Projects
RAY research activities draw on an interdisciplinary approach, rooted in particular in educational science, political science, and sociology. Informed by recent and relevant discourses in these disciplines, RAY research activities apply diverse social and educational research methods – usually in a mixed-method combination of quantitative and qualitative research instruments. Among our core methods are multilingual online surveys of project participants, project leaders, and key staff of beneficiary organisations; case studies of projects, organisations, and networks; and interviews and focus groups with different actors and stakeholders involved in the European youth programmes.
The RAY Network is keen on facilitating and joining informed discourses between research, policy and practice, and is committed to disseminate its research findings and outcomes in an adequate and effective way to interested audiences.
Our research projects
- We currently run the following research projects, which we refer to by their abbreviations: RAY COMP, RAY DIGI, RAY LEARN, RAY LTE EXT, RAY NPC, RAY MON, RAY SOC & RAY STRAT.
- Our finished projects are RAY CAP, RAY COR, RAY INNO, RAY LTE & RAY PART.
All research projects are being introduced below.
RAY COMP
Approaches to competence development and capacity building in the European youth programmes
The aim of this research project is to explore educational approaches to competence development and capacity building in the context of the European youth programmes and their suitability to strengthen the diversity, quality and impact of youth work across Europe for the development of the necessary learning and training opportunities. This project involves 10 RAY network members (started in 2021).
RAY DIGI
Dimensions of digitalisation in the European youth programmes and development of recommendations
This research project aims to explore dimensions of digitalisation, document the progress of
digitalisation in the European youth programmes, and develop recommendations to strengthen
and support digital dimensions in youth work. This project involves 17 RAY network members (started in 2021).
RAY MON
Research-based analysis and monitoring of Erasmus+ Youth in Action
Research-based analysis and monitoring of Erasmus+ Youth in Action aims at contributing to monitoring and developing Erasmus+ Youth in Action and the quality of projects supported by it. This activity is a joint activity of all RAY network partners (ongoing).
RAY LEARN
Strategies and practices for organisational development and learning in the European youth sector
A research project on strategies and practices for organisational development and learning of organisations and networks in the European youth sector. Currently, 12 National Agencies of the European youth programmes and their research partners are involved (started in 2019).
RAY LTE EXT
Long-term effects on participation and citizenship
A research project on long-term effects of Erasmus+ Youth in Action (programme cycle from 2014-2020) on participation and citizenship. This project is an extension of RAY LTE (finalised in 2019). 6 RAY network partners are involved in this project (started at the beginning of 2023).
RAY NPC
Impact and potential of cooperation projects with neighbouring partner countries in the European youth programmes
A research project on the impact and potential of cooperation projects with neighbouring partner countries in the European youth programmes. This project involves 6 RAY network partners (started in 2023).
RAY STRAT
Strategic contributions of the European youth programmes
This research project aims to explore how the European youth programmes contribute to programme- and sector-specific strategies that frame and guide the European youth programmes, both through activities/projects of programme beneficiaries and through strategic cooperation projects of National Agencies.The project involves all RAY network members (started in 2021).
RAY SOC
Research-based analysis and monitoring of the European Solidarity Corps
Research-based analysis and monitoring of the European Solidarity Corps aims to explore a broad scope of aspects of the European Solidarity Corps and to share the research findings with different actors and stakeholders; furthermore, it seeks to contribute to the development of the projects supported by it as well as of the programme itself. All RAY partners of countries involved in the European Solidarity Corps are part of this project, currently 32 (started with a pre-study in 2019).
RAY CAP
Competence development and capacity building of Erasmus+ Youth in Action
A research project on competence development and capacity building of youth workers and youth leaders involved in training/support activities in Erasmus+ Youth in Action; it also explored the effects of Erasmus+ Youth in Action on the organisations involved. This projects involved 17 National Agencies of the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme and their researchers (finalised in 2019).
RAY COR
Impact of the corona pandemic on youth work in Europe
The aim of this research project is to document and analyse the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on youth work in Europe, including the European youth programmes, and the response of youth work across Europe to the pandemic and its effects. This project run from 2020 to end of 2022.
RAY INNO
Impact of strategic partnerships and cooperation in Erasmus+ Youth in Action
A research project on the impact, role and potential of the strategic partnerships and cooperation in Erasmus+ Youth in Action (under Key Action 2) as instruments to foster innovation and exchange of good practices in the youth sector and related fields. 16 RAY network partners were involved in this project (2019-2022).
RAY LTE
Long-term effects of Erasmus+ Youth in Action on participation and citizenship
A research project on the long-term effects of Erasmus+ Youth in Action on participation and citizenship of the actors involved, in particular on the development of participation and citizenship competences and practices. 12 network members were involved in this project (finalised in 2019).
RAY PART
Approaches to participation and citizenship education and learning in the European youth programmes
A research project on approaches to participation and citizenship education and learning in the European youth programmes, in particular in respect to a European dimension; furthermore it also explores how the competences necessary to implement these approaches can be developed. This project involved 9 RAY network partners (2019-2021).