Youth Social Exclusion and Lessons from Youth Work: Evidence from literature and surveys

It is widely recognised that social exclusion produces deep and long-term damage to the living conditions, social and economic participation, emotional life, and health status of young people. It also contributes to the intergenerational transmission of poverty. In turn, insecurity in living standards, political and social isolation, feelings of estrangement and unhealthy lifestyles aggravate pre-existing conditions of social exclusion. This results in a vicious circle where socially excluded young people are in even more danger of suffering from additional material deprivation, social and emotional marginalisation, and health issues, which in turn expose them to more serious risks of exclusion. Almost one out of three young persons between the ages of 18 and 24 is at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the European Union. Youth work can offer opportunities for preventing and remedying this vicious circle. By offering young people targeted support, opportunities for non-formal learning, information on health and wellbeing, and opportunities for positive integration into the local community, youth workers are able to reduce the risks of further social exclusion linked to deteriorating living conditions and unhealthy life styles. The EU Youth Strategy recognises the relevance of youth work to mitigating the effects of social exclusion amongst young people. Reaffirming this concept, the Council Resolution on Youth Work of 2010 invited Member States and the Commission to support the development of youth work at local, regional, national and European level. The relation between youth work and social inclusion also touches upon the priorities established by the 2012 EU Youth Report. A general overview of the fundamental threats to social inclusion experienced by young people can be found in the dedicated chapter of the Youth Report. The benefits coming from youth work to the inclusion of young people, and in particular of those with a migrant background, has been recognised in the Conclusions of the Council of 27 November 2012. To address the risks of exclusion run by many young individuals, the Social Investment Package adopted by the European Commission seeks to improve the situation of young people by tackling childhood disadvantage, improving access to quality education and support services, helping young people develop skills relevant to the labour market, and ensuring work experience and on-the-job training and helping young people find a first good job (European Commission, 2013a). This paper aims at offering evidence about the situation of social exclusion suffered by young people in the European Union, and the positive effects that youth work initiatives produce in fostering their (re)inclusion. Looking at factual information on the main conditions of exclusion is essential to have an accurate understanding of the threats encountered by young people. Available data and research literature illustrate the major reasons behind the marginalisation of young Europeans, and pave the way to the development of effective policy strategies to prevent it.