Good practices in youth participation

The Youth Participation Project is a governmental action programme run in the years 2003 - 2007. The project aims at developing new operational models and service systems at the local level to support youth participation. The English summary of the best practices is now available online.

The key priorities of the participation project include the development of schools using a communal and co-operative approach, guidance for upper secondary education and/or towards the labour market, and the development of living conditions and environments by improving the possibilities of young people to participate and to make a difference. In addition, cross-cutting themes in the project activities include co-operation across administrative boundaries, the co-ordination of services, the development of the service system, prevention, and early intervention.

The first stage in seeking and establishing suitable practices would appear to be the definition of local and/or regional needs. The activities of co-operation networks and the consultation of all stakeholders are essential here. Projects that have been successful in co-ordination would seem to be characterised by an efficient and dialogic transfer of information on the needs “in the field” (young people, employees) in municipal decision-making. Questionnaires, surveys of living conditions and various co-operations forums (teams, discussions, seminars) have been useful in this. Many localities have started to systematically collect information on the situation of the transition from basic to upper secondary education (the number of dropouts, the available services, etc.) only in connection with the participation project. It seems that, after this systematic assessment, the demand for various concrete practices will increase and their practical application will become possible.

Further information

The English summary of the publication (pdf)