Think-tank wins EU backing for youth participation project

Independent Academic Research Studies (IARS) won the funding – equivalent to £39,000 – from the European Union (EU) to support its Erasmus+ project, which helps young people across Europe influence public policy.

The majority of the funding will be targeted at marginalised 12- to 30-year-olds living in the UK, identified by youth charities, youth offending teams and colleges, who are struggling to access education, training and employment.

IARS will use the funding to help disadvantaged young people have a voice on policy, as part of efforts to ensure youth issues are heard by politicians and decision makers.

As part of this, the think-tank will create volunteering and training opportunities for young people in political institutions at local, national and European levels.

The aim of the project is to develop a cross-Europe approach to youth-led activities, creating equal education, training and employment opportunities for all young people.

Dr Theo Gavrielides, director of IARS, said: “In the UK, we have much to learn about working in partnership with others and indeed accept that our young people are part of a wider EU family founded upon the values of democracy and equality.

“I am calling on all youth-focused organisations to join us and our young people in bringing change from the bottom up.”

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion, who in May said that democracy would be “revitalised” if the voting age were to be lowered to 16, has welcomed the funding.

She said: “I have seen this work first hand, and it is a real inspiration to see young people at the heart of policy and campaigning.

“In today’s society where youth unemployment is high, student loans are being sold off, and funding is being cut to colleges, it is more important than ever that young people have organisations like IARS helping get their voice heard.”