“This is the most educated generation in history”, this way began a speech by the coordinator of the workshop “Attracting and retaining youth in the EU’s regions and cities”, Andrew Paterson, Senior Counsellor at OECD, during the European Week of Cities and Regions 2022. “We already know that young people care about sustainability, enjoy food, culture, and physical activity, care about technology, and want to stay connected wherever they are”, he continued.
But how do we attract them and keep them in the regions and cities? Mrs Blandine Camus, Communication and Policy Officer at Euromontana, and Mrs Kelly Schwarz, Project Lead on Clean Cities at Generation Climate Europe (GCE) discussed how to attract people back to the mountains and to the cities.
Euromontana launched a survey last June, in 12 different languages, which was answered by 1000 people and their findings are pretty insightful. Out of 1000 respondents, 66% of them would stay on the mountain, while 29% would leave for some time, but would like to return. The research also dealt with the services most enjoyed by young people in the mountains. For example, 75% of respondents answered that they need good access to the internet and health services, while 52% of young people want to have a good transportation network, and 35% of them want access to educational services. According to the survey, to attract youth back to the mountains, societies must not only create infrastructures for a sustainable lifestyle and activities for social, and cultural engagement but also take action against climate change.
On the other hand, Clean cities are perhaps the most important issue that every city should take into account, as well as including the different audiences of young people, stated Kelly Schwarz, Project Lead on Clean Cities, Generation Climate Europe (GCE).
According to the presentation by Mrs Schwarz, for young people in the city, it is important to have a good transportation system, green spaces, safe urban environments, and access to education, health, services, and walking routes.
If cities would like to attract young people back, investments should be made in safe, accessible, and affordable transport, but also in infrastructure for both pedestrians and cyclists. Furthermore, young people should be involved in city planning. Last but not least, Kelly Schwarz pointed out that even the cultural side of the city can attract the youth and for that, a city should have cultural spaces, and organize festivals and events.
Ways to engage more youth in the community and Paris initiatives
Lucie Durocher, Acting Head at Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur EU Office informed us about the opportunities that exist for young people and how they will take advantage of them. In other words, to make use of all young people's skills, but also to integrate everyone into a working environment, opportunities must be provided through the school. In addition, Ms Durocher pointed out that we must support the youth’s engagement in Youth entrepreneurship by giving the necessary information, in a way to create interest in the regions where the skills are lacking.
"For the municipality, it is important to develop public policies, to take care of its populations, to respond to their difficulties, to give them opportunities and to accompany them towards autonomy", Thomas Rogé, Chef du Service des Politiques de Jeunesse at Ville de Paris.
Paris uses two main innovations to cover young people’s needs. The first one is Jeunes Paris, a historical building of the 19th century. The most important thing in this building is that there are professionals who can help young people find work, through job dating with companies. The second one is L’academie du Climat, which was launched 11 years ago, as an academy dedicated to climate. It is a place that provides information and various workshops, with themes such as short kitchens and DIY, education, and gardening.
Mr Rogé finished his presentation with these words "These buildings are very nice, very classy, historical buildings, but they're free. We can do anything we want with it. So, use it”.
In conclusion, young people have tremendous skills, they are young workers, and researchers, and they love sustainability, physical activity, and food. To attract them, it is important to create green spaces, but also to have access to the services and opportunities they need.
By Evangelia Perganti
Edited by Irene Barahona
