On May 16th 2018, YouthProAktiv attend the “Launch of the Youth Progress Index” organised by European Youth Forum and hosted by Mr. Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament.

At this event, the Youth Progress Index and the first findings of joint analysis by the partners leading on this project were presented by Ms. Petra Krylova, Senior Analyst at the Social Progress Imperative. The presentation was followed by first reactions to the Index and an open discussion with panelist on how to use indexes such as the Youth Progress Index for evidence-based policy making, to promote sustainable development, and to mainstream youth as a cross-sectorial priority across EU policy sectors.

Ms. Petra Krylova explained that The Youth Progress Index is on of the first ever instruments for measuring the quality of life of young people independently of economic indicators. As such, the framework makes a significant contribution to the policy debate on measuring performance of societies related to youth matters, and defining progress beyond economic achievements.

The Youth Progress Index framework is structured around 3 “dimensions”, (Basic human needs, Foundations of Wellbeing and Opportunity), 12 “components”, and 60 distinct indicators. It indexes 102 countries fully, and a further 52 countries partially, as she explained.

In her opinion, the framework should be seen as an initial effort to contribute to measuring the quality of life of youth, despite limited data availability. It can be used as a mapping dashboard of public expenditures, civil society engagement and private sector investment, and is equipped to monitor progress and evaluate success of policy investment over time. She highlighted that the YPI (Youth Progress Index) offers a framework with potential to support in measuring progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs for the youth subgroup, from measuring levels of poverty, access to clean water and air, access to healthcare, employment inequality and the strength and relevance of democratic institutions.

In the framework of the discussion, Floor Van Houdt of European Commission, DG EAC, Head of Youth Unit, explained the Youth Wiki which is Europe’s online encyclopedia in the area of national youth policies. The main objective of the Youth Wiki is to support evidence-based European cooperation in the area of youth by providing up-to-date and user-friendly information on national policies supporting young people, following the adoption of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field. The Youth Wiki collects qualitative information on youth policies across Europe, provided an annually updated by National Correspondents, allowing the analysis of reforms and trends in policy orientations in the participating countries.

We are  now ready for a new youth era in Europe!