Youth and Community Empowerment in Europe: International Perspectives

Description

The current economic crisis with its gloomy implications for lost generations leaves many disadvantaged young people with ever-diminishing opportunities. The Youth Empowerment Partnership Programme (YEPP) is a fully evaluated on-going international programme focused on disadvantaged areas in eight European countries. It aims to empower young people and the communities in which they live by making them central to new decisionmaking processes involving partnerships between public, private and independent sectors. This book provides the theoretical context for the programme, gives a full account of the process and outcomes of over 10 years of joint effort in its unique development and research process and reflects on the lessons learnt for future policy. It will appeal to practitioners, researchers, policy-makers and decision-makers in foundations.

Peter Evans is a consultant in special education. Formerly, he was a senior analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Centre for Educational Research and Innovation where he initiated the project `Promoting Partnerships for Inclusion' in support of the initiation, development and evaluation of YEPP. Angelika Kruger is Vice President of the International Academy for Innovative Pedagogy, Psychology and Economy at the Free University of Berlin and Director of the Institute for Community Education. She was the Director of YEPP from its inception in 2001 till its conclusion in 2012. She is now the Chair of the Board of the YEPP International Resource Centre and consultant to the YEPP IRC Team.

"Policymakers, researchers and programme coordinators will find it enjoyable, inspirational and enlightening." SRA Research Matters Magazine "An exceptional example of both the power of the community and importance of donor harmonization in addressing pressing social issues. A must read for advocates, policy planners and program developers." Dr Phyllis Magrab, Professor of Pediatrics and UNESCO Chair, Georgetown University "This well-written record of a highly innovative programme in Europe will be of lasting value to community and youth development policy-makers, practitioners and researchers. YEPP is a ground-breaking model for social inclusion and participation." Paul Henderson, community development consultant and trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust