Social cohesion

Social inclusion, specifically of young people in vulnerable situations, is a challenging topic throughout Europe and its neighbouring regions, ever more so in the aftermath of the recent economic crisis. In line with the youth agendas of both, the Council of Europe and the European Commission, the EU-CoE youth partnership has the topic of social inclusion of young people as one of its key priorities for 2014-16. In this section you will find policy sheets summing up the relevance of social inclusion and related topics for youth policy, relevant thematic reports and links to further resources.

Social inclusion

Social inclusion is a youth policy priority of the EU and CoE strategies for sustainable and inclusive growth and the promotion of human rights. Both institutions build their policies on the understanding of the complex and multi-dimensional character of young people’s social integration and the grave risks that the economic crisis is still posing. Breaking down the barriers is made possible through development of evidence-based policy using the capacities of youth research, policy, practice...

Policy sheet on social inclusion (2014) ...

Housing and Residential Autonomy

Leaving home is an important transition for young people and a significant demographic phenomenon with generational and mobility consequences. This transition is profoundly interrelated with trajectories in the labour market, educational careers and paths towards the formation of family, but housing policies should not be completely dependent on the policies in these areas. The heterogeneity of the housing situations and possibilities across Europe is high, which constitutes a big challenge for the design, recommendation and applicability of European youth policy. (more...)

Youth and Disabilities

According to the WHO, around 10 per cent of the world's children and young people, some 200 million, have sensory, intellectual or mental health impairment. Estimates suggest that there are between 180 and 220 million youth with disabilities worldwide and nearly 80% of them live in developing countries. The number of youth with disabilities is likely to increase due to youthful age-structures in most developing countries and medical advancements which promote higher survival rates and life expectancy after impairment-causing diseases, health conditions, and injuries. There is a significant dearth of research on the prevalence and consequences of disabilities among youth. The data that does exist shows that young people with disabilities face many more challenges than their non-disabled peers. They often face prejudice and/or negative attitudes which hinder their participation, self-determination and inclusion in the society. (more...)