Research on Impacts of COVID-19 on young Europeans

Completed

One year after it began, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected young people and that youth precarity is on the rise. Therefore, European Youth Forum will undertake research to:

1) Determine how the crisis affected young European's social and economic inclusion since it began in March 2020;
2) Whether youth benefited from crisis response policies;
3) Identify the specific challenges that vulnerable and marginalised youth face.

By analysing the youth-specific impacts, ​identifying promising practices and/or gaps in the response, our research aims to provide evidence-based policy recommendations to ensure an intersectional youth-inclusive COVID-19 recovery.

Entity

European Youth Forum Youth organization, civil society, non-governmental, non-profit organization

Policy, advocacy and convening power

Sustainable Development Goals & targets

  • 8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
  • 8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
  • 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
  • 10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality

description

The sharp rise in unemployment and in precarity among youth in Europe since the pandemic began raises serious concern about their long-term prospects. As European governments plan national recovery strategies, our research aims to serve as an evidence base on how national governments and institutions can ensure a response that both meets youth's needs, respects their rights, and puts quality jobs at its core.

This research and advocacy initiative from the European Youth Forum will build on existing data drawn from the global survey on Youth & COVID-19 undertaken in partnership with the ILO, Decent Jobs for Youth, and others. Looking at the impacts of the crisis on youth employment, education, mental health and other socio-economic rights, it aims to understand how the situation has progressed over the year since the crisis first began. Beyond quantitative analysis, it will include a mapping of national policy responses in Europe and whether youth have benefited from these. Recognising that youth is not a homogenous group, the research will also include 5 focus groups of vulnerable and marginalised groups of youths: young persons with disabilities, young Roma, rural youth, young migrants and refugees, and NEETs. The policy recommendations included in the final report will be developed in further consultation with youth organisations. Thus, diverse young people will participate in shaping the research by telling us their own stories and how they want their governments to respond.

The research began in December 2020 and the report will be launched in June 2021.

https://www.youthforum.org/
https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanYouthForum
https://www.instagram.com/youth_forum/
https://twitter.com/youth_forum

Deliverables and links to SDG targets

  • Progress: 1 out of 1 knowledge products on youth employment developed

    10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

    Finalised report outlining the finding of our research on the impacts of COVID-19 and youth and including policy recommendations developed in collaboration with youth organisations. 

    BY: Jun 2021
  • Progress: 1 out of 1 knowledge sharing or advocacy tactics on youth employment carried out, including events, campaigns and media items

    8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

    The European Youth Forum will collaborate with the Decent Joys for Youth team to deliver at least one product aimed at sharing and promoting both the findings of the report and the DJY initiative. This could include contributing to a blog or co-organising a webinar with the platform. 

    BY: Dec 2021

Start

01-Jan-2021

End

31-Dec-2021

Target: Only young people 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-35

Primarily:
  • Young people in rural areas
  • Youth with disabilities
  • Specific ethnic groups
  • Low-income individuals
  • Young people with low levels of education and/or drop-outs

Gallery

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