Social inclusion: resources
The continuing impact of COVID-19 on health and inequalities
The Health Foundation (August 2022)
The Health Foundation revisits the conclusions of COVID-19 impact inquiry to consider the further direct impact of COVID-19 on health outcomes and the broader implications for health and the wider determinants. They also discuss the extent to which previously highlighted risks to health have been addressed and the implications for the country of ‘living with COVID-19’.
Fifth round of the Living, working and COVID-19 e-survey: Living in a new era of uncertainty (vol 5, July 2022)
Eurofound, Author(s): Ahrendt, Daphne; Consolini, Michele; Mascherini, Massimiliano; Sándor, Eszter
The fifth round of Eurofound's e-survey, fielded from 25 March to 2 May 2022, sheds light on the social and economic situation of people across Europe two years after COVID-19 was first detected on the European continent. It also explores the reality of living in a new era of uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine, inflation, and rising energy prices.
The findings of the e-survey reveal the heavy toll of the pandemic, with respondents reporting lower trust in institutions than at the start of the pandemic, poorer mental well-being, a rise in the level of unmet healthcare needs and an increase in the number of households experiencing energy poverty.
Youth in Europe: Effects of COVID-19 on their economic and social situation
European Parliament
The study analyses the effects of COVID-19 on youth unemployment, inactivity, social exclusion, work-based learning and mental health. The analysis is based on quantitative indicators and qualitative information from policy documents. It discusses the probability of longer-term "scarring effects" comparing the impact of the current crisis to impacts observed during and in the aftermath of the global financial crisis in 2008/2009.
Youth employment in times of COVID. A global review of COVID-19 policy responses to tackle (un)employment and disadvantage among young people.
ILO, Barford, A., Coutts, A., and Sahai, G.
The report provides a snapshot account of the types of government response to the social and economic impacts of the pandemic, policy and evidence gaps, and future challenges. Key gaps in the response have also been detailed, such as a limited policy focus on gendered dimensions of the pandemic impact. The specific challenges facing young people have also often been overlooked in the general social and economic response policies.
Consumer Conditions Survey (published 12 March 2021)
European Commission
The European Commission is providing new information to assess consumers’ needs in the Single Market and the impact of COVID-19.
Violence against children and adolescents in the time of COVID-19
UNICEF
This document examines the exacerbation of risks and the erosion of protection factors relating to physical, psychological and sexual violence in the home experienced by adolescents and children, especially girls, within the context of COVID-19 in the region. It also provides recommendations on the integration of concrete actions into the response mechanisms developed by Latin American and Caribbean States to address the COVID-19 crisis.
A Rapid Review of Economic Policy and Social Protection Responses to Health and Economic Crises and Their Effects on Children
UNICEF
This rapid review seeks to inform the initial and long-term public policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, by assessing evidence on past economic policy and social protection responses to health and economic crises and their effects on children and families. The review focuses on virus outbreaks/emergencies, economic crises and natural disasters, which, like the COVID-19 pandemic, were 'rapid' in onset, had wide-ranging geographical reach, and resulted in disruption of social services and economic sectors, without affecting governance systems. Evidence is also drawn from the HIV/AIDS pandemic, due to its impacts on adult mortality rates and surviving children.
COVID-19 and child labour: A time of crisis, a time to act
International Labour Organization (ILO) & UNICEF
With the COVID-19 pandemic, we face the risk of reverting years of progress. We may see an increase in child labour for the first time in 20 years. This is why ILO and UNICEF decided to look into the ways the crisis is affecting child labour.
Youth and COVID-19: Response, recovery and resilience
OECD
Based on survey findings from 90 youth organisations from 48 countries, this policy brief outlines practical measures governments can take to design inclusive and fair recovery measures for young people. To avoid exacerbating intergenerational inequalities and to involve young people in building societal resilience, governments need to anticipate the impact of mitigation and recovery measures across different age groups, by applying effective governance mechanisms.
The Impact of COVID-19 on children (April 2020)
United Nations
This policy briefs identifies three main channels through which children are affected by the crisis: infection with the virus itself; the immediate socioeconomic impacts of measures to end the pandemic; the potential longer-term effects of delayed implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. It highlights how children may be victims of increased levels of poverty, an exacerbation of the learning crisis through schools’ closure (including the digital divide), and threats to child survival, health, and safety. The brief also identifies a series of immediate and sustained actions for governments and policymakers.
Response, recovery and prevention in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in developing countries: Women and girls on the frontlines
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
This policy brief focuses on how to ensure that a gender lens is well-integrated through response, recovery and prevention efforts to COVID-19 in development co-operation.
European Youth Event 2020: two online debates on employment and social rights in the Covid-19 crisis
European Commission Directorate-General (DG) Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Online panel discussion on 'What labour market perspectives for young people after COVID-19?" focusing on how the current crisis is affecting the situation of young people in the labour market and how it can be used to better prepare and upskill young people for recovery.
Special Issue on COVID-19 and Youth
United Nations
Analytical summary on young people and social exlcusion caused by the COVID-19. The report summarizes the the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on young people, including and exploration of policy responses and youth-based responses.
A stronger social Europe powered by inclusive cities
Euro Cities
Study analysing opportunities and challenges for an inclusive and sustainable recovery plan in the EU, with a particular focus on the role of European cities.
Vulnerable Young People: covid-19 Response
National Youth Agency (UK)
Study analysing the condition of vulnerable youth with emerging needs triggered or caused by COVID-19, including an assessment of the role of youth work in the United Kingdom and policy recommendation for an exit strategy.
What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrants and their children?
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD 2020c)
This policy brief provides evidence on how the pandemic has affected immigrants and their children in terms of health, jobs, education, language training and other integrations measures, and public opinion, and describes host countries' policy responses.
Power and Social Control of Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Leisure Sciences: An Interdisciplinary Journal (Myra Gayle Gabriel, Aisha Brown, Maria León and Corliss Outley)
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed multiple injustices and forms of oppression experienced by the most vulnerable in our country, which includes young people experiencing poverty, incarceration, foster care, homelessness, and those with marginalized identities. This article will discuss the role of power and social control in the lives of youth during the COVID-19 pandemic and present strategies leisure researchers and practitioners can adopt to overcome the loss of critical support structures and mitigate exponential effects of COVID-19 on our most vulnerable youth.
Being young in the COVID-19 pandemic
Eurofound
Moderated by Jennifer O’Connell of the Irish Times and against the background of Eurofound’s new report Living, working and COVID-19, speakers Maria Walsh, MEP, Evin Incir, MEP, Massimiliano Mascherini, Head of Social Policies at Eurofound and Ian Power, CEO of Spunout, Ireland’s youth information website, explored what policy makers can do in Ireland, Sweden and across Europe to address the challenges of young people in the wake of the pandemic.
Responding to COVID-19 and Recovering Better: A Compilation by UN DESA
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
This is a compilation volume of UN DESA’s special policy brief series on the economic and social impact of COVID-19, which aims to complement and support the Secretary-General’s initiatives in response to COVID-19. It presents detailed analysis and solid evidence needed for effective decision-making on a number of critical social and economic issues – including designing inclusive stimulus packages; preventing a global debt crisis; supporting countries in special situations; protecting the most vulnerable groups of people; strengthening the role of science, technology and institutions for an effective response; and working together to build back better and achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
