Periodic Reporting for period 2 - YOUCOUNT (YOUCOUNT - EMPOWERING YOUTH AND COCREATING SOCIAL INNOVATIONS AND POLICYMAKING THROUGH YOUTH-FOCUSED CITIZEN SOCIAL SCIENCE)
Período documentado: 2022-08-01 hasta 2024-01-31
In Europe, and globally, substantial numbers of young people are at risk of social exclusion, and there is therefore a pressing need to develop more knowledge and innovation to create more inclusive and youth-friendly societies. Citizen social science, where the public takes part in social science research and innovation activities, may contribute to these needs. However, citizen science is a relatively new approach in the social sciences and there is uncertainty of the actual outcomes of citizen social science and what it can achieve.
The overall objective of the YouCount project is therefore to generate new knowledge and innovations to increase the social inclusion of youth across Europe through co-creative youth citizen social science.
The project includes the following sub-objectives: First, to develop a conceptual and methodological framework for youth citizen social science together with key experts and stakeholders from local to European and international settings. Then, to try out and refine this framework through a multiple case study consisting of ten local projects in nine countries across Europe where young people participate as co- researchers (“young citizen scientists”) and co-create social innovations to increase social inclusion. A third objective is to evaluate the outcomes and impact of the project activities and then assess the costs and benefits of youth citizen social science. Finally, the project will maximise social and scientific impact by sharing findings to a broad audience and through collaboration with other citizen science projects and initiatives.
The overall objective of the YouCount project is therefore to generate new knowledge and innovations to increase the social inclusion of youth across Europe through co-creative youth citizen social science.
The project includes the following sub-objectives: First, to develop a conceptual and methodological framework for youth citizen social science together with key experts and stakeholders from local to European and international settings. Then, to try out and refine this framework through a multiple case study consisting of ten local projects in nine countries across Europe where young people participate as co- researchers (“young citizen scientists”) and co-create social innovations to increase social inclusion. A third objective is to evaluate the outcomes and impact of the project activities and then assess the costs and benefits of youth citizen social science. Finally, the project will maximise social and scientific impact by sharing findings to a broad audience and through collaboration with other citizen science projects and initiatives.
During the first year, the project started to develop the framework for youth citizen social science through literature reviews, research exchange and discussions with youths and stakeholders from local to international level. We also organised three webinars together with the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA), Working Group on Empowerment, Inclusion and Equity (WG EIE).
Further, during the first and second years, the project successfully set up and carried out the multiple case study involving ten local projects. These projects looked at different aspects of social inclusion: how young people take part in society (like finding jobs), feeling like they belong, and being involved in their community and country. We got young people from both the local community and universities involved as young citizen scientists, teaching them about citizen social science. They gathered information about social inclusion using various methods, like interviews, doing creative activities, surveys, and using a special app called the YouCount App. Then, they used this information in the local living labs to co-create new ideas and policies to have a positive impact in their communities, which they shared with local and national leaders. The first findings were shared as open data in the summer of 2022.
At the same time, a team was evaluating the project by closely following the ten cases and talking to the young people involved, using different research tools like self-reports, interviews, and surveys. They also created a way to measure how much of an impact the project had on the individual youths, society and science.
Starting in the spring of 2023, the project group analysed all the different cases to see what we learned about doing this type of research with young people, young peoples' views on and experiences with social inclusion in their daily life and how social innovation can contribute to a more inclusive society. The findings are published in several reports. In the last year, we also hold a last joint webinar and a final conference where young people and community members talked about their experiences in the project. Throughout, we have worked hard to share research activities and experiences through different communication channels.
The project has shared its findings in many ways, like reports, blog posts, and two short papers, called policy-briefs, for policymakers. We also made a handbook and toolkit called "Handbook of Youth Citizen Social Science: Working with Young People and the Local Community for Social Change" in 2024. One of the policy-briefs, from 2021, talks about the importance of citizen social science and needs for future support in policy and research. The other, from 2024, shares key learning about social inclusion and how citizen social science with young people can be used to create a more inclusive society. The exploitation plan will also make sure the results keep making a difference even after the project ends, both locally and globally.
Further, during the first and second years, the project successfully set up and carried out the multiple case study involving ten local projects. These projects looked at different aspects of social inclusion: how young people take part in society (like finding jobs), feeling like they belong, and being involved in their community and country. We got young people from both the local community and universities involved as young citizen scientists, teaching them about citizen social science. They gathered information about social inclusion using various methods, like interviews, doing creative activities, surveys, and using a special app called the YouCount App. Then, they used this information in the local living labs to co-create new ideas and policies to have a positive impact in their communities, which they shared with local and national leaders. The first findings were shared as open data in the summer of 2022.
At the same time, a team was evaluating the project by closely following the ten cases and talking to the young people involved, using different research tools like self-reports, interviews, and surveys. They also created a way to measure how much of an impact the project had on the individual youths, society and science.
Starting in the spring of 2023, the project group analysed all the different cases to see what we learned about doing this type of research with young people, young peoples' views on and experiences with social inclusion in their daily life and how social innovation can contribute to a more inclusive society. The findings are published in several reports. In the last year, we also hold a last joint webinar and a final conference where young people and community members talked about their experiences in the project. Throughout, we have worked hard to share research activities and experiences through different communication channels.
The project has shared its findings in many ways, like reports, blog posts, and two short papers, called policy-briefs, for policymakers. We also made a handbook and toolkit called "Handbook of Youth Citizen Social Science: Working with Young People and the Local Community for Social Change" in 2024. One of the policy-briefs, from 2021, talks about the importance of citizen social science and needs for future support in policy and research. The other, from 2024, shares key learning about social inclusion and how citizen social science with young people can be used to create a more inclusive society. The exploitation plan will also make sure the results keep making a difference even after the project ends, both locally and globally.
So far, the YouCount project has created scientific impact through increased capacity for citizen- involved research in the social sciences and made progress in the field of citizen science by contributing a conceptual and methodological framework for co- creative youth citizen social science. These developments include new tools for data collection and social innovation, evaluation and impact assessments, as well as approaches to boost engagement of young people in social science research and policymaking. The project has continuously disseminated its findings, contributing to Open Science.
The project has also increased knowledge of social inclusion and possible innovations by involving young people as citizen scientists and through collaborative work with the local community. The scientific results are presented in several publications and presentations. Additionally, new research opportunities, funding opportunities, and collaborations have emerged, indicating the project's relevance beyond its partners.
Further, the project has contributed to more knowledge of the processes and outcomes of citizen social science through evaluation data. YouCount has also supported Responsible Research and Innovation and contributed to strengthen the science-society relationship, by engaging young people, stakeholders, and the scientific community in research and innovation. The project has developed new methods for interaction, communication, and science education, demonstrating advancements in science communication and education. Dissemination efforts have reached over 6,000 people, exceeding expectations.
In addition, the project has shown impact in the socioecological and economic dimensions. Participants have gained knowledge, skills, and competences and the project has fostered supportive networks, increased participation opportunities, and enhanced individual empowerment and social outcomes for many of the young participants. It has also contributed to the creation of inclusive societies for youth through improved youth employability, gender-specific knowledge generation, and innovations supporting decent work.
Yet, while youth citizen social science holds a great potential for knowledge generation and innovation, the co- creative nature also creates scientific challenges concerning data collection, theoretical analyses, and scientific publications. These potentials and challenges should be addressed in future development of citizen science and research funding organisations.
The project has also increased knowledge of social inclusion and possible innovations by involving young people as citizen scientists and through collaborative work with the local community. The scientific results are presented in several publications and presentations. Additionally, new research opportunities, funding opportunities, and collaborations have emerged, indicating the project's relevance beyond its partners.
Further, the project has contributed to more knowledge of the processes and outcomes of citizen social science through evaluation data. YouCount has also supported Responsible Research and Innovation and contributed to strengthen the science-society relationship, by engaging young people, stakeholders, and the scientific community in research and innovation. The project has developed new methods for interaction, communication, and science education, demonstrating advancements in science communication and education. Dissemination efforts have reached over 6,000 people, exceeding expectations.
In addition, the project has shown impact in the socioecological and economic dimensions. Participants have gained knowledge, skills, and competences and the project has fostered supportive networks, increased participation opportunities, and enhanced individual empowerment and social outcomes for many of the young participants. It has also contributed to the creation of inclusive societies for youth through improved youth employability, gender-specific knowledge generation, and innovations supporting decent work.
Yet, while youth citizen social science holds a great potential for knowledge generation and innovation, the co- creative nature also creates scientific challenges concerning data collection, theoretical analyses, and scientific publications. These potentials and challenges should be addressed in future development of citizen science and research funding organisations.