To what extent can solidarity be a guiding principle for youth in times of crisis in Europe? In view of increasing security risks due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, rising inflation and the energy and climate crisis, the future prospects for the young generation are uncertain. European values and democracy are under more pressure than ever. Against this backdrop, the idea of solidarity and active civil society plays a central role, perhaps more than ever. Young people are the future of Europe. In order to further develop the European project, they must see prospects in a democratic, social Europe in solidarity.
Against this background, the article examines the question of what young people understand by solidarity and what significance this has for youth policy and youth work in Europe. Particular attention is paid to the formats that young people choose to engage with the society in which they live. The author presents the results of the latest scientific study. In this way, the convictions and ideas with which young people are committed to solidarity in Europe and the places and ways in which they choose to get involved become clear. The article also addresses the enormous challenges that young people face in making their ideas for the Europe of tomorrow heard.
Finally, we will work out the framework conditions necessary to enable the young generation in a crisis-ridden Europe recognise and use solidarity as a valuable guiding principle for shaping their future.
Eva Feldmann-Wojtachnia, Research Group Youth and Europe at the Center for Applied Policy research CAP of the Ludwig- Maximilians-University of Munich, member of the RAY network and research partner of the German national agency responsible for the evaluation of E+YiA and European Solidarity Corps in cooperation with IKAB e.V. since 2009.
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