The COPE project, of which SHINE 2Europe is a partner, has just launched a new publication that analyzes interventions aimed at young people aged between 15 and 29 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) in Europe. Despite some regional improvements, this reality remains a persistent challenge.
The publication, by authors Maria João Marques, Regina Alves, Sónia Dias, Emanuele Torri, Anita Paza, Carina Dantas and Marcello Bertotti, is based on a critical realist approach and synthesizes 13 reviews covering 811 studies, with the aim of supporting future interventions. The research identifies contextual factors and mechanisms that influence the effectiveness of the measures adopted, as well as gaps in current policies and practices.
One of the main findings points to the lack of attention to non-cognitive skills and the active role of young people in the processes of change. The most effective interventions are those that respond to individual needs, recognizing that some require intensive and prolonged support. Multicomponent strategies, which combine different forms of support, have proved particularly successful in dealing with the complexity of the situations experienced by this population.
For SHINE 2Europe, these findings reinforce the importance of personalized and integrated approaches, in line with its commitment to promoting inclusive communities. SHINE believes that only by actively listening to young people and investing in flexible and sustainable solutions will it be possible to break the cycle of exclusion.
The full article can be read here.