The Participatory Development of the Styrian Youth Strategy With an Action Plan
Abstract
The Styrian Youth Strategy was developed through a participatory and evidence-based process to provide a strategic framework for improving the living conditions of young people in Styria, Austria. Recognising youth as a cross-cutting policy area, and in alignment with the Austrian Youth Strategy and the European Youth Goals, the project combined qualitative and quantitative methods between 2022 and 2023. These methods included semi-structured interviews with adolescents (n = 15) and youth sector professionals (n = 16), an online survey of professionals (n = 60) and five workshops involving professionals, young people and administrative leaders. Aims for ten thematic fields were formulated, accompanied by an action plan. Of the ten areas identified, seven are described briefly while three are explored in depth: participation and political education (embedding youth voice, co-decision, and civic engagement); health promotion and prevention (integrating behavioural and structural determinants, with a focus on mental health, risk-informed behaviour, and coordinated services); and diverse education and information (promoting equity across formal, non-formal, and informal learning; encouraging multi- professional cooperation; and providing guidance for educational and career pathways). The strategy was accepted by the Styrian Provincial Parliament and incorporated into the Styrian Youth Act, influencing funding cultures and administrative practice. Limitations include the challenge of adequately representing a heterogeneous youth population within finite resources. Ongoing evaluation, inclusive participation formats and international exchange are recommended. This process shows how participatory governance, intersectoral coordination and data-informed planning can transform criticism into constructive institutional development and consensus-based implementation.
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References
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