Commission staff working document - Accompanying document to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - An EU Strategy for Youth : Investing and Empowering - A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities - Analysis of national reports from the Member States of the European Union concerning the implementation of the common objectives for a greater understanding and knowledge of youth {COM(2009) 200} {SEC(2009) 545} {SEC(2009) 546} {SEC(2009) 549}
Date: 2009-04-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, action programme, continuing education, education policy, employment policy, vocational training, young person, youth employment, youth policy

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 27.4.2009 
SEC(2009) 548 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

accompanying document to the 

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

An EU Strategy for Youth – Investing and Empowering 

A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities 

Analysis of national reports from the Member States of the European Union concerning 
the implementation of the common objectives for a greater understanding and 
knowledge of youth 

{COM(2009) 200} 
{SEC(2009) 545} 
{SEC(2009) 546} 
{SEC(2009) 549} 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. 

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 3 

1.1. 

Background .................................................................................................................. 3 

2. 

2.1. 

2.2. 

2.3. 

2.4. 

2.5. 

2.6. 

3. 

Common objectives...................................................................................................... 3 

Objective 1: Identify - including at local and regional level - existing knowledge in 
priority areas of the youth field and implement measures to supplement, update and 
facilitate access to it ..................................................................................................... 3 

Objective 2: In a second stage identify - including at local and regional level - 
existing knowledge in further priority areas of interest to the youth field and 
implement measures to supplement, update and facilitate access to it ........................ 8 

Objective 3: Ensure quality, comparability and relevance of knowledge in the youth 
field by using appropriate methods and tools .............................................................. 9 

Objective 4: Facilitate and promote exchange, dialogue and networks to ensure 
visibility of knowledge in the youth field and anticipate future needs ...................... 12 

Consultation of young people .................................................................................... 14 

Difficulties/Suggestions ............................................................................................. 14 

Conclusions and proposals for the future of evidence-based policy-making ............ 15 

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1. 

 INTRODUCTION 

On  15  November  2004,  the  Council  adopted  common  objectives  for  greater  understanding 
and  knowledge  of  youth1.  In  this  Resolution  the  Member  States  committed  themselves  to 
report on national contributions to the implementation of these common objectives by the end 
of 2008.  

These national reports allow the Commission to evaluate the progress made by the Member 
States.  The  Commission  has  prepared  this  synthesis  report,  which  is  one  of  the  documents 
complementing the Commission Communication "Youth: Investing and Empowering." 

At the request of the Member States, the Commission proposed a common structure for the 
national reports, which was endorsed by all parties, but the reports differ from one country to 
another.  Due  to  the  differences  between  the  various  contributions,  a  detailed  comparative 
approach was not possible. 

This report describes the state of implementation of the four common objectives concerning 
greater  understanding  and  knowledge  of  young  people,  and  presents  a  selection  of  good 
practices. The report finishes by drawing conclusions on progress on and further development 
of EU initiatives in the field. Sometimes references to individual Member States are made in 
the  text:  these  references  are  to  be  understood  as  examples,  not  as  an  attempt  to  rank  or 
compare progress. They may not include all Member States having similar practices. 

At the time of closing this document 24 Member States have sent in their reports. Countries 
from the European Economic Area could contribute on a voluntary basis. Iceland decided to 
take part in this exercise. 

Background 

1.1. 
One of the aims of the White Paper “A new Impetus for European Youth”2 was to improve 
public  awareness  of  young  people’s  concerns.  It  recognises  the  central  importance  of 
knowledge about and understanding of youth and the realities of young people for informed 
policy making.  

The  Council  Resolution  of  2004  recognised  that  a  knowledge-based  approach  to  policy 
making  is  particularly  valuable  in  the  youth  field,  where  the  situation  of  the  younger 
generation  in  Europe  is  evolving  rapidly,  and  it  identified  the  following  general  aims: 
facilitating  the  compilation  of  studies  on  youth  matters  and  the  networking  of  research 
structures, considering what further work might be necessary to support current priorities and 
agreeing on relevant topics for the future as well as on common objectives. 

2. 

2.1. 

COMMON OBJECTIVES 

Objective 1: Identify - including at local and regional level - existing knowledge 
in  priority  areas  of  the  youth  field  and  implement  measures  to  supplement, 
update and facilitate access to it 

Action lines 

1 

2 

Resolution of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting 
within  the  Council  on  common  objectives  for  a  greater  understanding  and  knowledge  of  youth, 
13997/04 of 15 November 2004 
COM(2001) 681 final of 21 November 2001 

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Seven action lines were agreed for the implementation of this objective, four of which address 
the national, regional and local levels and three the European level. 

Those  referring  to  the  national,  regional  and  local  levels  concern  the  identification  and 
organisation  of  existing  knowledge  in  the  youth  field  for  participation,  information  and 
voluntary activities; the augmentation and regular update of knowledge on such themes, (also 
taking into consideration practical knowledge), the facilitation of access to knowledge on such 
themes and information on the corresponding actors, as well as activities to ensure the user-
friendliness of relevant information.  

The  European  level  action  lines  encourage  making  the  best  use  of  available  and  relevant 
instruments  –  such  as  current  and  future  programmes  in  the  youth  field,  Eurobarometer, 
Eurostat  and  the  current  and  future  framework  research  programmes,  the  dissemination  of 
information  collected  to  interested  actors,  and  making  the  best  use  of  any  instrument  being 
developed by the Commission in co-operation with the Council of Europe.  

Measures taken by Member States 

National strategy and policy on youth related information and knowledge 

There is a significant variety among the Member States in relation to the presence or absence 
of a legal basis, specific strategies, policies and systems to encourage activities and structures 
working for better understanding and knowledge of young people. Few countries have robust 
policies and structures in place. One has even explicit support of data obtainment written into 
its Constitution. Two have recently introduced new legal acts consolidating the statutory basis 
of youth policy, and thus creating a more systematic approach to youth policy including data 
collection and knowledge provision. Where such robust policies and structures exist, results 
are better in terms of increased cooperation between those who provide knowledge and data. 
They  also  allow  for  a  better  focus  on  priority  areas.  A  stronger  cross-sectoral  approach  can 
also be noted.  

The  fact  that  research  on  young  people  falls  under  the  remit  of  a  number  of  areas  is  also  a 
challenge, alongside with different approaches applied by different governmental bodies and 
institutions. This makes it difficult to identify the full range of research outputs. 

It  appears  that  while  data  and  research  on  youth  are  available  in  all  countries,  coordination 
and a systematic collection are lacking in most. In addition there often persist also difficulties 
between the different levels (local, regional, national).  

Institutional  ownership  and  structures  in  the  field  of  youth  research  and  data  collection, 
updating, systematisation and dissemination 

The national reports present a significant variety among the Member States in relation to the 
set of institutions engaged in knowledge generation on youth related issues. Only in few cases 
there is evidence of a central co-ordination.  

A group of countries have one single body in charge of youth research, such as specifically 
appointed  specialised  academic  or  other  bodies  that  are  responsible  for  undertaking  and 
coordinating  youth  research  and  data  collection,  sometimes  in  cooperation  with  other 
stakeholders. 

In other countries there is a central coordination with a significant part of youth research and 
data  being  produced  by  universities,  specialist  research  bodies  and  networks,  government 
agencies,  national  statistics  offices,  advisory  councils  etc.  One  country  established  an 
observatory  on  young  people.  Sometimes  the  coordination  body's  remit  includes  the 

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collection,  compilation  and  processing  of  data  and  information  on  young  people,  as  well  as 
analyses and publication of data, communication of results and support of decision making. 

There  are  also  countries  where  various  governmental  institutions,  NGOs  and  research 
organisations  are  engaged  in  producing  youth  related  research  and  data  collection.  A  few 
countries  are  rather  still  at  the  beginning  of  the  process,  with  a  regular  data  collection  and 
reporting on youth just starting.  

Existing  knowledge  in  priority  areas  of  youth  policy  (including  local  and  regional): 
participation, information and voluntary activities 

The  information  available  in  the  national  reports  does  not  allow  getting  a  comprehensive 
picture  of  the  existing  knowledge  on  the  EU  priorities  of  participation,  information  and 
voluntary activities of young people. A general observation is that existing knowledge in the 
Member States does not necessarily seem to be organised by priority areas, as proposed by the 
common objectives and action lines. 

Ad  hoc  reporting,  mainly  as  a  contribution  to  EU-wide  studies  and  a  few  national  studies, 
seems to be typical for a number of countries.  

Specific  Member  State  actions  and  measures  on  information  organisation  and  access  to 
knowledge  

The range of actions and measures used by the Member States includes the development of 
national registers, data bases, information systems, on line portals accompanied by interactive 
and  networking  tools,  information  and  counselling,  technical  assistance  to  the  national 
Eurodesk  offices,  inventories  of  available  research,  developing  online  reference  points  and 
special reports that also include lists of relevant institutions and websites as well as available 
EU tools, such as the European Youth Portal. 

National  registers  and  databases  are  developed  to  organise  and  make  available  knowledge 
about existing volunteering and youth organisations, with others providing online networking 
possibilities  and  information  about  researchers  working  on  youth  issues.  Web-based 
information systems assembling research, statistical and up-to-date information about youth, 
including interactive tools, are being developed in some countries. 

There are examples where the inter-ministerial young people’s portal was created as a direct 
result  of  the  adoption  of  the  common  EU  objectives  on  youth  policy.  New  Member  States 
report about the recent opening of new online portals with information on events, youth policy 
matters,  projects,  data  bases  of  youth  organisations  and  youth  affair  coordinators  and 
interactive tools. One country is developing a frame of reference on youth research, building 
an inventory of existing research, facilitating access to existing materials and developing new 
research topics. 

Measures at European level 

The Commission aimed at making the best use of available and relevant instruments. Several 
Eurobarometers  on  youth  were  launched,  the  most  recent  one  in  20073.  It  gave  a  good 
overview  of  young  people's  interests,  views  and  behaviours  in  a  series  of  areas  relevant  to 
them. Cooperation with Eurostat proved to be fruitful throughout the years, and in particular 
when preparing the first European Youth Report, that is also an annex to the Communication 
"Youth: Investing and Empowering".  

3 

"Looking Behind the Figures: The main results of the Eurobarometer 2007 survey on youth", Office of 
Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxemburg, 2007, ISBN 978-92-79-05540-9 

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In cooperation with the Council of Europe the Commission created the European Knowledge 
Centre (EKCYP) to: 

- transfer knowledge from research to policy and practice; 
- provide country information on youth policy and monitor youth policy;  
- follow up on the implementation of the common objectives under the OMC;  
- enhance exchange between researchers, policy makers and practitioners.  

Its  information  derives  from  national  correspondents  who  provide  data  and  information  on 
their  countries  based  on  questionnaires.  EKCYP  is  financially  supported  by  the  Youth  in 
Action Programme. 

EKCYP was launched in June 2005 under Luxembourg's EU Presidency. It was presented to 
the  Youth  Ministers  at  a  conference  in  Budapest  in  September  2005.  Following  its  launch, 
EKCYP  entered  into  a  pilot  phase  that  was  followed  by  a  number  of  improvements. 
Nevertheless,  EKCYP  does  not  yet  respond  to  all  expectations.  The  main  problems  are 
incomplete or not-up-to date country information; need for a more comprehensive overview 
of youth research; lack of comparative research and a quite varying degree of availability of 
correspondents from different Member States. Significant progress has been made in 2008. 

Conclusions 

Member  States  have  taken  a  variety  of  different  approaches  to  identifying,  augmenting, 
updating and providing access to information on youth. Policy and institutional frameworks 
and structures are in place or are being developed in many countries, and a significant amount 
of valuable research on youth exists. Reporting systems show wide variations – from regular 
national  reports  to  ad  hoc  activities  focused  around  EU  reporting  cycles.  The  EU  reporting 
requirement  acted  as  a  stimulus  encouraging  countries  to  engage  in  youth  research  and  to 
develop and organise existing knowledge around the agreed priorities. 

However, in many countries work remains to be done to achieve synergies across the various 
policy  areas  of  relevance  to  youth.  It  would  also  be  important  to  promote,  stimulate  and 
facilitate  wider  co-ordination  and  deeper  co-operation  between  research  actors  and  to 
strengthen research networks. 

Significant challenges also remain in terms of achieving a common European understanding 
of  descriptors  and  definitions,  which  would  allow  trans-national  comparative  analysis. 

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Good practice examples 

Finland has made significant progress in terms of achieving closer cooperation between the 
formerly  unconnected  domains  of  children,  family  and  youth  policy  research  and 
development. The stress on horizontal youth policy in the Youth Pact in particular stimulates 
increasing  research  cooperation  between  youth  and  other  social  policies.  Youth  research  is 
coordinated  by  the  Youth  Research  Society.  The  Youth  Research  Network,  the  Advisory 
Council  for  Youth  Affairs,  the National  Research  and  Development  Centre  for  Welfare  and 
Health (STAKES) and Statistics Finland cooperate in producing youth data and research.  

In France the National Institute of Young People and Education (INJEP) promotes research 
in the field of young people and education, produces regular reviews containing quantitative 
and  qualitative  information.  INJEP  also  hosts  the  National  Observatory  on  Young  People 
(ONJ), which was created in 2008 and has a remit to collect, compile and process data and 
information  on  young  people,  analyse  and  publish  data,  communicate  results  and  support 
decision making.  

In  Flanders  in  Belgium  JOP  (Youth  Research  Platform)  plays  a  central  role.  Its  aim  is  to 
develop a frame of reference for youth research in Flanders, prepare an inventory of existing 
research, facilitate access to existing materials, and develop new research areas.  

Sweden is in the process of developing an increasingly cross-sectoral youth policy and youth 
research approach. Aspects of youth policy are broadly mainstreamed across the full range of 
national  policies,  and  the  collection,  analysis  and  dissemination  of  knowledge  on  the  living 
conditions  of  young  people  is  fundamental  to  national  policies  on  youth.  Approximately 
fifteen government agencies provide data on 80 quality of life indicators for young people in 
their  annual  reports.  These  reports  are  sent  to  the  National  Board  for  Youth  Affairs,  which 
carries out annual in-depth thematic analyses of one or more priority areas. 

In  the  Netherlands,  “Youth  Monitor”,  introduced  in  2007,  is  the  main  source  of  statistical 
information. An initiative of the Ministry for Youth and Families, in collaboration with other 
ministries  and  Dutch  municipalities,  “Youth  Monitor”  provides  information  on  the  situation 
of  children  and  young  people  concerning  important  policy  areas  such  as  health,  diversity, 
justice, lifestyles, education and employment. “Youth Monitor” applies seven indicators that 
give a general overview of the state of youth, while the total set of 60 indicators provides a 
comprehensive picture. 

Forum  21  is  an  information  and  communications  project  implemented  jointly  between 
France,  Germany  and  the  UK.  It  has  published  two  reviews:  a  European  review  on  the 
politics  of  children  and  young  people  and  a  European  review  of  research  on  children  and 
young people. 

Luxembourg has started developing indicators in the youth field that relate to concrete issues 
such as the situation of youth on the labour market, violence or drug use. In the field of non-
formal  learning,  the  validation  of  the  voluntary  service  has  led  to  considerations  about 
indicators to make competences acquired through non-formal learning measurable. 

Poland  has  launched  a  series  of  research  either  exclusively  on  youth  or  focusing  also  on 
youth,  such  as  a  survey  on  career  pathways  and  participation  in  culture  and  it  is  planning 
another one on health. 

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2.2. 

Objective  2:  In  a  second  stage  identify  -  including  at  local  and  regional  level  - 
existing  knowledge  in  further  priority  areas  of  interest  to  the  youth  field  and 
implement measures to supplement, update and facilitate access to it 

Clarification 

Concerning  this  objective  the  focus  is  on  the  content  of  the  research,  which  relates  to  other 
priorities in the youth field than the ones covered by the first common objective, namely on 
areas  such  as  autonomy,  non-formal  learning,  discrimination,  education  and  training, 
employment,  entrepreneurship,  creativity,  transition  from  education  to  employment,  social 
inclusion and health.  

Action lines 

Seven action lines were agreed for the implementation of this objective, four of which address 
the national, regional and local levels and three at the European level. 

Those  referring  to  the  national,  regional  and  local  levels  concern  the  identification  and 
organisation of existing knowledge in the youth field for further priority areas of interest such 
as  autonomy,  non-formal  learning,  discrimination,  education  and  training,  employment, 
entrepreneurship,  creativity,  transition  from  education  to  employment,  social  inclusion  and 
health; the augmentation and regular update of knowledge on such themes, (also taking into 
consideration  practical  knowledge),  the  facilitation  of  access  to  knowledge  on  such  themes 
and  information  on  the  corresponding  actors,  as  well  as  activities  to  ensure  the  user-
friendliness of relevant information.  

The  European  level  action  lines  encourage  making  the  best  use  of  available  and  relevant 
instruments  –  such  as  current  and  future  programmes  in  the  youth  field,  Eurobarometer, 
Eurostat  and  the  current  and  future  framework  research  programmes,  the  dissemination  of 
information  collected  to  interested  actors,  and  making  the  best  use  of  any  instrument  being 
developed by the Commission in co-operation with the Council of Europe.  

Measures taken by Member States 

In  terms  of  the  information  provided  in  the  national  reports,  there  is  a  lack  of  specific 
information regarding existing knowledge on priorities targeted by this objective. Where these 
priority areas are mentioned, they cover a wide range of topics relating to young people, such 
as values, student rights, employment, transition between school and the labour market, social 
integration,  social  inclusion,  training,  education,  service  for  young  people,  marginalised 
youth,  recreation  and  leisure,  family  life,  peers  and  relationships,  young  Roma,  health  and 
lifestyles  of  young  people.  Other  research  topics  include  inter-generational  relationships, 
evaluation of the politics of engagement of young people, independence of young people, the 
situation of adolescents and pre- adolescents in society, and the European awareness of young 
people.  

Structures and processes that facilitate knowledge mainstreaming in policy making processes 
exist in some countries. An example for such a structure is a body consolidating knowledge 
about youth that is also in charge of providing support to youth policy-making at municipal 
level, which eventually led to the development of a youth service system. Knowledge about 
youth  is  also  disseminated  via  conferences  and  seminars.  Some  countries  report  that  youth 
organisations are involved in these and are consequently consulted in decision-making.  

Measures at European level 

The  Commission  incited  that  scientific  evidence  on  issues  such  as  employment,  health  and 
life-styles be taken on board of EKCYP. The collection of data is finalised; they are currently 

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being interpreted and will be uploaded into EKCYP at the latest by the end of the year. Other 
topics  already  covered  by  EKCYP,  apart  from  above-mentioned  and  apart  from  the  OMC 
priorities, are non-formal learning and antidiscrimination.  

The Youth in Action Programme funded a study on the existing national practices regarding 
the  access  of  young  people  to  culture.  Another  “Thematic  study  on  policy  measures 
concerning  disadvantaged  youth”  deals  with  issues,  which  relate  very  specifically  to  one  of 
the strands of the European Youth Pact. The Commission produced a synthesis of the research 
activities  in  the  youth  field,  carried  out  under  the  6th  and  7th  Research  Framework 
Programmes4. 

Conclusions 

Member States routinely collect, compile and make available a range of statistical data which 
include  information  about  young  people  –  for  example  health,  employment  and  education. 
The extent to which this data is used to conduct research on youth in the further priority areas 
is not clear from the reports.  

Cooperation  in  the  youth  field  goes  beyond  these  issues  and  as  youth  policy  advances,  the 
need for scientific evidence evolves. It is therefore important that research on new priorities is 
launched and existing and new research is regularly uploaded into EKCYP so that all Member 
States,  European  institutions,  researchers  and  civil  society  can  easily  find  and  access  the 
existing knowledge. 

Good practice examples 

In  Ireland  there  were  a  number  of  publicly  supported  research  initiatives  and  publications 
which have enhanced understanding of diverse aspects of young people’s lives and lifestyles, 
including  the  priority  and  ‘further  priority’  areas.  The  latter  include  the  first  full-length 
academic text book on young people in Ireland5. It provides a synthesis of existing research 
into  young  people  in  Ireland  along  with  a  commentary  and  analysis,  and  places  the  Irish 
findings in a comparative European and international context. 

In  Slovenia  the  Youth  Office  invited  several  researchers,  youth  organisations  and  young 
people to discuss the issue of qualitative spending of leisure time activities. As a follow-up, a 
publication with contributions from different stakeholders was published. The Youth Office is 
also planning a comprehensive research project on youth. 

2.3. 

Objective  3:  Ensure  quality,  comparability  and  relevance  of  knowledge  in  the 
youth field by using appropriate methods and tools 

Action lines 

Five action lines were agreed for the implementation of this objective, two of which address 
the national, regional and local levels and three the European level. 

Those  referring  to  the  national,  regional  and  local  levels  concern:  the  development  of 
appropriate tools and methods to reinforce understanding and knowledge of young people and 
facilitate  the  exploitation  of  results  as  well  as  the  promotion  of  education  and  training  of 
youth  researchers  and  experts  as  well  as  of  any  other  actors  developing  knowledge  in  the 
youth field. 

4 
5 

http://www.ec.europa.eu/research 
Lalor, de Róiste and Devlin, 2007 

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The European level action lines concern cooperation to identify and define common concepts 
and  minimum  core  content  in  order  to  reinforce  a  common  understanding  of  the  defined 
priority themes; co-operation to determine quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods to 
exploit  and  compare  results  on  commonly  identified  themes;  and  cooperation  to  better 
identify indicators to evaluate the impact of current and future programmes in the youth field. 

Measures taken by Member States 

Methods and tools to ensure quality, comparability and relevance of knowledge 

Quality 

Only a few Member States have fairly structured processes for quality assurance in place. One 
country reports about an external review commission that monitors the progress and quality of 
youth research. Another Member State has an orientation committee in place that carries out a 
pre-quality  check  in  order  to  ensure  the  quality  and  cohesion  with  its  youth  and  families 
research programme. Statistical offices regularly check the quality of their data.  

Some  countries  make  specific  reference  to  evaluation  methods.  They  report  evaluating  the 
quality  and  quantity  of  research.  Where  indicators  are  used  they  focus  on  qualitative  and 
statistical indicators. Member States report applying indicators on issues such as child well-
being,  socio-demographic  developments,  education  outcomes,  health,  social  and  emotional 
behaviour, etc. 

Another means of striving for better quality is to ensure that youth research is in the hands of 
professional  researchers,  that  they  engage  in  continuing  professional  development  and  that 
young  researchers  are  supported  and  helped  in  their  development.  Support  of  young 
researchers  once  they  have  obtained  their  doctor's  degree  is  one  means  to  interest  young 
people  in  research  and  make  them  consider  this  as  their  life  pathway.  There  exist  also 
measures in the Member States to strive for a higher educational level of those working with 
youth. Other measures aim at improved mobility and exchanges of students and researchers.  

Comparability 

Advances in information technology have helped making in particular data, such as statistics, 
but also research findings more accessible and user-friendly but also easier to compare. They 
also allow for an easier cooperation and exchange between those who develop statistics.  

Countries also report that a means to gain a greater understanding and knowledge and thus the 
chance  to  put  their  own  research  into  a  European  context,  is  to  participate  in  European 
statistics, longitudinal studies, sample surveys and youth opinion polls.  

At national level the measures to ensure the relevance of youth research vary. One recurrent 
approach  is  the  establishment  of  committees,  platforms  or  expert  groups  that  take  stock, 
analyse,  synthesise,  publish  and  support  exchange,  which  helps  raising  the  visibility  and 
enlarge the outreach of youth research.  

Measures at European level 

At  EU  level  EKCYP  provides  tools  and  networks  for  cooperation  to  identify  and  define 
common concepts and minimum core content in order to reinforce a common understanding 
of  the  defined  priority  themes.  These  goals  are  also  supported  by  the  Commission  and 
Member State peer learning activities on participation, information and health. 

The  active  participation  of  researchers  in  European  networks  such  as  the  European 
Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy (EKCYP) is qualified as being beneficial for contributing 
to the European database and development of youth policy, but also to put the own research 
into relation to research activities of other Member States. 

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In order to ensure cooperation to  better  identify  indicators  to  evaluate  the  impact  of  current 
and future programmes in the youth field, a Memorandum of Understanding between Eurostat 
and DG EAC was signed in 2006. 

Conclusions 

A range of methods and tools is being applied to youth research across Europe, and the results 
are  disseminated  in  a  variety  of  ways.  Some  progress  has  been  made  in  individual  Member 
States  on  developing  indicators  to  monitor  and  evaluate  research.  Measures  are  in  place  to 
support and develop research capacity on youth issues. 

The  impression  persists  that  systematic  approaches  are  rather  rare.  The  situation  of  youth 
research  appears  to  be  tight  in  many  countries,  and  there  are  still  not  enough  young 
researchers. 

At EU level more comparative research and descriptors would be needed. 

Good Practice examples 

In  its  process  of  developing  and  drafting  a  national  youth  strategy  Hungary  makes  sure  to 
include quality indicators.  

Austria aims at securing the quality of statistical data through a series of measures, such as 
the  introduction  and  application  of  international  standards  and  scientific  validation,  the 
promotion of mobility of researchers, and financial support for research.  

In  Germany  the  Youth  Welfare  Association  (Arbeitsgemeinschaft  Jugendhilfe,  AGJ) 
provides  an  institutionalised  and  broad  exchange  network  for  youth  researchers  and  youth 
policy makers. 

Latvia  has  a  system  of  indicators  which  was  created  to  evaluate  local  youth  policy  and  to 
facilitate  its  implementation.  Municipalities  can  use  the  indicators  to  evaluate  the  local 
situation  with  respect  to  youth  work,  identify  fields  where  developments  can  be  made  and 
ensure  implementation  of  targeted  youth  policy.  The  indicators  include  both  qualitative  and 
quantitative data. 

The  German-speaking  community,  and  in  particular  the  Jugendbüro  (Youth  Office),  of 
Belgium attributes importance to the use of international comparative studies, such as the Pisa 
study, exchanges with youth research experts from other regions in Belgium as well as from 
other countries. 

In the Czech Republic quantitative and qualitative surveys on various topics of relevance to 
young people are used to monitor the situation of young people. The results of these surveys 
are published and made public, which helps achieving a higher visibility of youth research. 

In  Lithuania  the  Department  of  Youth  Affairs  has  promoted  youth  research  among  young 
people by implying them directly into research projects. It financed projects and initiatives for 
youth and youth organisations by launching a call for proposals on “Participation of Youth in 
the  Creation  of  Knowledge  Society”.  This  resulted  in  a  number  of  pilot  projects  in  several 
regions  and  municipalities,  where  the  situation  of  youth  was  analysed  and  comprehensive 
knowledge  gathered.  This  pilot  project  encouraged  other  municipalities  to  carry  out  similar 
analyses  on  their  own  initiative.  It  thus  contributed  to  making  youth  research  known  to  a 
larger public and in particular to those concerned by it. 

Malta  plans  to  launch  a  major  youth  research  project  this  year  in  which  it  will  invest  a 
significant  amount  of  funding  and  whose  aim  is  to  facilitate  the  collection,  analysis  and 

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dissemination of information about youth on the Maltese islands. The results will be collected 
and analysed and political and practical action will be taken accordingly. 

In the Slovak Republic an expert group focusing on youth research was established in 2007 
under the supervision of the National Youth Institute (IUVENTA) and the Slovak Agency for 
Youth  Research.  This  expert  group  monitors  and  evaluates  surveys  among  young  people, 
provides  methodological  help  and  individual  consultations,  publishes  research  outcomes  but 
also information about theoretical and methodological issues and procedures and standardised 
research  techniques  for  different  areas  of  young  people’s  lives.  In  this  way  it  has  helped  to 
raise awareness, visibility and relevance of youth research and has improved its quality. 

2.4. 

Objective 4: Facilitate and promote exchange, dialogue and networks to ensure 
visibility of knowledge in the youth field and anticipate future needs 

Action lines 

Four action lines were agreed for the implementation of this objective, three of which address 
the national, regional and local level, and one the European level. 

Those referring to the national, regional and local levels concern: the development of national 
networks  between  policy  makers,  researchers,  young  people  and  their  organisations; 
discussing  future  needs,  trends  within  these  networks  and  identifying  new  priorities  and 
methods;  and  promoting  cross-sectoral  cooperation,  exchanges  and  dialogue  between 
different sectors and knowledge areas (through conferences, seminars and events). 

The  European  level  action  line  concerns  coordination  of  the  national  networks  through  the 
setting  up  by  the  Commission  in  cooperation  with  the  Council  of  Europe,  of  a  European 
Union Network of Youth Knowledge. 

Measures taken by Member States 

The  situation  concerning  networks  between  policy  makers,  researchers,  young  people  and 
their organisation differs from one country to another. At best networks of all relevant youth 
stakeholders  exist.  Sometimes  specific  organisations  are  set  up,  such  as  youth  institutes,  a 
youth  curator,  a  consultative  commission,  a  council  for  youth  affairs  or  for  youth  policy 
coordination  or  a  research  group.  There  are  also  countries  that  have  neither  formal  nor 
permanent  networks  but  which  organise  regular  meetings  with  stakeholders,  seminars  or 
consultations. 

The  work  of  networks,  structures  or  consulting  bodies,  where  they  exist,  is  extensive  and 
comprises  advising  the  government  on  policy  development,  developing  research  and 
procedures  in  the  youth  field,  dialogue,  mutual  exchange  and  information  but  also  training 
and project-based work.  

When it comes to cross-sectoral cooperation, it takes at best place in the framework of cross-
sectoral, multi-disciplinary networks of policy-makers, researchers and civil society. Some of 
the  countries  that  do  no  have  fully-fledged  cooperation  structures  in  place  ad  hoc  dialogue, 
exchange  and  cooperation  on  youth  issues  take  place  across  different  policy  and  research 
fields. 

It is interesting to note that scientific cooperation between different countries seems to be well 
developed, as countries refer to trans-national or interregional interdisciplinary networks, such 
as  between  Scandinavian  countries.  The  European  Youth  Information  and  Counselling 
Agency  (ERYICA)  is  mentioned  as  positive  example  for  providing  European-wide 
information and knowledge about youth and to provide a useful exchange network. 

Measures at European level 

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The  Commission  has  created  the  European  Network  of  Youth  Knowledge  (EUNYK),  the 
network of policy makers, young people and researchers to help with the implementation of 
the common objectives. This network gathers in Brussels at least once a year. It advices the 
Commission on youth policy issues and contributed to the reflections on the future of youth 
policy. Member States reported that EUNYK has inspired the setting up of research structures 
at national level.  

In  July  2006  the  Finnish  Presidency  organised,  in  cooperation  with  researchers  and  young 
people, a youth event in Hyvinkää that was co-funded by the YOUTH programme. This event 
enabled tripartite discussions between policymakers, researchers and young people.  

Conclusions 

In general Member States acknowledge the EU's driving force in the matter and the common 
objectives' impetus for the development of national networks. 

The national reports reveal a diverse range of networks, from formally established ones to ad 
hoc groups. Member States recognise the necessity of youth research, yet it would need to be 
organised in a more systematic way in most countries. 

At EU level EUNYK was created, but needs more support from Member States.  

Good Practice 

In Spain INJUVE, a public institute under the Ministry for Equality brings together different 
administrative departments and actors in the youth field with the aim of promoting activities 
in  favour  of  young  people.  It  also  aims  at  facilitating  international  exchange  and  access  to 
knowledge and experiences in the youth field. It has also created a prize for researchers who 
focus their doctoral thesis on youth  

In Bulgaria the State Agency for youth and sports developed “Compass”, a national network, 
which  provides  the  opportunity  for  online  exchange  of  information  between  actors  in  the 
youth field at national and regional level. This networking facility was used when a national 
debate entitled “Structured Dialogue and Young People in Bulgaria” was held. A result of the 
discussions and suggestions made was the drafting of a Youth Declaration.  

Greece has established a network focusing on youth entrepreneurship. This Observatory for 
Youth  Entrepreneurship  and  Youth  Entrepreneurship  Structures  brings  together  the  relevant 
actors  in  this  particular  field,  aiming  at  encouraging  young  people  to  become  young 
entrepreneurs.  It  promotes  information  and  gives  guidance  on  youth  entrepreneurial  and 
employment issues. Apart from that it also offers training.  

Portugal  has  created  a  web  portal  in  the  youth  field  that  aims  at  setting  up  a  virtual  youth 
community  and  at  strengthening  links,  also  at  international  level.  It  contains  a  wealth  of 
information about the youth field.  

In  Estonia  the  Ministry  of  Education  and  Research  is  developing  a  network  of  youth 
researchers.  Its  main  partner  is  the  Youth  Research  Institute.  There  are  also  a  number  of 
research  groups  established  that  conduct  research  projects,  which  deal  with  knowledge 
creation  in  the  youth  field;  these  are  financed  from  both  the  Estonian  science  financing 
schemes and the international financing schemes.  

Italy  is,  through  ISFOL  -  Istituto  per  lo  sviluppo  della  formazione  professionale  dei 
lavoratori (Institute for the development of professional training of workers) actively engaged 
in  international  research  and  information  networks,  such  as  “ReferNet”,  a  structured, 
decentralised, networking system of collection, documentation and dissemination of research 
and  information.  "ReferNet"  contributes  to  developing  a  common  approach  to  research 

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through exchanges and with the aim of transparency, synergies and dissemination of national 
and  European  vocational  education  and  training  research  through  a  specific  database.  It 
involves raising awareness and disseminating results of the activities of the European Centre 
for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop). 

Iceland  reports  that  a  major  turning  point  for  youth  research  was  the  establishment  of  an 
Institute of Educational Studies which conducted a landmark nationwide survey among youth 
aged  14  to  20  years.  With  the  more  general  youth  surveys  being  later  handed  over  to  the 
Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis, a non-profit research centre specialising in 
youth  research  and  special  research  for  policymakers,  and  its  association  to  the  School  of 
Health and Education at Reykjavik University, Iceland has good experiences with the creation 
of research structures that explicitly allow for a focus on youth research. 

2.5. 

Consultation of young people  

There  is  very  little  evidence  that  Member  States  have  consulted  young  people  when  their 
reports  on  the  implementation  of  the  common  objectives  on  better  knowledge  and  greater 
understanding were prepared. Only few Member States refer to such consultations and most 
of those which do give information about how young people are consulted in general in their 
countries. 

2.6. 

Difficulties/Suggestions  

Difficulties 

Changes of administrative structures at all levels and reorganisations are sometimes perceived 
as  a  reason  for  the  lack  of  ability  to  build  continuous  and  permanent  structures  in  the 
knowledge of the youth field. 

A lack of cross-sectoral cooperation on youth issues and consequently also on youth research 
is mentioned by a number of countries. Reasons mentioned are a lack of coordination between 
different  departments,  lack  of  cooperation  between  relevant  institutions  but  also  between 
different  research  fields  and  researchers  themselves.  Member  States  express  themselves  in 
favour  of  a  better  integration  of  youth  activities,  including  better  knowledge  across  policy 
areas. There is also the wish for improved cooperation between youth policy, youth research 
and youth work.  

Other difficulties that Member States report are a lack of reliable and comparable data. There 
is  also  regret  of  a  lack  of  studies,  surveys  and  opinion  polls  aimed  at  young  people.  The 
balance  between  qualitative  and  quantitative  research  is  addressed.  Some  find  national 
evaluation for the identification of new youth research areas insufficient and regret the lack of 
central steering and coordination of contents of youth research. Another weakness highlighted 
is the lack of a young generation of researchers, which is particularly problematic given that 
"youth" is the subject matter in question. 

Suggestions 

Reliable  and  comparable  data  concerning  young  people  are  one  major  demand  of  Member 
States. Another demand was that for the elaboration of a European youth report – a proposal 
that the Commission has anticipated by presenting the first European Youth Report as another 
annex  to  the  current  Communication  "Youth:  Investing  and  Empowering",  to  which  this 
report is also an annex.  

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EU  Research  should  be  reinforced.  Cooperation  with  the  Commission's  Directorate-General 
for  Research  has  led  to  different  youth  specific  projects  under  the  5th  and  6th  Research 
Framework Programme, and DG Research has recently finalised a Policy Review "European 
Research  on  Youth",  which  distils  some  common  recurring  themes  which  are  of  interest  to 
policymakers Under the 7th Research Framework Programme the programme on research for 
socio-economic sciences and humanities including youth has launched in 2008 a cluster of 5 
research  projects  on  "Youth  and  social  exclusion",  testifying  to  the  importance  the  EC 
attaches  to  this  domain.  Further  projectys  in  "Democratic  ownership  and  participation"  are 
ongoing  and  proposals  on  "Education  and  Training"  have  been  invited  In  order  to  further 
reinforce the EU's Research efforts, priorities, such as youth and entrepreneurship, youth and 
health,  youth  and  culture,  economic  value  of  volunteering,  trends  in  political  participation, 
education  and  employment,poverty  could  feature  in  the  research  working  programme  2010-
2013. The Youth in Action Programme could support studies relevant for the EU strategy for 
young people. 

Another  proposal  of  the  Member  States  targets  a  strong  and  sustainable  infrastructure  for 
youth  research;  some  call  it  an  observatory  for  youth  research.  From  this  point  of  view 
EKCYP is a good starting point for the collection of data. Based on structures like Eurydice 
and  in  cooperation  with  the  Council  of  Europe  a  better  exploitation  of  those  data  will  be 
considered by the European Commission.  

A  strengthened  cooperation  between  policy,  practice  and  research  at  national  and  European 
level is proposed, with a stronger implication of civil society and young people. There is also 
strong desire to develop better tools for sharing research results between the Member States, 
to  create  more  opportunities  for  meetings  and  exchanges  between  researchers  and  for  more 
joint  working  between  researchers  from  Member  States.  Apart  from  that  the  promotion  of 
regional cooperation networks is proposed. 

3. 

CONCLUSIONS  AND  PROPOSALS  FOR  THE  FUTURE  OF  EVIDENCE-BASED  POLICY-
MAKING 

Evidence-based policy making is appropriate, it even is a necessity, but in order for policy to 
actually  make  use  of  scientific  evidence  the  latter  must  be  timely  and  respond  swiftly  to 
concrete needs as they occur. Policymakers must have the tools to be able to rapidly respond 
to  societal  challenges.  In  order  to  identify  and  anticipate  them,  it  is  primordial  to  bring  all 
actors together on a regular basis.  

Member  States  evaluate  the  common  objectives  for  better  knowledge  and  a  greater 
understanding as a useful incentive towards stepping up evidence-based policy making in the 
youth field. The common objectives appear to have supported countries with an already well 
developed research approach and network to focus their efforts and to reinforce their cross-
border cooperation within the EU. In countries with a relatively new or less developed youth 
research they incited action and helped orientate their efforts.  

While progress has been made since the adoption of the common objectives in 2004 and lots 
of good practices exist, much is still to be done in this field. As a first measure it is proposed 
to confirm the common objectives and to identify action lines on which the focus would be in 
the coming years.  

The major challenge seems to be a coordinated approach to youth research that brings all the 
actors  in  the  field  –  policy  makers,  researcher,  civil  society,  youth  workers,  young  people, 
business  and  private  sponsors,  and  any  other  relevant  actors  –  together  in  a  joint  effort  to 
identify, streamline and focus youth research. Another issue is the identification of topics for 

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youth  research.  Of  course,  there  will  always  be  specific  national  research  needs,  but  there 
should also joint content priorities be set. In this context it is proposed to focus scientific work 
in  the  youth  field  on  the  new  topics  proposed  in  the  Communication  "Youth:  Investing  and 
Empowering". 

The  creation  of  networks  that  encompass  all  relevant  actors  in  the  youth  field  and  in  other 
policy fields of relevance for youth is an inevitable pathway towards better bringing together 
needs for scientific evidence and actual research projects. 

It appears to be important that a cross-sectoral and, in the best case, a cross-border approach is 
chosen. Cooperation between researchers from different disciplines and countries needs to be 
encouraged.  The  involvement  of  young  researchers  as  well  as  their  development  should  be 
reinforced and future career perspectives should be made much more attractive.  

Once the research has been carried out, it is important to make it known to the largest possible 
public across the EU. To this end all actors should develop the habit of putting new research 
on the European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy (EKCYP). Only in this way it can live 
up to its convocation of becoming a real centre of European youth policy knowledge. 

Research costs money. Member States report about financial and human resource difficulties 
when it comes to youth research. New ways of thinking are encouraged; new sponsors, such 
as  foundations,  charities  and  even  from  industry  need  to  be  found,  cross-sectoral, 
multidisciplinary  and  cross-border  cooperation  might  help  share  costs  and  knowledge.  New 
ways and means of communication and new technologies need to be used more. 

The need for descriptors/indicators in the youth policy field has been underlined by Member 
States  in  their  reports.  While  Member  States  are  encouraged  to  develop  national  indicators, 
the Commission will set up a group of interested Member States, researchers and stakeholders 
to  elaborate  indicators.  This  group  will  take  the  work  of  the  peer  learning  group  on 
participation and information further, but will not exclude elaborating indicators also for other 
priorities.  

EKCYP has helped facilitate access to scientific research in the youth field but it has not yet 
achieved fully its objectives. It is proposed to not create new structures. Correspondents must 
be  able  to  dedicate  time  to  update  and  upload  information  regularly.  A  strong  commitment 
from all Member States towards EKCYP is necessary to concentrate on the core tasks, which 
are to: 

- Complete country information  

- Enlarge youth policy information  

- Provide more and comparative research  

- Improve availability of correspondents. 

As Member States expressly approve of the EUNYK network, it is proposed to reinforce it. 
Apart  from  the  annual  meetings  it  is  proposed  to  also  call  meetings  on  specific  topics,  as 
occasions arise and according to new developments.  
It is proposed to launch a pilot project with Eurydice6 The pilot project could consist of the 
production  of  an  overview  of  existing  major  evidence  on  important  issues  of  youth  policy, 
such as participation, information, voluntary activities, health, etc.  

6 

An EU institutional network for gathering, monitoring, processing and circulating reliable and readily 
comparable information on education systems and policies 

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Concluding, it can be stated that a paradigm shift is needed from collecting better knowledge 
to actively promoting the outreach of the specialised scientific evidence in the youth field to 
other policy areas. 

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