, CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, EL, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, AT, PL, PT, SI, SK, FI, SE and UK


  ·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in January 2014,

  http://ec.europa.eu/youth/library/reports/creative-potential_en.pdf

   


  ·Follow-up: Brochure (2015) Unleashing young people’s creativity and innovation – European good practice project (including briefings to different groups of stakeholders),

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/ejm0 |
| --- |
| Youth work quality systems in EU Member States and the role of common indicators or frameworks



  ·Set up following the Council conclusions on the contribution of quality youth work to the development, well-being and social inclusion of young people, May 2013, and under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2014-2015)


  ·Member States (20) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, FR, LV, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, SI, SK, FI and SE


  ·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in April 2015,

  http://ec.europa.eu/youth/library/reports/quality-youth-work_en.pdf

   


  ·Follow-up: Handbook (2017) Improving youth work: your guide to quality development,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/ejmZ |
| Specific contribution of youth work to address the challenges young people are facing, in particular the transition from education to employment



  ·Set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2014-2015)


  ·Member States (23) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), BG, CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, FR, HR, IT, CY, LV, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, SI, SK and FI


  ·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in December 2015,

  http://ec.europa.eu/youth/library/reports/contribution-youth-work_en.pdf |
| Defining the specific contribution of youth work as well as non-formal and informal learning to fostering active citizenship and participation of young people in diverse and tolerant societies as well as preventing marginalisation, and radicalisation potentially resulting in violent behaviour



  ·Set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2016-2018)


  ·Member States (19) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, ES, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, SI and SE


  ·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in February 2017,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/ejmY |
| Addressing the risks, opportunities, and implications of digitalisation for youth, youth work and youth policy



  ·Set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2016-2018)


  ·Member States (20) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, ES, FR, HR, LV, LU, MT, AT, PL, PT, SI, SE, SK, FI and UK


  ·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in December 2017,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/fous |
| Defining the specific contribution of youth work as well as non-formal and informal learning to responding to the opportunities and challenges raised by the increasing numbers of young migrants and refugees in the European Union



  ·Set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2016-2018)


  ·Member States (19) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), CZ, DK, DE, EE, EL, ES, HR, IT, CY, LV, LT, MT, NL, AT, PT, SI, SK, SE


  ·Outcomes: The report will be submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth at the end of 2018 |

·Set up following the Council conclusions on fostering the creative and innovative potential of young people, May 2012

·Member States (23) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), BG, CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, EL, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, AT, PL, PT, SI, SK, FI, SE and UK

·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in January 2014,

  http://ec.europa.eu/youth/library/reports/creative-potential_en.pdf

·Follow-up: Brochure (2015) Unleashing young people’s creativity and innovation – European good practice project (including briefings to different groups of stakeholders),

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/ejm0

Youth work quality systems in EU Member States and the role of common indicators or frameworks

·Set up following the Council conclusions on the contribution of quality youth work to the development, well-being and social inclusion of young people, May 2013, and under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2014-2015)

·Member States (20) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, FR, LV, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, SI, SK, FI and SE

·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in April 2015,

  http://ec.europa.eu/youth/library/reports/quality-youth-work_en.pdf

·Follow-up: Handbook (2017) Improving youth work: your guide to quality development,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/ejmZ

Specific contribution of youth work to address the challenges young people are facing, in particular the transition from education to employment

·Set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2014-2015)

·Member States (23) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), BG, CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, FR, HR, IT, CY, LV, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, SI, SK and FI

·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in December 2015,

  http://ec.europa.eu/youth/library/reports/contribution-youth-work_en.pdf

Defining the specific contribution of youth work as well as non-formal and informal learning to fostering active citizenship and participation of young people in diverse and tolerant societies as well as preventing marginalisation, and radicalisation potentially resulting in violent behaviour

·Set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2016-2018)

·Member States (19) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, ES, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, SI and SE

·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in February 2017,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/ejmY

Addressing the risks, opportunities, and implications of digitalisation for youth, youth work and youth policy

·Set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2016-2018)

·Member States (20) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, ES, FR, HR, LV, LU, MT, AT, PL, PT, SI, SE, SK, FI and UK

·Outcomes: The report was submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth in December 2017,

  https://publications.europa.eu/s/fous

Defining the specific contribution of youth work as well as non-formal and informal learning to responding to the opportunities and challenges raised by the increasing numbers of young migrants and refugees in the European Union

·Set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2016-2018)

·Member States (19) who have nominated an expert: BE (fr and nl), CZ, DK, DE, EE, EL, ES, HR, IT, CY, LV, LT, MT, NL, AT, PT, SI, SK, SE

·Outcomes: The report will be submitted to the Council Working Party on Youth at the end of 2018

E. Mutual learning: list of peer-learning activities and results 2014-2018

Peer-learning activities organised by Member States under the European Union Work Plans on Youth

| Peer-learning activity | Organising countries |
| --- | --- |
| Strengthen cross-sectoral youth policy-making at national level


  Report: Peer-learning exercise on cross-sectoral youth policy. Two seminars in the frame of the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2014-2015),

  http://pjp-eu.coe.int/documents/1017981/1668203/CSYP+peer+learning+Luxembourg+Riga+2015+final+report.pdf/fdcf9ce2-f148-4389-bcdf-cf6b5e19ea50




  The first seminar took place in Luxembourg in June 2015. The second one took place in Riga, Latvia, in November 2015. | Latvia, Luxembourg


  Youth Ministries from Latvia and Luxembourg |
| Support to young people’s health and well-being, including mental health


  Cross-sectoral peer learning amongst Member States ‘Participation of young people with mental health issues’


  The first seminar took place in Amsterdam in November 2016; the second one took place in Helsinki in June 2017; the third seminar took place in Rotterdam in November/December 2017.



  http://www.mielenterveysseura.fi/en/development-projects/peer-learning-participation-young-people-mental-health-issues | Netherlands, Finland


  The Netherlands Youth Institute


  The Finnish Association for Mental Health |
| Youth work as a recognised and value added tool for cross-sectoral cooperation in supporting young people’s transition to adulthood and the world of work


  Peer-learning seminar on innovative youth work approaches as a recognised and value added tool for cross-sectoral cooperation in supporting young people’s transition to adulthood.


  The seminar took place in Malta in May/June 2017



  http://trainings.salto-youth.net/6484 | Malta


  European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA) |
| New practices in youth work and making the youth work more appealing


  Peer-learning seminar - From Innovation to Strengthening Life Skills


  Focus on how youth workers are using innovative approaches to engage with young people, ensure smoother transition of young people to adulthood and better connection with the labour market needs.


  The seminar took place in Slovakia in November/December 2017.



  http://trainings.salto-youth.net/6863 | Slovakia, Malta


  IUVENTA – Slovak Youth Institute (YIA-SK)


  European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA), Malta |

Peer-learning activity

Organising countries

Strengthen cross-sectoral youth policy-making at national level

Report: Peer-learning exercise on cross-sectoral youth policy. Two seminars in the frame of the European Union Work Plan for Youth (2014-2015),

  http://pjp-eu.coe.int/documents/1017981/1668203/CSYP+peer+learning+Luxembourg+Riga+2015+final+report.pdf/fdcf9ce2-f148-4389-bcdf-cf6b5e19ea50

The first seminar took place in Luxembourg in June 2015. The second one took place in Riga, Latvia, in November 2015.

Latvia, Luxembourg

Youth Ministries from Latvia and Luxembourg

Support to young people’s health and well-being, including mental health

Cross-sectoral peer learning amongst Member States ‘Participation of young people with mental health issues’

The first seminar took place in Amsterdam in November 2016; the second one took place in Helsinki in June 2017; the third seminar took place in Rotterdam in November/December 2017.

http://www.mielenterveysseura.fi/en/development-projects/peer-learning-participation-young-people-mental-health-issues

Netherlands, Finland

The Netherlands Youth Institute

The Finnish Association for Mental Health

Youth work as a recognised and value added tool for cross-sectoral cooperation in supporting young people’s transition to adulthood and the world of work

Peer-learning seminar on innovative youth work approaches as a recognised and value added tool for cross-sectoral cooperation in supporting young people’s transition to adulthood.

The seminar took place in Malta in May/June 2017

http://trainings.salto-youth.net/6484

Malta

European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA)

New practices in youth work and making the youth work more appealing

Peer-learning seminar - From Innovation to Strengthening Life Skills

Focus on how youth workers are using innovative approaches to engage with young people, ensure smoother transition of young people to adulthood and better connection with the labour market needs.

The seminar took place in Slovakia in November/December 2017.

http://trainings.salto-youth.net/6863

Slovakia, Malta

IUVENTA – Slovak Youth Institute (YIA-SK)

European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA), Malta

F. Structured Dialogue: list of topics per cycle 2010-2018

Structured Dialogue Cycle

| Structured Dialogue Cycle | From – To | Trio Presidency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| I – Youth Employment | Early 2010 – Mid 2011 | Spain, Belgium, Hungary |
| II – Youth Participation in Democratic Life in Europe | Mid 2011 – End 2012 | Poland, Denmark, Cyprus |
| III – Social Inclusion of Young People Across Europe | Early 2013 – Mid 2014 | Ireland, Lithuania, Greece |
| IV – Youth empowerment for political participation | Mid 2014 – End 2015 | Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg |
| V – Enabling all young people to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe. Ready for life, ready for society | Early 2016 – Mid 2017 | Netherlands, Slovakia, Malta |
| VI – Youth in Europe: What’s Next? | Mid 2017 – End 2018 | Estonia, Bulgaria, Austria |

From – To

Trio Presidency

I – Youth Employment

Early 2010 – Mid 2011

Spain, Belgium, Hungary

II – Youth Participation in Democratic Life in Europe

Mid 2011 – End 2012

Poland, Denmark, Cyprus

III – Social Inclusion of Young People Across Europe

Early 2013 – Mid 2014

Ireland, Lithuania, Greece

IV – Youth empowerment for political participation

Mid 2014 – End 2015

Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg

V – Enabling all young people to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe. Ready for life, ready for society

Early 2016 – Mid 2017

Netherlands, Slovakia, Malta

VI – Youth in Europe: What’s Next?

Mid 2017 – End 2018

Estonia, Bulgaria, Austria

G. Structured Dialogue Cycle V - January 2016 to June 2017 (consultation numbers)

Reports by National Working Groups
  66
  and international non-governmental youth organisations to European Youth Forum

| National Working Groups | Number of young persons consulted |
| --- | --- |
| Belgium | 2 600 |
| Bulgaria | 360 |
| Czech Republic | 671 |
| Denmark | 1 092 |
| Germany | 387 |
| Estonia | 1 968 |
| Ireland | 265 |
| Spain | 808 |
| France | 622 |
| Croatia | 870 |
| Italy | 530 |
| Cyprus | 700 |
| Latvia | 356 |
| Lithuania | 3 000 |
| Luxembourg | 700 |
| Hungary | 2 000 |
| Malta | 6 000 |
| Netherlands | 3 777 |
| Austria* | 2 000 |
| Portugal | 1 500 |
| Romania | 2 063 |
| Slovenia | 10 240 |
| Slovakia | 11 896 |
| Finland | 1 900 |
| Sweden | 1 500 |
| United Kingdom | 1 350 |
| International non-governmental youth organisations** | 3 000 |
| Total | 62 155 |

National Working Groups

Number of young persons consulted

Belgium

2 600

Bulgaria

360

Czech Republic

671

Denmark

1 092

Germany

387

Estonia

1 968

Ireland

265

Spain

808

France

622

Croatia

870

Italy

530

Cyprus

700

Latvia

356

Lithuania

3 000

Luxembourg

700

Hungary

2 000

Malta

6 000

Netherlands

3 777

Austria*

2 000

Portugal

1 500

Romania

2 063

Slovenia

10 240

Slovakia

11 896

Finland

1 900

Sweden

1 500

United Kingdom

1 350

International non-governmental youth organisations**

3 000

Total

62 155

- Outreach through the national website (local consultations are not included)

** Surveys and consultations on a local level are not included.

H. EU initiatives and action in the eight fields of action

Education and training

·Education and training:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy/education-training_en

·Strategic framework – Education & Training 2020:

  http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/strategic-framework_en

·Education (educational and training opportunities available throughout Europe for students of all ages, including information on studying abroad, vocational training, recognition of qualifications and skills):

  https://ec.europa.eu/info/education_en

·Youth work:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/implementation/work_en

·Partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe in the youth field. Youth work:

  http://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/youth-work2

·Chapter 6 of the Youth Wiki, ‘Education and training’:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/6-education-and-training-overview

Employment and entrepreneurship

·Employment and entrepreneurship:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy/employment-entrepreneurship_en

·Youth employment:

  http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=1036

·Supporting entrepreneurs and the self-employed:

  http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=952&langId=en

·Promoting entrepreneurship:

  http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/promoting-entrepreneurship_en

·Chapter 3 of the Youth Wiki, ‘Employment and entrepreneurship’:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/3-employment-entrepreneurship-overview

Health and well-being

·Health and well-being:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy/health-wellbeing_en

·Public health:

  https://ec.europa.eu/health/home_en

·Health projects and funding:

  https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/health/health-projects-and-funding_en

·Health and safety at work:

  http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=148

·Chapter 7 of the Youth Wiki, ‘Health and well-being’:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/7-health-and-well-being-overview

Participation

·Participation in civil society:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy/civil-society_en

·Structured Dialogue:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/implementation/dialogue_en

·New Narrative for Europe - Discover the project:

  https://europa.eu/youth/eu/article/50/36003_en

·Citizens’ Dialogues:

  https://ec.europa.eu/info/events/citizens-dialogues_en

·Europe for Citizens programme:

  http://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/europe-for-citizens-programme/

·Chapter 5 of the Youth Wiki, ‘Participation’:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/5-participation-overview

Voluntary activities

·Voluntary activities:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy/voluntary-activities_en

·European Solidarity Corps:

  https://ec.europa.eu/info/eu-solidarity_en

·EU Aid Volunteers:

  https://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/humanitarian-aid/eu-aid-volunteers_en

·Chapter 2 of the Youth Wiki, ‘Voluntary activities’:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/2-voluntary-activities-overview

Social inclusion

·Social inclusion:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy/social-inclusion_en

·Social protection and social inclusion:

  http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=750

·Rights of the child:

  http://ec.europa.eu/justice/fundamental-rights/rights-child/index_en.htm

·Fundamental rights:

  http://ec.europa.eu/justice/fundamental-rights/index_en.htm

·Social and labour market integration of refugees:

  http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1274&langId=en

·Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN):

  https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/networks/radicalisation_awareness_network_en

·Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Europe in a changing world - Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies:

  http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/europe-changing-world-inclusive-innovative-and-reflective-societies

·Chapter 4 of the Youth Wiki, ‘Social inclusion’:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/4-social-inclusion-overview

Youth and the world

·Youth and the World:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy/world_en

·SALTO Eastern Europe & Caucasus Resource Centre:

  https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/eeca/

·SALTO EuroMed Resource Centre:

  https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/euromed/

·SALTO South East Europe Resource Centre:

  https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/see/

·EU contribution to international goals (combat climate change and promote sustainable development):

  https://ec.europa.eu/info/energy-climate-change-environment/overall-targets/eu-contribution-international-goals_en

·EU Aid Volunteers:

  https://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/humanitarian-aid/eu-aid-volunteers_en

·International Cooperation and Development – Building partnerships for change in developing countries. Human Development:

  https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sectors/human-development_en

·Chapter 9 of the Youth Wiki, ‘Youth and the world’:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/9-youth-and-world-overview

Creativity and culture

·Creativity and culture:

  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy/creativity-culture_en

·Culture, Heritage, Sport in the EU:

  https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/culture-heritage-sport-eu_en

·Culture. Supporting Europe’s cultural and creative sectors:

  https://ec.europa.eu/culture/

·Creative Europe, the European Commission’s framework programme for support to the culture and audiovisual sectors:

  https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/index_en

·Chapter 8 of the Youth Wiki, ‘Creativity and culture’:

  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/8-creativity-and-culture-overview

I. Possible policy indicators for the priority areas proposed for the future cooperation over the period 2019-2027

These are outcome indicators based on existing processes.

ENGAGE: Fostering youth participation in democratic life

·Number of young people involved in participatory processes at national/subnational level

·Number of young people reached by EU Youth Dialogue and other participatory EU-level initiatives

·Number of users on the European Youth Portal

CONNECT: Connecting young people across the EU and beyond to foster voluntary engagement, learning mobility, solidarity and intercultural understanding

·Number of young people participating in the European Solidarity Corps

·Number of young people participating in youth exchanges under the Erasmus+ programme

EMPOWER: Supporting youth empowerment through quality, innovation and recognition of youth work

·Number of youth workers directly involved in the Erasmus+ programme

·Number of young people and youth workers having received a Youthpass certificate

J. Possible actions for a future EU Work Plan for Youth for 2019-2021

Working method/Instrument

| Working method/Instrument | Indicative target date and output |
| --- | --- |
| General outputs |
| Expert group on indicators | Mid 2019


  Policy indicators to help monitor progress in the implementation of the Youth Strategy |
| National Action Plans | Mid 2019


  Member States to submit National Action Plans |
| EU Youth Strategy Platform | At least once a year (with stakeholder meetings in between).


  Report from platform to be disseminated to a broad audience. |
| EU Youth Report 2021 | Spring 2021


  Report on progress made over the 2019-2021 in the implementation of the Youth Strategy, including the triannual work plan |
| ENGAGE: Fostering youth participation in civic and democratic life |
| European Youth Week | 2019


  Dedicated events across the EU to mobilise young people |
| First cycle of Youth Dialogue | June 2020


  Results from the Youth Dialogue |
| Second cycle of Youth Dialogue | December 2021


  Results from the Youth Dialogue |

Indicative target date and output

General outputs

Expert group on indicators

Mid 2019

Policy indicators to help monitor progress in the implementation of the Youth Strategy

National Action Plans

Mid 2019

Member States to submit National Action Plans

EU Youth Strategy Platform

At least once a year (with stakeholder meetings in between).

Report from platform to be disseminated to a broad audience.

EU Youth Report 2021

Spring 2021

Report on progress made over the 2019-2021 in the implementation of the Youth Strategy, including the triannual work plan

ENGAGE: Fostering youth participation in civic and democratic life

European Youth Week

2019

Dedicated events across the EU to mobilise young people

First cycle of Youth Dialogue

June 2020

Results from the Youth Dialogue

Second cycle of Youth Dialogue

December 2021

Results from the Youth Dialogue

| CONNECT: Connecting young people across the EU to foster voluntary engagement, solidarity and intercultural understanding |
| --- |
| Expert group on cross-border solidarity | 2019


  Policy recommendations to feed into the review of the Council Recommendation on cross-border mobility of volunteers |
| Council Recommendation on promoting cross-border solidarity actions | 2020


  Adoption by Council |
| Peer-learning activities on national solidarity activities | 2020-21


  Peer learning activities to exchange good practices and support the implementation of the Recommendation on the cross-border solidarity activities |
| EMPOWER: Supporting youth empowerment with a focus on quality and innovative youth work |
| Peer-learning activity and exchange of good practices examples | 2019


  Compendia of good practice examples;


  Further dissemination of Expert Groups results and other practices under Erasmus+ |
| Development of an online course on youth work | 2020


  Online course on youth work;


  Further dissemination of the Handbook on Improving youth work – your guide to quality development (2017)


  Further dissemination of the expert group report on Developing digital youth work (2018) |
| Collect, as part of the Youth Wiki, qualitative information on youth work | 2019-2020


  Separate Youth Wiki chapter on youth work |
| Peer-learning activity on innovative ways of financing youth work | 2021


  Compendium of good practice examples |
| Governance and cross-sectoral aspects |
| Seminars and peer-learnings to be determined | Cross-sectoral exchange of good practices |
| Peer-learning activity on cross-sectoral approaches in youth work | 2020


  Compendium of good practice examples |
| Study to propose a toolkit on youth policies reaching grassroots level | 2020


  Development of a practical toolkit targeted at policy makers at regional and local level on addressing the needs of young people, with special attention on cross-sectorial partnerships |

CONNECT: Connecting young people across the EU to foster voluntary engagement, solidarity and intercultural understanding

Expert group on cross-border solidarity

2019

Policy recommendations to feed into the review of the Council Recommendation on cross-border mobility of volunteers

Council Recommendation on promoting cross-border solidarity actions

2020

Adoption by Council

Peer-learning activities on national solidarity activities

2020-21

Peer learning activities to exchange good practices and support the implementation of the Recommendation on the cross-border solidarity activities

EMPOWER: Supporting youth empowerment with a focus on quality and innovative youth work

Peer-learning activity and exchange of good practices examples

2019

Compendia of good practice examples;

Further dissemination of Expert Groups results and other practices under Erasmus+

Development of an online course on youth work

2020

Online course on youth work;

Further dissemination of the Handbook on Improving youth work – your guide to quality development (2017)

Further dissemination of the expert group report on Developing digital youth work (2018)

Collect, as part of the Youth Wiki, qualitative information on youth work

2019-2020

Separate Youth Wiki chapter on youth work

Peer-learning activity on innovative ways of financing youth work

2021

Compendium of good practice examples

Governance and cross-sectoral aspects

Seminars and peer-learnings to be determined

Cross-sectoral exchange of good practices

Peer-learning activity on cross-sectoral approaches in youth work

2020

Compendium of good practice examples

Study to propose a toolkit on youth policies reaching grassroots level

2020

Development of a practical toolkit targeted at policy makers at regional and local level on addressing the needs of young people, with special attention on cross-sectorial partnerships

K. Glossary

CoR – Committee of the Regions

Council Working Party on Youth – the Youth Working Party prepares items for discussion by EU ministers for youth

EESC – European Economic and Social Committee

EQF –European Qualifications Framework

ESF – European Social Fund

ESIF – European Structural and Investment Funds

ET 2020 – strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training

EU – European Union

Eurodesk – as a support organisation to Erasmus+, Eurodesk makes information on learning mobility comprehensive and accessible to young people and those who work with them

EVS – European Voluntary Service

MEP – Member of the European Parliament

MFF – Multiannual Financial Framework

NA – National Agency (Erasmus+ programme)

NFIL – non-formal and informal learning

NGO – non-governmental organisation

NQF – National Qualifications Framework

NWG – National Working Groups (Structured Dialogue)

OMC – open method of coordination

RAY – research-based analysis and monitoring of Erasmus+ Youth in Action programme

SALTO-YOUTH – support, advanced learning and training opportunities for youth (within the Erasmus+ Youth in Action programme)

TCA – transnational cooperation activities (Erasmus+ programme)

VET – vocational education and training

Council resolution of 27 November 2009 on a renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018), OJ C 311, 19.12.2009, p. 1-11.

COM(2018) 269.

All documents mentioned in this section are referenced in Annexes A, C, D and E.

http://ec.europa.eu/assets/eac/youth/library/reports/quality-youth-work_en.pdf

Draft Joint Employment Report from the Commission and the Council accompanying the Communication from the Commission on the Annual Growth Survey 2018, COM/2017/0674 final.

The European Commission has developed, together with stakeholders and experts, the Digital Competence framework for citizens defining and describing 21 specific digital competences for participation in society, including detailed proficiency levels.

Staff Working Document on the situation of young people (statistical part of this EU Youth Report).

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/youth/data/eu-dashboard

See Annex C.

http://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/home

European Commission (2015), Their future is our future – Youth as actors of change. Research projects on youth inclusion, employment and participation supported by the European Union’s Research Framework Programmes,
  https://publications.europa.eu/s/enx9
  .

Detailed country information with hyperlinks to relevant official documents can be found in Chapter 1 of the Youth Wiki ‘Youth Policy Governance’ and in background information on
  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/implementation/report_en

Commission Staff Working Document on the evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy, SWD(2017) 281 final of 25.7.2017. External evaluation: Evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy and the Council Recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers across the EU, Final Report,
  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/20160531-eu-youth-strategy-evaluation_en

https://ec.europa.eu/youth/sites/youth/files/youth-strategy-mobility-evaluation-2016_en.pdf

All EU Member States, EU candidate countries and EEA EFTA States were invited to submit national reports by the end of 2017, based on a questionnaire.

Member States not yet covered by the Youth Wiki at end 2017 were invited to provide essential information on youth policy governance – based on Chapter 1 of the Youth Wiki.

The European Youth Forum brings together 104 youth organisations, both national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations in Europe. In the Erasmus+ regulation (Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013, OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 50-73) the European Youth Forum is invited to provide the Commission with regular, updated information regarding its fields of activity.

Reports are available at
  https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/publication/EUYouthReport2018
  . Separate contributions were sent by the three Communities of Belgium.

Full proposals:
  http://www.youthforum.org/assets/2017/09/PARTICIPATORY-CROSS-SECTORALPOLICY-MAKING-.pdf

Only Romania reported not being involved due to lack of internal human resources.

See Annex D.

See Annex E.

See examples in Table 5 in Staff Working Document: Results of the open method of coordination in the youth field with a special focus on the second cycle (2013-2015), SWD(2015) 168 of 15.9.2015.

Ministers discussed young people's concerns in Europe while following live tweets from young people via Twitter with #youthministers (
  https://video.consilium.europa.eu/en/webcast/3a9a25be-777c-42d3-8761-42dc27b1a4db
  ).

See Annex D.

The handbook is a direct result of the expert group on ‘Youth work quality systems in EU Member States and the role of common indicators or frameworks’.

External evaluation: Evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy and the Council Recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers across the EU, Final Report,
  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/20160531-eu-youth-strategy-evaluation_en
  ; Staff Working Document on the evaluation of the EU youth strategy, SWD(2017) 281, 25.7.2017.

The current principles relating to the membership and functioning of expert groups established in the framework of the EU Work Plan for Youth stipulate that other participants can be invited under certain conditions. Commission expert groups are subject to the horizontal rules established by Commission decision
  C(2016)3301
  .

See Section 2.

See Annex B.

http://trainings.salto-youth.net/5407

RAY – research-based analysis and monitoring of Erasmus+ Youth programme,
  http://www.researchyouth.eu/
  .

1.7 Funding youth policy; 4.7 Youth work to foster social inclusion; 5.6 Supporting youth organisations; 5.7 ‘Learning to participate’ through formal, non-formal and informal learning; 6.4 Validation of non-formal and informal learning; 6.9 Awareness-raising about non-formal and informal learning and quality youth work; 9.6 Intercontinental youth work and development cooperation.

https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/implementation/report_en

European policy experimentations under Erasmus+ Key Action 3 (Support for policy reform) - Initiatives for policy aims to support transnational cooperation with a view to implement innovative policies under the leadership of high-level public authorities.

For programmes available to young people who wish to participate in volunteering in a foreign country see Youth Wiki, Section 2.6 ‘Cross-border mobility programmes’,
  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/2-voluntary-activities-overview
  .

https://www.jive-international.de/

OJ C 319, 13.12.2008, p. 8-10.

Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pairing, OJ L 132, 21.5.2016, p. 21-57.

List of topics per cycle and participation numbers for Cycle V in Annexes F and G.

OJ C 189, 15.6.2017, p. 1-4.

Reply to questionnaire 'EU Youth Report 2018 – National Report' (
  https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/publication/EUYouthReport2018
  )

https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/5-participation-overview
  . This chapter includes, amongst others, sections on youth representation bodies; young people's participation in policy-making; national strategies to increase youth participation; support for youth organisations; and e-participation.

Section 1.7 Funding youth policy

https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/en/content/youthwiki/1-youth-policy-governance-overview

Examples include: Keys for Life – Developing Key Competences in Leisure-Time and Non-Formal Education (Czech Republic); JUGEND STÄRKEN im Quartier (Germany); Complex development in the field of youth – New generation reloaded (Hungary); Swiss-Latvian cooperation programme ‘Support for the Development of Youth Initiatives in Peripheral or Disadvantaged Regions’ (Latvia); Outreach Youth Work (Luxembourg); Business Perception and Management Network’ (Portugal); KomPrax (Slovakia); PRAKTIK (Slovakia); Temagruppen Unga i arbetslivet (Sweden).

Reply to questionnaire 'EU Youth Report 2018 – National Report' (
  https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/publication/EUYouthReport2018
  ).

RAY – research-based analysis and monitoring of Erasmus+ programme (Youth chapter)
  http://www.researchyouth.eu/
  .

The main outcomes are available at
  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/sites/youth/files/online-consultation-results_en.pdf
  .

http://europa.eu/youth/have-your-say/new-narrative-for-europe_en

Flash Eurobarometer 455.

See reports at
  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/sites/youth/files/youth-strategy-report_en.pdf
  .

See report at
  https://ec.europa.eu/youth/sites/youth/files/youth-strategy-report_en.pdf
  .

Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non-formal and informal learning,
  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32012H1222%2801%29
  .

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+REPORT+A8-2016-0250+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=en

https://www.borbolycsaba.ro/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/EN_FINAL-OPINION_European-cooperation-in-the-youth-field-2010-2018.pdf

http://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/prevention-radicalisation

http://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/european-solidarity-corps

http://www.youthforum.org/assets/2017/12/YFJ-proposal-EUYS-Governance.pdf

See also Annexes F and G.

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/publication/EUYouthReport2018

Council recommendation of 20 November 2008 on the mobility of young volunteers across the European Union,
  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32008H1213%2801%29
  .

See website at
  https://ec.europa.eu/youth

notably for programmes such as currently named Erasmus+; European Solidarity Corps; Employment and Social innovation Programme; Horizon 2020; Creative Europe; Europe for Citizens; Rights, Equality and Citizens; EU Health Programme; Erasmus for Entrepreneurs (COSME); Youth Employment Initiative; European Structural and Investment Funds; Young Farmers' Scheme (Common Agricultural Policy); EU Aid Volunteer; European Neighbourhood Instrument.

See Annex I.

Roman alphabetical order of the countries’ geographical names in the original language(s). Information not available for Bulgaria, Ireland, Greece, Hungary.

Roman alphabetical order of the countries’ geographical names in the original language(s). Information not available for Greece, Poland.