New approach to study of youth well-being promises major benefits
Across Europe, at present, policy development and decisions related to CYP well-being rely on unsuitable data. The gap in evaluation presents a policy challenge, which the project MYWEB (Measuring youth well-being) has worked to address and help overcome. The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) Coordinating Support Action brought together 14 beneficiary organisations from 11 countries. A pilot study involving six countries and original empirical data on field experiences offers direct evidence of the feasibility of an ELSCYP. The project engaged a wide range of stakeholders at EU, Member State and regional levels, ensuring that outcomes apply to the broadest set of related policy fields. MYWEB also included CYP in the project plan to ensure better understanding of the concept of well-being as understood by CYP, and gain insights into optimal approaches to conducting an ELSCYP. For example, to account for changing perceptions of well-being as children grow up into young people, an ELSCYPWB should have a developmental approach. Other project work involved research on measuring relevant key concepts and assessing the methodological robustness of current research on CYP. MYWEB conducted surveys, interviews and focus groups, and set up an Advisory Group in each partner country to help in developing research instruments and with fieldwork processes. Policy impact workshops were held in 6 European countries, bringing together 51 experts and 51 young people (aged 12 to 24). Challenges still to be overcome include practical considerations related to undertaking such a survey in more than one country. However, MYWEB has shown that further developing and advancing the ELSCYPWB is desirable, feasible, and promises major (money saving) benefits for policymakers. Looking ahead, future dissemination activities target gathering feedback from stakeholders, stimulating discussion among them and enabling their collaboration. Ongoing efforts aim to strengthen future studies and the knowledge base, both for research on CYP well-being and for related policy development.
Keywords
Youth well-being, longitudinal study, children and young people, policy development, MYWEB
