Young people as drivers of sustainable development in Europe

This research proposal aims to meet the specific challenges brought up in the HORIZON2020-call "YOUNG-4-2015: Young people as driver of social change" by investigating how the attitudes and everyday practices of young people in Europe could best enhance s ocially and economically sustainable development in European societies. The main emphasis is in the challenges related to changes in consumption and lifestyles, social inclusion and exclusion, social innovations for more sustainable societies, and interge nerational and international co-operation in sustainable development. We will focus on young adults of different ages and sexes, coming from different geographical, socio-economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds, taking into account both individuals and young families. In the data collection, young people and young adult themselves will have an important role as producers of information. First the changes in cultural values and attitudes will be surveyed in different countries. Moreover, we will also investigate daily practices of young people, and search for existing and new social innovations. We will also organize future assessing workshops for young people. The expected impact of our research is to better understand different factors influencing the perspectives of young people on challenges related to sustainable development, as well as to find right ways of communicating with the young and there by enhance their engagement in public administrations' activities and decision-making processes. O ur proposal for a research project is based on and derives ideas from two previous proposals for the EU:s FP7 calls: INYOUTH (Inclusive innovations in consumer societies. Reducing socio-economic inequality and enhancing consumer competences among childre n and young people in Europe) and SIMWEST: (Social Innovations in the Modern Welfare States).