The GLA Civil Society and Sport Unit Youth Team have commissioned London Metropolitan University Centre for Applied Research in Empowering Society (CARES) team to undertake research into the challenges that young Londoners face, to help shape the GLA’s holistic approach to empowering the voice of young Londoners.
The project involves reviewing evidence gathered by the GLA to map out the ecosystem and interactions that underpin youth social action in London, as well as participatory research with active participation from members of London’s youth community.
You can view the interactive map here - GLA Youth Social Action
Link to the map ---> https://kumu.io/LondonMet-CARES/gla-youth-social-action#ysa-map-1
The presentation supporting the map, presenting the research approach and findings and providing a guide for using the map: https://londonmet-cares.kumu.io/youth-social-action-systems-map
Access the 'Understanding Youth Social Action' report pdf at the bottom of this page.
The report Understanding Youth Social Action offers a detailed exploration of London’s Youth Ecosystem. The research underpinning the report was conducted by the Centre for Applied Research in Empowering Society (CARES) at London Metropolitan University and was commissioned by the Greater London Authority, Co-created with young Londoners, the research employed a participatory learning action (PLA) approach that involved focus groups, arts-based activities, Vox-Pop, and podcasting with young people. Additionally, the research used a wide range of documentary evidence to better understand young people's participation in social action. The analysis was framed by the socio-ecological and COM-B analytical models, prioritising youth voice, and understanding young people's lived experiences within their broader eco-system.
Key findings highlight the importance of young people's epistemic privilege, their voice, trust, agency, social justice, and belonging in enabling meaningful youth social action. Barriers such as financial limitations, exclusion, and underrepresentation are identified, while facilitators include inclusive practices, youth-led co-production, and community engagement. This work is significant for policymakers and programme developers, providing actionable insights to improve youth initiatives. An interactive London Youth System Map , visualises the complex interactions determining youth participation in social action across the city.
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