RAY MISS » Evidence-building research project on who is missing in the EU youth programmes
Therefore, we will explore which types of potential applicant organisations/groups/networks/youth do not apply for funding, and why by dissecting the application and selection process in order to identify possible structural mechanisms hindering potential applicant organisations/groups/networks/youth. Additionally, we aim at further exploring which young people with fewer opportunities and special needs are underrepresented in projects funded by European youth programmes, and why. While recognizing there are many individual reasons which may influence a young person’s participation in the European youth programmes, we recognize the pivotal role organisations play in reaching young people with fewer opportunities. Consequently, in order to begin exploring why young people with fewer opportunities and special needs are missing or underrepresented, this project will have a primarily organisational focus.
Aims & Objectives
This research project aims to explore who is missing from the European youth programs, by
attempting to understand which potential applicants do NOT submit applications for funding
programmes, why some applicants are not selected and which young people do not participate
in projects funded through European youth projects – and why.
The key objectives of this research project are to explore:
- The application and selection process for organisations/groups/networks to determine
structural impediments to participation in the European youth projects. - The application and selection process for youth to determine structural impediments
to participation in the European youth projects. - To create a profile of which young people with fewer opportunities and special needs
are underrepresented in projects funded by European youth programmes. - To develop supports and changes in the application and selection process to eliminate
barriers to participation for eligible organisations/groups/networks/youth.
Research Questions
The core research questions of the project are:
- Which types of organisations/groups/networks are significantly underrepresented in
projects applied for within and funded through European youth programmes, and why? - Which young people are significantly underrepresented in projects applied for within
and funded through European youth programmes, and why? - What are the obstacles of young people and organisations to become involved in European
youth programmes? - How can young people and organisations/groups/networks that are underrepresented
in the European youth programmes be better supported in order to become involved in
these programmes?
Further Information
The underpinning research questions are:
- Is there a selection bias for eligible organizations/networks/groups where they may not
receive funding because they are unprepared to apply? - How does the application process influence an organisations/group/networks willingness
and capacity to apply for funding? - How does the application process influence a young person’s willingness and capacity
to apply for participation in the European youth programmes? - Is there adequate support material/information to assist interested parties in completing
the application process? - How much additional/supplementary support is necessary to submit an application and
how is an application selected? - Are there organisations who would likely not be able to participate in a similar project
under the current conditions? - What systematic changes need to be implemented for participation of deterred, eligible
applicants more likely?
Module 1: Data Analysis
In the initial module of this research project, a comparative analysis of RAY MON data will be
carried out in order to identify youth who are missing and underrepresented, particularly focusing
on youth with fewer opportunities. Bearing in mind, the RAY MON data is not representative
for all participants in the European Youth Programs so we are limited by the data that is
available.
Module 2: Document Analysis
In the second module of this research project, we will explore the complexities of the application
process through an analysis of applications. This module would first look at anonymized
application data1 received from National Agencies to compare accepted and rejected applications.
If possible, review of “application guidance materials” provided during the application
process will also be analysed.
Module 3: Expert Interviews with National Agency Staff
In the third module of this research project, we will conduct interviews with National Agency
staff about the application process to explore the overall process as well as themes of inclusion,
visibility, promotion, and thresholds.
[Optional] Module 4: Case Studies
In this optional module, case studies (which could include interviews, Focus Groups, and/or
observations) with organisations working with youth and youth who are: 1) not participating in
EUYP, 2) participated once but never got back, 3) currently going through the application process
for the first time etc. will be included. The selection of cases would be informed from the
information discovered in Module 12. This optional case module serves to dive deeper into the
applications’ potential structural obstacles with participation, the effectiveness of the promotion
of the programmes, and personal aspects hampering or encouraging their participation.
Module 5: Survey
In the fifth module of this research project, multilingual online survey built on the data collected
from the previous modules addressed to young people and organisations/groups/ networks
eligible but not taking part in European youth programmes. Ideally, National Agencies/
national researchers would map eligible organisations that do not participate to send the
survey invitation directly to increase the response rate in an atmosphere of survey fatigue.