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Today [24 April] the European Commission is organising the second Annual Convention on Inclusive Growth, which brings together civil society organisations and policy-makers from 35 countries, as well as representatives from the European Union institutions and from other international organisations. This year, the Convention puts the issue of the social inclusion of young people under the spotlight. Indeed, while the employment and social situation of the European Union has been gradually improving since the end of the crisis, many young Europeans still struggle with social exclusion and poverty.

Therefore, I take the opportunity to briefly showcase our case studies on investment in children and young people.

The first case is the youth programmes of SOS Children’s Villages Latvia (member of SOS Children’s Villages International) that were introduced to respond to a situation where young people leaving care were not prepared or supported enough to lead an independent life. A study carried out in Latvia in 2014 showed that a substantial number of young people who have left care neither work nor study, they often do not have sufficient income, which can lead to poverty and social exclusion, and some experience anxiety, insecurity, and depression. Starting from the age of 15, young people receive support with the objective of acquiring the necessary skills for daily life, including education, social skills, career planning and independent living. Step by step, they learn how to live more independently. These services are provided in foster families or in SOS Children’s Villages’ youth facilities, depending on the needs of each individual. In the next phase, young people have the possibility to live semi-independently in apartments that are provided by municipalities.

Through an integrated approach that connects different sectors such as education, employment,
housing, health and wellbeing, the youth programmes aim to ensure that young people leaving care are well prepared for their future independent life. Youth participation and individual development plans covering all aspects of transition to independent living are core elements of the services offered. As a result of this work, a more robust legislative and policy framework has been developed in Latvia in
recent years. SOS Children’s Villages is also running similar programmes in other countries.

The second case I’d like to talk about is the project “Partnerships for Participation” which took place in nine local communities in Finland, Latvia, Germany, Spain, Cameroon, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Indonesia. It was managed by the International Falcon Movement-Socialist Educational International (IFM-SEI), which is a member of the European Youth Forum. This project aimed to increase young people’s participation in the democratic life of local communities, through the building of genuine and sustainable partnerships between young people, schools and local authorities. The participants of the local groups were aged between 13 and 18 years old and many were from a disadvantaged economic background. The main feature of the project was of course its focus on the promotion of children’s right to participate. Thanks to the project, nine local partnership projects between youth organisations and local communities have been set up, and hundreds of young people in the world have been empowered to engage in local decision-making. They have improved their self-confidence, their knowledge about political participation, and practical skills such as team work, communication, training and research. The project also had an added value for local authorities themselves by raising decision-makers’ awareness of the benefits of youth participation, and encouraging them to ensure this principle is properly implemented.

The third and last case is about the reform of the child protection system in Romania achieved by Hope and Homes for Children, member of Eurochild. This reform has been based on taking children out of institutional care and providing services that aim to prevent children from being separated from their families.

I would like to conclude by recalling the words of European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen: “Investment in children and young people is important to break the inter-generational transmission of disadvantage and to ensure that children and young people have the opportunity to fully develop their potential. The investments we make today in children and young people create opportunity, promote social mobility and foster a vibrant, healthy and inclusive society and economy.”