The Youth Wiki Network: Expanding its Horizons

Since its set-up in 2015 Youth Wiki has served as an information-sharing hub, providing comprehensive insights into national policies and programs impacting young people. In its continual effort to broaden its utility and accessibility, Youth Wiki has extended its services through two exciting initiatives: first with the its Interactive Maps and lately with an analytical papers. These additions mark a significant step forward in enabling policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to better understand and address the needs of Europe’s youth.

Interactive Maps: A Visual Gateway to Youth Policies

Youth Wiki’s l interactive maps illustrate key policies and programs for young people across Europe. These maps, developed from the detailed data available in the platform’s country pages, serve as an intuitive tool for exploring comparative trends across participating nations. Users can select indicators and specific years from the menu, then click on any country to access a detailed description of its youth-focused policies and initiatives. This innovative feature promotes transparency and facilitates cross-national learning, making it easier for stakeholders to identify best practices and gaps.

Currently, these maps focus on six core themes vital to youth development: Voluntary Activities, Education and Training, Participation, Youth Work, Social Inclusion, and Employment and Entrepreneurship. Whether a policymaker in seeking inspiration from another country’s initiatives or a researcher in examining  youth trends in different contexts, these maps offer a wealth of actionable insights.

Each map is accompanied by short comparative reviews, shedding light on overarching trends and variations among countries. This dual-layered approach—visual summaries paired with detailed analyses—ensures that users gain both a macro and micro understanding of youth-related policies.

Analytical Papers: Deep Dives into Critical Issues

In June 2024, Youth Wiki ventured into publishing with the release of its first analytical paper: Youth Mainstreaming, Youth Impact Assessment, and Youth Checks. This report delves into youth mainstreaming practices in 33 European countries, with a particular focus on youth regulatory impact assessment (RIA) instruments in Belgium (Flemish Community), Germany, France, and Austria.

The paper draws on qualitative data collected by national correspondents of the Youth Wiki network in March 2023, alongside interviews with public administration representatives and secondary research. Its findings underscore the importance of structured assessment tools in addressing youth priorities effectively. The participation of 26 EU Member States and seven non-EU countries underscores the paper’s comprehensive scope.

Looking ahead, Youth Wiki has announced that its next paper will focus on Housing, a pressing issue for young people across Europe. This continuation of in-depth analyses reflects the platform’s commitment to addressing the evolving challenges faced by young people.

For more information on the Youth Wiki Platform log on to: https://national-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu/youthwiki