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The Regenerating Individual Transitions through Ecology (RITE) project is an initiative aimed at addressing key challenges faced by young people across Europe. It focuses on youth inclusion, mental well-being, sustainable development, and social engagement. By integrating an ecological and holistic approach, RITE seeks to create innovative solutions that help young people transition smoothly into society and employment while promoting environmental responsibility.
To ensure that our project tackles genuine challenges, we conducted an initial survey with 10 youth workers from each partner organization. This internal analysis helped us identify the most pressing problems affecting young people in different regions and shaped the foundation of RITE’s interventions.
Our survey explored the following themes:
What are the biggest challenges young people face in your region?
How do economic factors like cost of living and unemployment affect youth engagement?
Have you observed increasing mental health concerns, such as climate anxiety or disengagement?
What are the main barriers to education and employment?
How effective are current youth programs and institutional support systems?
What solutions do you think would work best for your local context?
Based on the responses, several common and region-specific challenges were identified.
The data collected helped us highlight the most significant issues young people are facing today. Below are the key findings from different regions:
In Magenta, rising costs of living have expanded the margins of poverty and exclusion, leading to a significant increase in school dropouts. Many young people struggle to continue their education due to financial constraints, leading to a lack of career prospects and long-term instability.
In rural and suburban areas of Tallinn and Tartu counties, young men are increasingly disengaged from society. This is linked to growing mental health issues, feelings of isolation, and higher risks of substance abuse.
Youth in Silesia experience a combination of climate anxiety, international insecurity, and socio-political instability. This has led to increased youth disengagement, disaffection, and a growing risk of extremism in certain areas.
In Thessaly, Roma and Sinti communities face high unemployment, poverty, and a significant risk of entering informal and illegal economies. This places them in a cycle of marginalization, making it difficult to access education and stable employment.
In Maracena, young people suffer from a lack of self-development and employment opportunities. Many opt to emigrate, while those who stay often end up in low-skilled, unstable jobs.
The findings from our survey highlighted the urgent need for interventions that address both local and shared challenges. The RITE project is a direct response to the real issues faced by young people today. By using data from our internal survey, we have ensured that the project is not only well-informed but also practical, sustainable, and adaptable to different regional needs.
This is just the beginning! As we move forward with the RITE project, we will continue to explore new ways to support youth inclusion and community empowerment. Stay tuned for updates and insights.
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