DefinePK

Research Objective

To evaluate the progress made in implementing the EU Youth Strategy for the period 2019-2021, covering the first EU triennial Work Plan for Youth.

Methodology

This report is based on an evaluation of progress towards the objectives and priorities of the EU Youth Strategy for 2019-2021. It draws on data from Eurostat, Flash Eurobarometer surveys, and other relevant EU publications and initiatives. The methodology involves analyzing the impact of the EU Youth Strategy across its core areas: Engage, Connect, and Empower, with a particular focus on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A[Commission Report on EU Youth Strategy] --> B[Data Collection & Analysis];
    B --> C[Evaluation of Progress 2019-2021];
    C --> D[Identification of Key Findings];
    D --> E[Discussion of Impacts and Challenges];
    E --> F[Formulation of Conclusions and Future Outlook];
    F --> G[Recommendations for Future Work Plans];                    

Discussion

The report highlights the dual impact of the EU Youth Strategy: its foundational role in fostering youth cooperation and policy development, and the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic's disruption underscored pre-existing inequalities and necessitated adaptive measures within EU programs. The strategy's core pillars—Engage, Connect, Empower—have been central to addressing these challenges, with a focus on digital transformation, green initiatives, and social inclusion. The report emphasizes the importance of youth work, media literacy, and mental health support in the post-pandemic era.

Key Findings

- Youth access to opportunities in education, employment, mobility, and democratic participation improved leading up to 2019 but was significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The pandemic led to educational discontinuity, job losses, social isolation, and mental health issues among young people, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities.
- Youth organizations played a crucial role in implementing the EU Youth Strategy and adapting to the pandemic's challenges, though many faced operational difficulties.
- The EU Youth Strategy has provided a roadmap for cooperation and support for youth policies, with programs like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps adapting to new challenges, including digital and hybrid formats.
- Strengthening young people's democratic participation, supporting the green transition, and promoting social inclusion and recovery are key priorities.

Conclusion

The EU Youth Strategy (2019-2021) has provided a robust framework for cooperation and policy support, despite the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy has demonstrated its ability to adapt, with EU programs like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps evolving to meet new challenges. Future efforts will focus on further strengthening participatory processes, reaching diverse youth populations, implementing the European Youth Work Agenda, and addressing the pandemic's long-term effects on youth education, employment, and mental health. The upcoming European Year of Youth in 2022 aims to further empower and engage young people in a post-pandemic Europe.

Fact Check

- 86 million young people lived in the EU-28 in 2019: This figure is cited from Eurostat and is presented as a factual statistic.
- Youth unemployment rate in EU-27 increased from 11.9% in 2019 to 13.3% in 2020: This statistic quantifies the impact of the pandemic on youth employment.
- 70% of organizations were unable to maintain more than 20% of their activities: This statistic, from the COVID-19 Knowledge Hub analysis, illustrates the operational impact of the pandemic on youth organizations.

Mind Map