Between Hope and Despair Caritas Cares Report on Youth Poverty with Recommendations to Follow up the Europe 2020 Strategy

europe’s youth between hope and despair caritas cares report on youth poverty with recommendations to follow up the europe 2020 strategy

1 “…young people have a critical role. They are not the future of our peoples; they are the present. Even now, with their dreams and their lives they are forging the spirit of Europe. We cannot look to the future without offering them the real possibility to be catalysts of change and transformation. We cannot envision Europe without letting them be participants and protagonists in this dream”. Pope Francis, 2016, when he received the Charlemagne Prize

2 europe’s youth between hope and despair Researched and written by José-Manuel Fresno, Stefan Meyer, Skye Bain, Alia Chahín, and Cornelia Rauchberger of Fresno the right link, with the support of Peter Verhaeghe and Shannon Pfohman of Caritas Europa’s Secretariat. This is based on the Caritas CARES! Country Reports publications, drafted with the support of: caritas austria: Alexander Machatschke caritas belgium: Thijs Smeyers caritas bulgaria: Svetlana Gyoreva caritas cyprus: Michael Hadjiroussos caritas czech republic: Martina Veverkova, Alzbeta Karolyiova, Iva Kuchynkova caritas finland: Larissa Franz-Koivisto caritas france (secours catholique): Lola Schulmann caritas germany: Verena Liessem, Stephan Schwerdtfeger caritas greece: Maria Koutatzi caritas italiana: Walter Nanni caritas luxembourg: Robert Urbé caritas malta: André Bonello cordaid (caritas netherlands): Erik Sengers, Joep van Zijl caritas portugal: Ana Nunes caritas romania: Maria Crangasu caritas england and wales (csan): Faith Anderson social justice ireland: Michelle Murphy Published by Caritas Europa, Rue de la Charité 43, 1210 Brussels, Belgium, December 2017.

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3 table of contents

executive summary _ 5 foreword _ 9 introduction _ 11

1 limited access to rights for young europeans _ 13

the right to housing _ 15

the right to work – and education _ 18

2 issues of concern for european youth _ 21

intergenerational transmission of poverty and social mobility _ 22

indebtedness _ 24

stigma and self-confidence _ 24

juvenile justice and youth with addictions _ 26

marketisation and commodification _ 26

3 youth at risk of poverty and social exclusion _ 29

young single parents _ 30

young migrants and refugees _ 33

young people with disabilities _ 36

4 how effective are current policies directed towards young europeans? _ 39

european youth strategy _ 40

the effectiveness of national policies _ 42

5 a european pillar of social rights _ 45

6 conclusions and recommendations _ 49 annex i methodology of the report _ 53 annex ii social economy initiatives supported by caritas _ 55 list of acronyms _ 59

acronyms _ 59

country codes _ 59 references _ 60

4 europe’s youth between hope and despair © Aleksandra Pawloff / Caritas Austria

5 executive summary

ccording to Eurostat, 1 out of 3 youth in Europe are suffering from the consequences of poverty. With the The time has come aim of providing a narrative to accom- to promote policies which create employment, panyA existing statistical data compiled officially, the Caritas Europa network but above all there is a need to restore dignity to collected grass -roots information labour by ensuring proper working conditions. This from its members that reflect the qua- implies, on the one hand, finding new ways of joining litative situation of young Europeans using the social services offered by market flexibility with the need for stability and European Caritas organisations in 17 security on the part of workers; these are indispensable countries1. The findings are alarming for their human development. It also implies as they document the rising exclusion of young men and women, emerging favouring a suitable social context geared not to the sentiments of intergenerational injus- exploitation of persons, but to ensuring, tice, and a loudening claim that the precisely through labour, their ability European promise for equal opportunities and the levelling out of regional to create a family and educate disparities is broken and in need of se- their children. rious attention. Pope Francis, The aftermath of the 2008 financial Speech to the European Parliament, 2014 crisis has hit certain groups of young people more heavily, for instance, single-parent families, migrants and refugees, Roma youth, and young people with disabilities, among others. The extent of the impact varies from one country to the next. But youth in the Southern and Eastern peripheries of Europe tend to face greater obsta- school to work is tedious, particular- non, which we dubbed as “SINKies” cles overall. This, in turn, has affected ly for the children of disadvantaged – Single Income, No Kids. This re- young women and men’s ability to ac- families. Often, courses seem to be fers to young working couples whose cess specific sets of social rights, such offered rather to sooth the statistics wages combined still barely equate the as housing, work and education. than to provide realistic upskilling earnings equivalent to one single “de- pathways. Many school systems need cent” income. Caritas social workers frequently ob- to enhance permeability and second serve that young people have difficul- chance options. In our social services, we see pover- ties in accessing housing. This delays ty-stricken families and have witnessed an important step to adulthood. In Now, as the crisis seems to fade out, in the last decade that increasing num- the worst cases, this leads to youth ho- many youth are still trapped in unem- bers of people have been left behind melessness. Caritas urges to guarantee ployment. On the other hand, preca- by society. Caritas is alarmed to see the right to housing. rious work has risen, the promises of that poverty is transmitted from one ‘flexicurity’ have not delivered, and generation to the next with long-term In the last decade, our social services increasingly more young people work, negative impacts for young people. In have witnessed the European youth but remain poor. It is becoming parti- many ways, the social status of the pa- being deprived from the right to cularly urgent to regulate the collabo- rents predicts the future of their child- work and right to quality education. rative economy. With no place to stay ren. The benefits of social mobility Although preventing school dropout and no income to spend, raising fa- have been promised, but without ful- has become a serious commitment, milies of one’s own becomes a distant filment for many youth. This breach we still find that the transition from dream, giving rise to a new phenome- in promise results in weakening the

6 europe’s youth between hope and despair © Sebastian Philipp / Caritas Austria

European project, both socially and Our findings indicate that the current hope for people with disabilities. Still, politically. The current lack of redis- situation of youth in Europe has wi- the processes of integration have fallen tributional space brings the need for der and longer-term consequences for victim to austerity measures. Inclusive fairness and equity vehemently back our societies, labour markets and social schools and protected labour markets to the agenda. protection systems. As the number of are typically amongst the first in the single-parent families increases, social line of budget cuts. Particularly in Eas- Another particular dimension of policies need to consider their speci- tern Europe we observe that non-dis- concern is indebtedness, which re- fic situation and needs explicitly from crimination practice towards persons duces the opportunities of young the start. Better reconciliation of work with disabilities has become stuck. people for a lifetime. In addition, the and family life, and quality childcare exorbitant increase in the volumes of is particularly important for mothers On the other hand, Europe has reac- student loans leave a cumbersome le- and fathers, also because it can foster ted. The Youth Guarantee is a major gacy in the life plans of many young equity from the start for all. Inclusion plan against the youth employment women and men. We see lasting social of migrant youth is a matter of justice crisis. Caritas lauds the rapid and de- stigma, negatively affecting the poor, and smart foresight. Promoting social cisive action taken by the European throughout European societies. Pola- investment and devising strategies to Institutions. However, we detect a risation and growing inequality feed finance inclusive social protection sys- certain fixation on employment and the phenomenon of blaming the most tems, policies and programmes are vi- employability and recommend balan- destitute families for their situation of tal for enabling cohesive environments cing activation with protection mea- poverty. The social climate has become and fostering migrant integration. Eu- sures. In practice, European responses, rougher in the last decade. ropean standards have been a beacon of such as the Youth Guarantee and the

7 Youth Employment Initiative, do not In November 2017, European poli- always manage to reach out to highly tical leaders approved the European marginalised groups. Implementation Pillar of Social Rights at the Gothen- on the ground clearly lags behind the burg Social Summit and, thus, a new political commitments particularly in framework has been proposed to gua- the quality of the offer. Furthermore, rantee social standards. Caritas wel- the focus on employability tends to comes the synthesis this framework oversee that in many cases previous offers in order to define and measure work and investment in job-place- the accomplishments of social rights ment is necessary in terms of settling across Europe. It should be strengthe- down, preparing the ground by deve- ned by aligning policies to the existing loping certain skills and knowledge Human Rights obligations, first and and regaining a sense of security. Fur- foremost the European Social Charter thermore, much of the Youth Gua- as the Social Constitution of Europe,

For the first time since the Second World War, there is a real risk that today’s young adults – the most educated generation we have ever had – may end up less well-off than their parents. European Commission 2017 2

rantee seems to be geared towards and the commitments derived from quantity. Now that the economy again the global Sustainable Development seems to be increasing its take up, it Goals (SDG) agenda. is time to correct this by guaranteeing the quality of employment and ap- prenticeships.

In the meantime, social services policies of Member States have an important impact on the well-being of young people. A common regulatory framework emerges in Europe on contracting social services. Whilst market forces strongly enter in the provision, with mixed results, the State is, without doubt, the duty-holder that ensures social rights. There- notes fore, it should never hand over the 1 Data was compiled for AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, control over the services offered. Buil- DE, EL, FI, FR, IE, IT, LU, MT, NL, PT, RO, and ding partnerships with the third sector UK; see annex for country codes. is essential. 2 EC 2017a, p.9

8 europe’s youth between hope and despair I am 19 years old and I have been looking for a job for the past two years ago, to start an independent life. Only this year I found a job opportunity, but unfortunately, this a seasonal job and, in the winter, I will be unemployed again. It is becoming very hard for young people to have a secure life on a financial level, due to the lack of jobs and the ones that exist, most of them, are precarious. Caritas is helping my mother and me with some essential goods, like food, or some household expenses. 19-year-old beneficiary in the Diocesan Caritas of Algarve

9 foreword egretfully, this quote is not an individual sad story, but one of thousands of stories we listen to every day. We in Caritas, our social work, are in touch with people who are left behind. This reports talks about homeless youth in the UK and young school dropouts in Malta or Luxembourg. We witness indebted young men and women in the Czech Republic and Portuguese graduates who juggle one internship after the other. We see Romanian youth with disabilities who face serious difficulties accessing school in equal conditions, Rwhilst Germany is facing a syndrome of disconnected youth who are falling through all social safety nets. We observe in Bulgaria how Roma adolescents keep being excluded and discriminated against in the schooling system, whilst migrants in Finland and Belgium cannot aspire to settle down with dignity. Irish, French and Austrian youth are stuck in their childhood rooms whilst housing prices increase. Many young single mothers in Cyprus face poverty and exclusion. Italian youth are kept in a state of protracted adolescence without work-contracts, shared flats and no subsistence on which to raise a family. Dutch young men and women have to take on debts to study or are simply denied access to higher education due to the limited size of their purse. The only option for sustenance for many young Greeks is to leave their home country. Caritas member organisations report about their practices in the countries, providing evidence of the needs and testimonies of vulnerable populations they are serving and they come forward when rights are being violated or are becoming more difficult to realise.

Regretfully, the Reflection Group on the Future of Europe, composed by former heads of government and other European leaders, were right when they prophesised in 2010: “For the first time in Europe’s recent history, there is widespread fear that today’s children will be less well off than their parents’ generation.”3

The last decade has been rough particularly for youth in Europe, the so -called ‘millennials’. Overall, European societies seem to have loosened their commitment to social cohesion. What is more, Europe is divided into a “better-off centre” and a “crisis-strung periphery”. In many Eastern and Southern Member States, young people have to cope not only with difficult access to jobs, but once they succeed, they find precariousness, low pay and meagre career perspectives.

In this year’s edition of the “Caritas Cares!” series, we undertake a stocktaking of the conditions of young people in Europe. It is our aim to follow up on the Europe 2020 Strategy and draw policy makers nearer to the final impacts of their social policies as they impact on the ground. Special thanks go to all the colleagues in the member organisations who contributed to this report and to our consultant for this report, FRESNO, the right Link.

We welcome the recent proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. However, we call for inserting the pillar in the other frameworks of acquired human rights obligations of the States, such as the European Social Charter, the Human Rights Conventions and the Sustainable Development Goals. We also consider it necessary to devise a meticulous system to monitor the social rights principles in cooperation with civil society to be accountable for yet another promise: “A Europe with a social triple-A rating”.

Our call is to listen to the young people and to give them hope and future. It is high time. Now!

Jorge Nuño Mayer Secretary General notes

3 PROJECT EUROPE 2030 - Challenges and Opportunities. A report to the European Council by the Reflection Group on the Future of the EU 2030 - http://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/30776/qc3210249enc.pdf. 10 europe’s youth between hope and despair introduction

n this year’s edition of the In addition, economic developments Chapter 3 looks at specific groups of “Caritas Cares!” series, we un- resulted in the establishment of a young people experiencing poverty dertake a stocktaking of the centre of better-off European core and social exclusion. Chapter 4 des- conditions of young people in countries and a jettisoned periphery. cribes to which extent European and Europe, as Caritas organisations This has contributed to putting the national policies are effective in addres- perceive them in our social services, European project in question as it sing the challenges identified above, Iprogrammes and grassroots projects.4 falls short on its promise of upward and if they target the most vulnerable Caritas member organisations report convergence. Young people pay the groups identified in Chapter 3. Chap- about their practices in the countries, chunk of the bill in these peripheral ter 5 assesses the added value of the EU providing evidence of the needs and countries. initiative to establish a European Pillar testimonies of the vulnerable popula- of Social Rights, and in the final Chap- tions they are serving and they come Our findings indicate that the current ter 6, we draw some conclusions and forward when rights are being violated situation of youth in Europe has wi- formulate national and EU level policy or are becoming more difficult to rea- der and longer-term consequences for recommendations. lise. It is our aim, therefore, to draw our societies, labour markets and so- policy makers nearer to the impacts cial protection systems. We identified of their social policies as they impact a phenomenon of what we would call on the ground, affecting the lives of SINKies - Single Income, No Kids: people.5 Sinkies are young couples both working but who, wages combined, still earn only the equivalent of one single Young women and men, aged 16 to 29, “decent” income, because of the bad face major challenges in their life course wage levels and precarious working when they transition from childhood to conditions. Being a working poor also adulthood. This includes their identity prevents people from having kids. As formation, moving out from their pa- opposed to DINKIES, a term coined rents’ home, transitioning from school in the 1980s to describe the pheno- to work, including choosing a profes- menon of couples earning a double sional career, and establishing a family income choosing not to have kids be- of one’s own. All these challenges have cause they wanted to enjoy life, Sinkies become even more difficult in the last are young couples who might wish to decade due to the protracted economic have children but who simply can’t af- crisis and the changes in labour mar- ford it. And the term also refers to the kets that have hit youth the hardest, social consequences of having a first e.g. in terms of youth unemployment, generation in decades that is worse off wages, working conditions and access than their parents, with consequences to social protection. for social cohesion, social models as well as social protection systems – we run the risk of a sinking society if no This situation led to newspaper head- action is taken now. lines referring to a “lost generation” or “disconnected youth”. The term The publication is structured in the NEET – Young people Not in Em- following way: based on information ployment, Education or Training – gathered by the Caritas member or- took off from sociological textbooks ganisations,7 Chapter 1 identifies the and policy in-circles to become a com- main challenges that youth in Europe mon expression in the public debate. are faced with regarding their ability to Figures on employment, poverty and access social rights. Chapter 2 presents the pay gap between young people and the main issues of concern for Euro- the average seem to demonstrate that pean youth, such as intergenerational whole societies had decided to disre- transmission of poverty, indebtedness, gard the younger generation. Whilst stigma and self-confidence, juvenile welfare levels fall, inequalities rose.6 justice and youth with addictions.

11 © Barbro Strömblad / Caritas Europa

12 europe’s youth between hope and despair notes

4 Data was compiled from 17 European countries: AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, EL, FI, FR, IE, IT, LU, MT, NL, PT, RO, and UK; see annex for country codes. Find the country reports, including Caritas project examples, here: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Romania and the United Kingdom.

5 Caritas Europa has a heartfelt commitment to analyse and fight poverty and social exclusion. We promote true integral human development, social justice and sustainable social systems. The network advocates for and with people in need in order to transform society into a more just and inclusive civilisation. The- refore, we work and advocate for an inclusive society welcoming all, including those who suffer hardship. We promote social rights, such as the right to live a life free of poverty, the right to work, to healthcare, to equal treatment, to housing amongst others.

6 OECD 2017; EC2017g.

7 For the Caritas Cares! Series country reports 2017, see http://www.caritas.eu/publications

13 limited access to rights for young europeans

The causes of youth poverty and social exclusion of young Europeans are as debated as the remedies. From the Caritas country surveys, a number of problems were mentioned that are often intertwined. The demand for governments to ensure adequate minimum income schemes is widely shared. This relates to both establishing (minimum) wage-levels, reducing precariousness and providing income alternatives to those without access to the labour market or who are unemployed. Based on the Caritas survey, the following gaps (displayed in table 1) were identified, indicating in which areas youth had limited access or ability to secure their rights.

14 europe’s youth between hope and despair © Jindřich Štreit / Caritas Czech Republic

I had been living with my boyfriend for one year. I got pregnant, and he told me I had three days to leave the apartment. The first few nights I slept rough on benches in parks. Then a friend helped me to find a cheap apartment. In the apartment, there was no heating. In October, my daughter was born and we spent the whole winter in the cold, damp apartment. Then, I no longer had enough money for the rent. I was evicted. I was very afraid, that my child would be taken away from me by the youth welfare office, but there was just no affordable housing to find. Caritas service user, Caritas Austria

15 table 1 Rights to which young people at risk of poverty and social exclusion have more limited access than other age groups, according to the caritas’ member organisations experience (17 responses, maximum 5 items) answer options count Right to housing 13 Right to work 8 Right to equality and non-discrimination 7 Right to education 5 Right to social protection 5 Right to healthcare 2 Other 3

the right to housing

oung people, aged 18 to people leaving the parental household According to the Austrian country re- 29, face an individual - it is nearly constant for the last de- port, young people at risk of poverty challenge to transition cade at around 26.2 years – there are have considerable difficulties in acces- from adolescence to differences between the better-off core sing affordable housing. Young people adulthood. This coinci- without financial support from family Member States and the crisis-stricken des with the societal challenge to in- networks face serious difficulties when tegrateY young people as citizens into periphery. In that regard, the age entering the housing market. Housing society and as employees or self-em- when young people move out from costs are a significant strain on family ployed in the work force when they their parents’ home fell in countries income, and rents have increased dis- transition from school to employ- like Germany and Belgium, whilst proportionally over the last ten years. ment. Moving out from their parents’ it increased in countries like Spain, home is an important step. It marks Italy, Ireland and Greece.8 This is In Belgium, youth face serious an important milestone for these tran- also related to affordable housing. In challenges in emancipating themsel- sitions, in terms of financial indepen- ves from parent households, as rents housing policies, the needs of young dence. Taking this step, however, has are remarkably high. Social housing people have to be taken into account become more difficult, not least due to has very long waiting lists. the economic crisis and related youth to support them in their quest for an employment crisis. Although statistics independent and self-sustained life. In the Czech Republic, about 68,500 for Europe (EU 28) show no changes The Caritas country reports9 reflect people are without shelter and about in the estimated average age of young the importance of this need. 119,000 are threatened by a loss of

16 europe’s youth between hope and despair housing, because they live in uncer- many young people from committing tain or inappropriate and substandard to rent or purchase an apartment. The housing. result is that they live longer with their parents or rent rooms in shared flats. Caritas Greece confirms that most young people are not able anymore to TheUK report transmits in detail how afford their own housing and remain poor young people are excluded from for a long time with parents or family. buying or renting a flat, whilst muni- Furthermore, since the beginning of cipal social housing schemes are being the economic crisis a growing number scaled down. The housing market in of children and young people live in the UK has priced out many young very poor housing conditions, with no people. Limited access to housing is heating, no electricity, and humidity. currently one of the most worrisome Youth homelessness, consequently, problems for this group. has increased. Caritas Italy reveals how the problem In France, according to Secours Catho- of housing shortages has been aggra- lique-Caritas France, young people are vated by the lack of resources for pu- much more likely to be living in alter- blic social housing and failure of va- native or precarious accommodation rious legislative measures on the rental for example with close relatives, in market and social housing. shelters or on the street. Young people have limited access to social housing. Overall, the Caritas experiences show an increasing gap in accessing hou- Social Justice Ireland explains that the sing between poor youth and their number of households on the social better-off peers. For many vulne- housing waiting list is high and the rable youth, such as migrants, single percentage of those on the waiting mothers or youth in precarious em- list for over seven years has more than ployment, paying the rent represents doubled. With rising rent prices, both an increasingly larger share of their average wages and rent supplements monthly expenses. Caritas social are insufficient to ensure access to workers have become accustomed to housing for young people. intervening in situations of indebte- Caritas Luxembourg reports the dis- dness, mortgage payment defaults, proportionate increase of housing and forced evictions, all of which are prices together with a shortage of so- related to housing and its increasing cial housing. This is having a very ne- costs. Homelessness, although a more gative impact on the living conditions complex issue, is directly related to of young people who cannot afford housing policies and the failure of a decent home. This, combined with governments to offer housing alter- a high rate of youth unemployment, natives promptly in times of financial 10 through the multi-level governance of is hindering the social and economic and life crises. Europe from the municipal councils development of younger generations. up to the European institutions. Therefore, Caritas Luxembourg calls Caritas advocates for access to ba- for urgent actions in the field of so- sic rights for all. Access to affordable cial housing with a focus on increasing quality housing forms an essential In the last decades much of the poli- the number of social housing, giving part of social protection systems as cies of social protection, including so- rent subsidies to vulnerable people, a solidarity mechanism ensuring the cial housing policy have suffered from 11 especially to young people and taking well-being of society as a whole. A a lack of political will to decisively measures to control rent prices. number of policies can facilitate access support housing as a basic right. On for young people to affordable qua- the contrary, although access to hou- The Portuguese Caritas describes the lity housing. Amongst these are social sing is a basic right, it was submitted difficulties for many youth when it co- housing, rent subsidies, rental gua- to mere market criteria. At the same mes to accessing a place of their own rantees, minimum income schemes, time, long-term social investment in due to their precarious employment tax deductions, rent price control, to- social housing and housing benefits situations and the expensive housing gether with broader policies of spatial were cut back for reasons of fiscal market. A common feeling of inse- planning for urban social cohesion.12 consolidation and austerity measures. curity related to their future prevents The competencies for these go right Hence, in the last decade, housing –

17 © Gaël Kerbaol / Caritas Europa

intimately linked to the banking crisis complexity of accessing housing.15 Ca- homelessness.16 Furthermore, the Sus- – has entered into the headlines with ritas will be vigilant how the principle is tainable Development Goals (SDGs) reports on forced evictions, indebted- translated into State, regional and mu- provide a global framework for mea- ness of families, overcrowded substan- nicipal policies. The European Semester suring social and environmental standard housing and homelessness. Process might be a useful tool for moni- dards. Housing comes up strongly. It toring its implementation, particularly is explicitly formulated in Target 11.3 of ‘Sustainable Cities’ Goal: “by 2030, Caritas therefore welcomes the Euro- if the dynamic initiative, spearheaded ensure access for all to adequate, safe and pean Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) by the EPSR, is shifting attention from affordable housing(…)”, as well as it whose 19th principle explicitly reco- economic and monetary performance is implicitly included in the goals of gnises the right to housing and commits towards social goals. poverty reduction (1) and reducing to offering social housing or housing benefits to those in need and to ensure Housing as a human right and funda- inequalities (10). shelter and services to the homeless.13 mental condition for human dignity An indicator on housing is introduced is also protected by article 31 of the in the recently proposed EU Social Revised European Social Charter, that Scoreboard for the EPSR.14 However, foresees to make housing accessible to the measurement does not capture the those who are in need and to tackle

18 europe’s youth between hope and despair the right to work – and education

he last decade of recession has marked an entire generation of young girls and boys, passing “the best time I am 25 years old and I’ve been working for 10 years of their lives” under the dark clouds Tof the crisis. As recession swept over in precarious jobs. I started to work with the intention Europe, youth unemployment rose to to help my mother and to continue my studies for the unprecedented levels, with an unequal university. Currently, I have a contract within an distribution between the core and peripheral Member States of the Union. employment measure from a Municipality but, for Moreover, wages and legal protection me, this is almost the same as being unemployed. My of the first employment forced Eu- wage is 419€ and I have three years of graduation ropean youth to settle in a, formerly unknown, universe of precariousness studies, dozens of trainings, one year of migration in and low pay. Being young meant to be another country and 10 years of struggle. confronted with a far greater exposure to all effects of the crisis. Caritas Service User, Caritas Portugal

The Caritas country reports display a dismal picture of the suffering of youth in Europe when it comes to accessing steady, well remunerated ly, one out of two young Romanians struggling to make room for its youth employment. The Portugal report emigrates to search for better oppor- in the world of work. This leads to a describes how job opportunities and tunities elsewhere. paradox: young people in the prime of wage levels have dropped dramatical- life are not able to offer their potential In Austria, one out of ten young ly since the crisis. Portugal still has a and energy, whilst pension and social people is considered working-poor. In high level of youth unemployment, protection schemes and social life in contrast, the tax burden on labour is many young people emigrate and hi- general would need their contribution. amongst the highest in Europe, while gher education is not being valued in taxes on wealth are amongst the lowest In general, the Caritas country re- the labour market. in the whole OECD. ports display a picture of excluded youth trapped in long-term unem- According to the UK country report, In Italy, young people are forced to ployment, precarious and low paid the current generation of young people postpone the stages that mark ma- jobs, often despite having attained in the UK – nicknamed ‘Millennials’, turity. Because of widespread unem- higher degrees, and moving from one aged roughly 21-30 – has not seen an ployment, together with precarious- internship to the next. Most of the increase in income to keep up with in- ness and low pay, young women and country reports allude to the frustra- flation over the last five years. This is men are unable to attain economic tion and deception of young people, the first generation to earn less than autonomy, leave their parents’ home, who ceased believing the promise that the former generation. buy their own home, and create their one can succeed by making an effort, own family, amongst others. In many as this has proven inaccurate and una- cases, even though these people are at According to the Caritas Greece chievable for many. the threshold of age thirty, they define Country report, most young people themselves neither as “young” nor as Europe has answered to the youth in Greece, who manage to complete “adults”, because they are far away unemployment crisis with decisive university studies are either trapped in from financial independence. measures. Two indicators mark the jobs that are irrelevant to their studies headline goals to fight youth unem- and in extremely poor working condi- In France, young people who are ployment – early school leaving and tions that remind of the situation unemployed or in precarious jobs en- the percentage of youth not in em- right after World War II. counter difficulties in getting involved ployment, education or training in an independent living project. Two (NEETs). The agenda 2020 sets the In Romania, wage levels for youth thirds of young people who have left target to push the rate of early school frequently do not lift families above the education system still live with leavers below 10%. The NEET the poverty threshold. Consequent- their parents. The French society is concept abounded in the nineties, was

19 declared as an objective in the “Youth on the move” initiative in 2010, and was set as a target in the 2013 Youth Guarantee strategy.

The promotion of youth entrepreneurship represents both opportunities and risks. There are reasons for concerns that self-employment or freelance working practices camou- flage highly dependent or precarious employment situations. This is the case particularly for those occupations generated by young entrepreneurs. Whilst flexicurity seems to be a valid promise, a great number of young Europeans develop their professional career having never signed a permanent work contract.17 This is especially the case in the so-called Collaborative Economy – defined as business with transactions facilitated horizontally through online platforms.18 In many cases, the Youth Guarantee and Youth Employment Initiative have promoted this kind of pathway to employment. Labour rights and social protection need to be safeguarded and require further regulatory efforts.

The Social Model of Caritas puts inclusive labour markets at the centre stage, together with the family policy and social protection systems.19 Caritas advocates for a rights-based and non-discriminatory approach to employment that is sensitive to the necessities of youth. National and/or regional authorities play a vital role in organising employment counselling services, ensuring minimum wages and job security, and devising measures to support the transition from education to the labour market. These obligations are stated in the European So- cial Charter and the European Union © Stefan Badegruber / Caritas Austria Charter of Fundamental Rights. Re- cently, they have been reiterated in the global framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These, concretely, state in Target 8.6 “By lities, and equal pay for work of equal 2020, substantially reduce the pro- value”. They also urge governments in portion of youth not in employment, Target 4.4 to ensure that “by 2030, education or training” and in Target substantially increase the number of 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and pro- youth and adults who have relevant ductive employment and decent work skills, including technical and vocatio- for all women and men, including for nal skills, for employment, decent jobs young people and persons with disabi- and entrepreneurship”.

20 europe’s youth between hope and despair

SWI-18-Caritas20-Notes.indd 20-21 18/01/18 14:25 notes

8 Eurostat, data set: Estimated average age of young people leaving the parental household.

9 For all Caritas CARES! series country reports, see http://www.caritas.eu/publications.

10 Busch-Geertsema 2016, EC2013b, FEANTSA 2017; Housing Europe / Cambridge Centre for Hou- sing and Planning Research 2015.

11 Caritas Europa 2016.

12 For a menu of policy-options, see the Report of the European Parliament EP2013.

13 CE2017c.

14 EC2017d, the indicator is “Severe housing deprivation rate (% of total population living in overcrowded dwellings and exhibiting housing deprivation, by tenure status) Eurostat”.

15 FEANTSA 2017b, Lörcher/Schömann 2017.

16 Council of Europe, Revised European Social Charter.

17 “Flexicurity” emerges as a concept in the 1990 in Denmark, combining labour market flexibility, with social protection and active labour market policies. This concept has rapidly been taken up by the EC as of the 2000s, see EC2007. On the precariousness of youth employment, see EP 2016; Lörcher/Schömann 2017, ILO 2013, ILO 2016; Piasna / Myant 2017.

18 EC 2016e; EC2017f.

19 Caritas Europa 2016, Social Justice and Equality in Europe is possible!

SWI-18-Caritas20-Notes.indd 20-21 18/01/18 14:25 issues of concern for european youth

The previous sections dealt with the rights that young people have difficulties to exercise. Beyond these, the findings from the survey conducted by Caritas member organisations revealed a number of specific topics, which en- tangle youth in Europe in situations of social exclusion. The following section highlights some particular topics which Caritas wants to highlight to policy-makers when devising policies or offering social services.

22 europe’s youth between hope and despair intergenerational transmission of poverty and social mobility

olicies that aim to stop the The Bulgaria reports shows that In Portugal, according to the Caritas intergenerational transfer some parents, due to their financial social workers, severely deprived fami- of poverty and social exclu- restraints or social beliefs, rather prefer lies are not in the position to support sion have to start from early their children to work than embarking their kin to obtain an education, or childhood and need a parti- on further training or education. access the labour market and housing. cular focus on focus on the age of ado- P 20 Austria The Romania report states that the lescence, one of the crucial moments. The report depicts that poor The transition from school to work – pupils cannot afford supplementary instability of parents’ workplaces with an unsteady and inadequate income, including graduating from secondary lessons. with no potential for advancement in school, tertiary education or training, their professional careers, influences internships, career choice, etc. – repre- The Germany report mentions the strong connection between social the families’ standard of living, educa- sent a prominent opportunity for public tion and the children’s development. intervention to readjust social inequali- background and educational achievement of a child. This translates also A number of descriptions in the re- ties and strengthen the opportunities of in lower career pathways. Pupils who port relate that cuts in social spending, disadvantaged population groups. This leave school without a certificate of such as early childcare or support for is especially important since the Caritas secondary education face severe pro- schooling materials, impact the most country reports suggest that there is not blems on the labour market. Diffe- disadvantaged children. Based on only a lack of equal opportunities, but rences in their percentages on local these findings, Caritas surmises that also that inequalities have increased in and regional levels show that there is opportunities, and the lack thereof the last decade. much what can be done to improve respectively, is directly related to the their situation. social status of the family. The majority of young beneficiaries The literature on social mobility and Italy of Caritas social services in the Czech In , the report relates that a intergenerational transmission of po- growing number of families suffer ma- 21 Republic already experienced pover- verty is extensive. A recent report by terial deprivation. This inhibits child- ty and social exclusion during their Eurofound sheds light on the concern ren and youth from attending school childhood. The chance of being poor that for the first time in decades youn- in proper conditions and from partici- ger generations will have fewer oppor- as an adult is much bigger when one pating in social and cultural life. is born poor than the chance of beco- tunities for upward social mobility than the generations before them. The ming poor later in life. In France, pupils from disadvantaged “social elevator” has two dimensions: families are three times more likely to the chances that the whole genera- In Greece, the report states that the fail at school. At the end of secondary tion is better off than the generation rate of impoverishment is increasing school, 35% of pupils in the most di- before (social mobility) and the fact and that families are unable to sup- sadvantaged schools were proficient in that individuals have chances to move French, compared to 80% in the most port their children even in accessing to other occupational and income favoured schools. The French educa- 22 supposedly free–of-charge State ser- classes (social fluidity). These dimen- tion system faces immense challenges, vices. Many families experience, on sions unfold against a background derived from ethnic and social segre- of growing inequalities. In former the one hand, that their income is gation. This creates mistrust between decades, upward social mobility and shrinking continuously, when both families and the school system. equal opportunities could be achieved wages and benefits are being reduced, because there was a general income whilst continuous increases of taxes The Luxembourg report raises alarms growth for all. Nowadays, the current and cost of living elevate their daily to the fact that younger generations of lack of redistributional space brings expenditures. This often obliges pa- specific population groups are inheri- the need for fairness and equity vehe- rents to grudgingly deprive their kids ting problems related to poverty and mently back to the agenda.23 the possibility to pursue or continue social exclusion from their parents, their higher education. which, in the future, will have a high In this context it is worth mentioning cost for the country as the govern- Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)3, ment will have to invest in specific adopted by the Committee of Minis- In Ireland, there is a great concern over programmes to address these issues. ters of the Council of Europe on 21 the number of children living in jobless In general, such responses tend to be January 201524, which specifically “re- households and the potential interge- more expensive than prevention pro- commends that the governments of the nerational transmission of poverty. grammes. Member States develop and implement

23 © Karen Nachtergaele / Caritas Belgium In Caritas, we know that when children are growing up in families with poverty, that they will carry this for the rest of their lives. Often children who are experiencing poverty at an early age are marked for life by this experience. Caritas Belgium

sustainable, evidence-based public poli- comes up in the debate. A recently nisations all over Europe. The young cies that take into consideration the spe- published indicator, constructed using people, we see in our services, are most cific situations and needs of young people Eurostat data, measures intergenera- often at the edge of society. For these from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. tional fairness. It points toward a rup- young men and women, the promise These policies should aim at preventing ture in the generation contract. The of the intergenerational contract, that and eradicating the poverty, discrimi- authors document a decrease in the the younger shall have a better life nation, violence and exclusion faced by social and economic opportunities for than their parents, in many cases no such young people…” the younger generation whilst, at the longer holds true. same time, the burden for caring for Besides the social mobility from one the older generation increases.25 These generation to the other, the issue of analyses reiterate the perceptions of justice between generations strongly Caritas, in its different member orga-

24 europe’s youth between hope and despair Experiences of unemployment, and in particular long-term unemployment, alongside an inability to access any work, training or education, tend to leave a ‘scarring effect’ on young people. It increases the challenges associated with getting them active in the labour market at any stage in the future, and this is of concern. Social Worker, Social Justice Ireland.

indebtedness

ountry reports from the Czech Republic, the UK and Austria show that a lack of financial literacy and an omis- sion in public policies to mitigate in- Cdebtedness locks in a number of young people into poverty. This can lead to energy poverty and arrears in paying utility bills, extending on to property seizures and forced evictions. Research has identified young people as being at a higher risk for this.26 Sometimes young people get charged with the indebtedness of their parents. Policies should provide for youth to have a fresh start. In this regard, it is especially concerning how some educational policies generate immense debts for student loans.27

25 stigma and self-confidence

he social climate has become rougher in the last decade. The Bel- gium report relates that the take-up rates of social benefits are low, which points to a Tnegative social perception of accepting social benefits as well as to a lack of information, particularly amongst the most vulnerable. Social workers from Caritas Belgium relate about conversa- tions with people experiencing poverty: “They tell us about their feeling that society is changing - and that, more and more, social exclusion is perceived as unavoidable, and it is being accepted.”

The Greece report reveals that entrenched poverty and its intergenerational transmission profoundly af- fects a person’s self-image, self-esteem © Stefan Badegruber / and social position. Hence, the trans- Caritas Austria mission of poverty continuously generates disempowerment and fatalism. Social workers tell how they witness that poverty constantly generates disempowerment and fatalism, such as a belief that suffering because of poverty is unavoidable. Or an attitude of self- blame takes on: “I do not deserve bet- We are afraid of ter, because I am not capable of more”. unemployment, what The inclination of European strate- On the contrary, recent approaches we want to do is work, gies towards employment policies as that balance activating with protecting virtually the sole measure against po- measures follow an approach that de- find a real job. verty and for social inclusion actually parts from securing basic rights first for Young people living deepens the gap between those who everyone. Most prominent amongst in Overseas France, are able to generate an adequate in- these is the debate on the guaranteed Secours Catholique-Caritas 28 30 come and those who are not. On a minimum income. In that regard, France conceptual level, it seems to reproduce Caritas strongly welcomes the recent the distinction between the “dange- call of the European parliament for rous poor” and the “deserving poor”.29 EU-wide minimum income.31 It is It runs into the danger of reinforcing urgent to develop a broader focus, the phenomenon of blaming the most in which access to work is but one destitute families for their situation of measure, whilst specific programmes poverty. This is often interlinked with are tailored to the most excluded, in currying negative rhetoric about and short: fight youth poverty and exclu- discriminatory practices against mi- sion – not just unemployment.32 grant youth.

26 europe’s youth between hope and despair juvenile justice and youth with addictions

ome of the Caritas country employability tends to oversee that in reports (MT, DE, FI, CZ, many cases previous work and invest- UK) document the work ment is necessary in terms of settling with young offenders and down, preparing the ground by develo- young men and women ping certain aptitudes and regaining a with addictions or mental health is- sense of security. In reality, the overall at- Ssues, such as depression. Young home- tention on work tends to disguise some less people often experience a combi- of the other basic needs. This added to nation of these, which in some cases the generalised cuts in social services has been documented as a coping and welfare provision - some of which method to deal with their hopeless si- have been reinforced by European re- tuations of poverty. Income guarantee commendations of fiscal consolidation schemes combined with personalised – have created even further complexities social casework and access to affordable and isolation for the already challenged housing prevent relapses.33 Systems of impoverished youth.34 juvenile justice and rehabilitation facilities need to be connected with inte- Early intervention with destitute or grated offers that combine social work, deviant youth has great potential to schooling or vocational education and prevent harmful substance abuse, training with job placement. criminal lifestyles and violent beha- viour from becoming chronic. In the However, European responses such as much promoted set of European po- the Youth Guarantee and the Youth licies geared towards employability, Employment Initiative, do not always these young people at the very edge manage to reach out to these much of society are scarcely considered, so- marginalised groups. Their focus on mething that ought to change.

marketisation and commodification

t is becoming increasingly as well as newer forms of social enter- evident that market forces erode prises. All of them have a centre core community relations, side-line of values to balance economic, social the vulnerable, increase ine- and environmental outcomes. By in- quity, and put a strain on the vesting profit into social objectives, environment. However, private bu- the social economy creates communal Isinesses cannot, by themselves, gene- relations, offers opportunities for both rate the necessary social innovation to individuals and communities, and make society a better place. As labour creates spaces for participating and markets have become extremely com- sharing ideas. This form of business petitive, diversity is not becoming organisation is gaining political atten- more respected, nor are work-places tion. Recently, the European Council being provided for the most vulnerable. reiterated its recognition of the role of the social economy in generating On the other hand, many young Eu- employment and fostering social ropeans look for an economy that – cohesion.35 Caritas strongly supports beyond profit – generates well-being social economy initiatives, both by and social cohesion in society. Increa- collaborating at programme level and singly new models of economic orga- by advocating for an extension of their nisation are gaining support. Social practices.36 In annex II, a number of economy puts people before profits. initiatives in the social economy, sup- The social economy includes organi- ported by Caritas, are documented, sational forms such as cooperatives, which may serve as promising prac- mutual, foundations and associations tices or examples for replication.

27 © Jindřich Štreit / Caritas Czech Republic

28 europe’s youth between hope and despair notes

20 Benda et al. 2008; Grant et al 2011.

21 See Benda et al 2008, Dauderstädt / Keltek 2017.

22 Eurofound 2017.

23 On an in-depth analysis of the dimensions of inequality and its impact on social exclusion and social cohesion see OECD 2015 and OECD 2017.

24 Council of Europe 2015: Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)3, Strasbourg https://rm.coe.in- t/168066671e.

25 Intergenerational Foundation 2017.

26 Alleweldt / Kara 2013; For more information see as well the European Consumer Debt Network (ECDN) http://ecdn.eu/.

27 Intergenerational Foundation 2016.

28 EAPN 2014.

29 Shildrick/Rucell 2015.

30 UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty 2017.

31 European Parliament 2017: European Parlia- ment resolution of 24 October 2017 on minimum income policies as a tool for fighting poverty, Strasbourg/ Brussels.

32 This is also the recommendation of the EAPN 2014.

33 Busch-Geertsema, Volker 2016.

34 See EAPN 2014.

35 European Council 2015.

36 Caritas 2017. See http://www.caritas.eu/func- tions/policy-advocacy/social-economy.

29 youth at risk of poverty and social exclusion

Caritas Europa has undertaken an inquiry amongst its member organisations on social exclusion and risk of poverty amongst young people. In our perspective, a number of groups require political action most urgently. Table 1 exposes the groups that have been identified as most vulnerable, and the following section describes the rationale more in detail.

30 europe’s youth between hope and despair table 2 Young people most at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the various countries, according to the caritas’ member organisations experience (17 responses, maximum 5 items)37 The most I suffer from all the answer options count small things that Young single parents 12 I can’t give to my children or that we Young refugees/asylum seekers, victims of human 10 can’t do together. trafficking, unaccompanied minors You know, like going Young homeless people 10 to a film with popcorn, Young people on rehabilitation or with addictions 8 a trip to the zoo or spending an afternoon Young immigrants 7 in a swimming pool. Young people with disabilities 7 A young mother, Caritas Belgium Young offenders 5 Young Roma 3 Other 7

young single parents

oung, single parents are The Belgium country report explains - there are not enough spots in pu- frequently mentioned how children, when growing up in blic ones and private kindergartens or by Caritas member or- poor single-parent households, suffer other forms of delegated childcare are ganisations as one of from this situation, often with conse- expensive. the groups most vulne- quences that are dragged on for many rable to poverty. The vast majority of years to other life stages. According Caritas Luxemburg observes that single suchY households are single-mother to Caritas social workers, in Belgium parents face very serious problems re- households. Having children at a young single parents have more dif- lated to very limited employment op- young age represents a major challenge ficulty accessing to social and health portunities, hence the higher rates of in a phase where societal demands, services, suffer from discrimination on unemployment, and related to very li- such as consolidating educational the housing market, and often have a mited access to affordable housing. achievements, making career choices low income. and settling in a profession, coincide TheUK report relays how single parent with the ever extended transition from The Czech Republic report relates households have been the household adolescence to adulthood. that the labour market is severely li- type hardest hit by tax and benefit mited in offering part-time jobs. Ca- reforms since 2010. Single parents in ritas social workers highlight the lack the UK are more likely than the ave- According to Caritas data in Austria, of job opportunities compatible with rage person to be in low-paid work. single-parent families are 3.4 times raising small children – especially for Being a single parent often means that more likely to need material and finan- parents with lower education and no the individual works a part-time job, cial assistance as compared to the total professional experiences. Additional- which is more likely to be low-paid. population. In France, one-quarter of ly, childcare services are insufficient. 68% of single parents enter the three single-parent families are poor. Kindergartens are often inaccessible lowest paid occupation groups.

31 © Aleksandra Pawloff / Caritas Austria

Recent research provides abundant Research shows evidence that specific if they could freely choose their wor- evidence that being a single-parent in- welfare provisions are more successful king hours, as would 85% of young creases income insecurity and creates than others in cushioning the pover- fathers. This indicates that these young a higher risk of poverty. This is par- ty risk and ensuring social inclusion mothers and fathers are not outside 42 ticularly the case for young mothers for single parents and their children. the labour force by choice.” Caring with low educational backgrounds, Amongst these are accessible and af- duties also explain some of the NEET thus constituting a “double disad- fordable childcare, the promotion of figures, particularly those of inactive vantage”.38 The European Commis- work-life balance, in particular part women, when disaggregating the nu- sion, in its report Employment and time jobs, parental leave and paid mbers. “(…) one-quarter of all young sick days, incentives to involve fathers women who are NEET are outside of Social Developments in Europe 2014, in child-care, the promotion of late employment, education and training pointed out that “in more than 20 careers, and targeted income support because of family responsibilities.”43 Member States, the risk of poverty schemes. As the number of single-pa- or social exclusion for children has rent families increases, their specific A particular debate pivots around risen since 2008, along with a worse- situation and needs should be consi- home-care cash allowances, which ning situation for their (mostly wor- dered explicitly from the start by so- seems to generate poverty traps accor- king-age) parents, with single-parent cial policies.41 ding to the opinion of some experts: 39 households facing the highest risks”. Provision of in-kind benefits, such as In the last decade, the figures of child- Moreover, a recent analysis of Euro- social services or childcare facilities, ren living in single-parent households found depicts a profound mismatch seem to be the better strategy for sus- have increased. In addition, the crisis between childcare duties and employ- tainable inclusion of people experien- itself seems to exacerbate the rise of ment. “As many as 80% of these inac- cing poverty, both parents and child- lone-parenthood.40 tive young mothers would like to work ren, as opposed to, often insufficient,

32 europe’s youth between hope and despair cash-for-care schemes.44 However, if labour market participation is considered an important remedy against social exclusion and child poverty, measures are urgently needed to improve work-life balance in order to support reconciliation of employment with family, as well as decent wage levels, particularly for the lower segments.

The family is protected by a set of human rights frameworks, amongst which are the Revised European Social Char- ter (ESC 1996) of the Council of Eu- rope and the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFR 2000). The ESC enacts, amongst others, the right of employed women to maternity protection, the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection, and the right of workers with family responsibilities to equal opportunities and equal treatment.45

Moreover, the UN adopted the Sustai- nable Development Goals as a common framework for inclusive, just, and sustainable global governance. In its fifth goal, caring duties and their relation to the formal labour market are explicitly mentioned: “Recognise and value unpaid care and domestic © Isabel Corthier / Caritas Belgium work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate”.46

Caritas works at country and Euro- pean level on measuring the fulfilment of these obligations that States have My parents are from Albania, but I was born in committed to by ratifying these Social Greece: My parents have lived in Greece for many Covenants. Caritas organisations also years until the crisis spread and they decided that provide new ways of tackling emerging social challenges by constantly we had to go back to Albania: I didn’t like that innovating their programmes targe- choice, since I feel Greece is my country. I took a ting the most vulnerable. plane and came back to live here. Now I’m paying an inexplicable curse. My master degree and my post specialisation do not help me at all in finding a job, and nobody wants to hire me. Young user of Caritas Counselling Service, Athens, Caritas Greece

33 young migrants and refugees

enough to participate in society and makes them fall into destitution and I have been living in Italy for 4 years. I came to Rome rely on the charitable sector to survive. to study, sent by my family and relatives, in order to get a degree in nursing. At University, it was not so The Netherlands publication reports easy because my Italian was quite poor at that time. how young immigrants suffer discrimination on the labour market. Because of the war and poverty in my country, my family could not support me anymore and they stopped In most of the country reports, of- sending me money. After some period, I had to choose fering opportunities for migrants whether to go back home or to stay in Italy. I decided and welcoming refugees has been to stay, but I had no money for university. highlighted as a priority. In general, the survey findings from the Caritas Abdulaih, 26 years, from Afghanistan, Caritas Italy member organisations show that the right to equality and non-discrimination is one of the three rights identified as those most difficult to realise urope faces major challen- Caritas Finland relates the difficulties for young men and women with a mi- ges related to providing for migrants entering into the labour gration background, together with the social services to all, inclu- market whilst being confronted with right to housing and the right to work. ding migrants or asylum language barriers, and every so often seekers. Some European with issues of mental health due to the countries have only begun to be coun- journey from war zones or regions de- Young migrants: In most European Etries of destination in the last decades serted by utter poverty. countries, the proportion of youth and are still adapting to their duties with a migrant background is rea- to ensure the full social integration Caritas Cyprus describes that refugees ching the figures of one out of three and the respect for the diversity of all are excluded from the housing market. or one out of two young residents.47 people, including those with a migrant Both the figures of early school-leavers background. Discrimination, also re- The Greece report stresses the politi- and people not in employment, edu- garding access to services, has to be re- cal dimension and insists that the so- cation or training are higher for young jected. Both State and society have to called refugee ‘crisis’ is being abused migrants than for other youth. From provide a level playing field that allows by right-wing populist to confront 2007 to 2013, the proportion of all young people to pursue their aspi- poverty-stricken Greeks with people young people neither in employment rations. States also have to support the fleeing from wars in the Middle East nor in education and training (NEET most vulnerable, including the newly or Central Asia. EU-28) increased significantly. On arrived, in catching up with the others. average, the increase in the NEET rate Caritas social workers in Belgium In addition, asylum is a basic human in these seven years was 4.8 percentage report widespread practices of discri- right and Europe has to live up to its points. However, there is a significant mination. Youth with migrant back- international obligations to be a wel- difference in NEET rates between grounds, face a number of social and coming society for refugees and bene- the immigrant population of young cultural challenges at school, at edu- ficiaries of subsidiary protection. people and the non-immigrant popu- cational and vocational training, in the housing and labour markets. For lation: young migrants born in a non- Non-discrimination and asylum are example, regarding the housing mar- EU country recorded an even higher key principles in a number of human ket, there is significant discrimina- increase (5.6 percentage points) than rights conventions. Besides they’re tion based on racial grounds. A male non-migrants (2.6 percentage points). being an obligation, we witness in with Turkish or Moroccan roots will Seen from another perspective, this Caritas how successful integration in 14% of the cases not even get an same issue, the gap between young can enrich communities, in all di- appointment to look at a house on the people by country of birth, increased mensions of the word. However, the private rental market. over time: The difference in NEET Caritas Cares! country reports display rates between migrant and non-mi- a desperate picture of social exclusion, The UK report describes that the grant young people was 7.4 percen- disadvantages and discrimination of meagre weekly income support to tage points in 2007, but in 2013 it migrants and refugees. young refugees does not allow them had reached 10 percentage points.

34 europe’s youth between hope and despair The same applies to figures of early school leavers, defined as leaving roma youth school after reaching lower secondary Roma youth face further problems when it comes to social education: 22.6% of the population inclusion. They are often discriminated against and their with a migrant background as compared to 11% of the native-born po- backgrounds - often from poor families and low educational pulation. Likewise, comparing figures levels – suppose further difficulties in accomplishing education of employment rates between young and finding employment. The Czech, Romanian, Belgian, people born in an EU country and French, Bulgarian and Italian country reports relate this young people born outside the EU situation. In general, the Roma population suffers strongly from shows a difference of nearly 5 percen- discrimination. It is very difficult for most of the Roma youth to tage points for boys and more than 10 access quality education; often they are concentrated in specific percentage points for girls.48 In sum, schools. In general, school dropouts are high. This, together with whilst equal opportunities were a social exclusion, translates into a general lack of opportunities. challenge before the crisis, the last decade has further accentuated inequa- Roma girls and young women face particular challenges. Often lities between migrants and non-mi- the marriage age is low, as is the age of first-time pregnancy. grants in all measurable aspects. On This makes a strategy for higher education and labour market top of issues of social exclusion, the di- initiatives more difficult for them to complete. Figures of mension of discrimination is an additional obstacle. Combined, this makes school dropout are particularly high for this group. Likewise, for a dangerous mix. In this regard, unemployment is high. Caritas, in cooperation with the the European Economic and Social authorities, is working towards non-discrimination and adapted Committee has criticised in a recent 55 services for social inclusion. opinion on the European Pillar of So- cial Rights that the scope of construc- tion of the new Social Pillar does not include migrants and asylum seekers. This is a matter of concern, especially considering the difficult situation of migrant and refugee youth.49

Young refugees: in the last years the increased arrival of refugees has ge- victims of human traficking nerated intense political debate. The number of first time asylum appli- A number of member organisations reported on the rights cants per year rose steadily in the last violation persons that are illegally transported from one country decade, and multiplied by more than to another, typically for the purposes of forced labour or six, from below 200.000 to over 1.3 commercial sexual exploitation. Most of these victims of human million in the peak of 2015. The most trafficking are youth and suffer shocking abuses. Apart from numerous group amongst refugees are the victims of sexual exploitation, Caritas Germany calls the youth, followed by children. Both age attention towards forced labour and other exploitative schemes, groups make up well more than 75% such as coercion to begging or stealing. These latter forms are of all refugees in most of the European 50 less observed and more difficult to detect. Sometimes they are countries. This means that societies have to offer perspectives for educa- hidden under refugee contexts. Caritas calls upon the European tion, training and labour market inte- authorities to strengthen vigilance, reinforce the implementation gration. Holding these young people of the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in in a limbo of forced idleness, separa- Human Beings and devise integrated approaches between social tion from their non-migrant peers and services, civil society actors and law enforcement agencies. exclusion from public services of em- Mutual learning at European level is paramount for an effective ployment, education and health will response.56 not only destroy their potential and create deception but will waste human capital for both Europe and the countries of origin.

35 © Gaël Kerbaol / Caritas Europa

In its daily interactions with mi- Likewise, the European Fundamental The Sustainable Development Goals grants, Caritas observes, throughout Rights Agency has outlined the dan- (SDGs) provide a global framework Europe, the hardships migrants face gers of excluding certain groups of for a sustainable and just future. This in their struggle with their integra- migrants from accessing basic services, framework defines certain rights for tion and social inclusion processes. such as health services. It argues that migrants as well. Amongst these are: Migrants are often victims of hostile fully integrating migrants, regardless Target 8.8: “Protect labour rights and and discriminatory treatment, as they of the administrative status, into sys- promote safe and secure working en- are commonly “blamed” for Europe’s tems of primary healthcare, preven- vironments for all workers, including economic problems and perceived as tion and treatment not only is more migrant workers, in particular women a threat to the receiving society. Cari- cost-effective, but also ensures the migrants, and those in precarious em- tas considers this tension between the right to health of migrants, together ployment”. Target 10.3: “Ensure equal economic interests of migrants and with resident populations.53 opportunity and reduce inequalities of those of the vulnerable residents to outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices be the result of economic failure and With the aim of fostering independent and promoting appropriate legislation, competition for limited government and fulfilling lives, Caritas cooperates policies and action in this regard.”, and support. Hence, promoting social with migrant and refugee youth, most Target 10.7: “Facilitate orderly, safe, investment and devising strategies to of whom are in severe situations of so- regular and responsible migration and finance inclusive social protection sys- cial exclusion and poverty. The Caritas mobility of people, including through tems, policies and programmes are vi- Social Model has as its second pillar the the implementation of planned and tal for enabling cohesive environments promotion of inclusive labour markets well-managed migration policies.” that foster migrant integration.51 The for work as a source of well-being. As targets of the Europe 2020 Strategy part of this strategy, Caritas advocates on poverty, employment, and edu- that: “Antidiscrimination policies in- cation can only be reached when an crease opportunities for labour market inclusive approach in education and participation of marginalised groups, employment services is developed that such as Roma or migrants, as well as responds to the particular needs of all the equal participation of women and service users, including migrants.52 men.”54

36 europe’s youth between hope and despair young people with disabilities

ur member organisations report that young people with disabilities have severe difficulties in accessing equal opportunities in terms of Jason, Oeducation, employment and housing. a young person with Asperger syndrome, Austria reports that youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses, both men- attended a specialist training-centre for approximately tally and physically, have significant 3 years. The supports there were unstructured, and challenges to enter into employment. without timeframes. He says he was ‘basically left Whilst an increasing number of residents, including many young people watching documentaries all day’. Two different with disabilities, is not in the position education-based programmes followed this. He had to compete in the first labour mar- mixed experiences in placements: it worked when staff ket, a protected labour market would prevent these people from slipping in took the time to support and explain things to him, patterns of complete dependency. but he also had poor experiences ranging from being misunderstood to being ignored right through to being The Portugal report notes that, frequently, schools are not prepared to bullied. In one workplace, Jason reports that staff include pupils with disabilities. It ignored him when he requested help. ‘They were a bit further explains how the disability rude when I would ask them things – they wouldn’t benefits system contradicts with the objective of active labour market inte- show me. They would walk on past… not answer me. gration, setting conflicting incentives It was kind of stressful’. of either opting for these benefits or integrating into the labour market. Jason, Social Justice Ireland

TheGreece report explains that young people with disabilities were hit directly by the economic crisis and by government imposed cuts due to austerity measures. employment services and measures to disabilities in 2011 was twice as high TheIreland report lays out that people assist employers to increase job oppor- (at 30%) as compared to their peers. with disabilities have the highest risk tunities for persons with disabilities as The rate of integration - and exclu- of poverty, deprivation and consistent well. Despite having ratified the UN sion respectively – has a great va- poverty rates. Convention on the Rights of Persons riation between European Member Caritas Bulgaria suggests that limited with Disabilities in 2010, the National States, the East and South-East Eu- access to educational institutions of Education Law of Romania, approved ropean countries being at the end of 57 young persons with disabilities seve- in 2011, does not include any reference the line. rely restricts their opportunities to to inclusive education. Meanwhile, participate in society and enter the la- boys and girls with a disability still Caritas advocates for making the so- bour market in equal conditions. The suffer intense social exclusion, as ma- ciety inclusive for everyone, particu- government still has to devise an effec- nifested in discrimination, social isola- larly the most vulnerable. In terms of tive strategy of integration and social tion, bullying, intimidation or harass- disabilities, the three pillars of Caritas protection of people with disabilities. ment by students without disabilities. Social Model – family, labour markets and social protection – have to The Romania report exposes a com- be coordinated and mutually rein- plete failure of an integration policy Eurostat figures on disability and force themselves.58 that starts at the school level. Schools integration indicate that the crisis are not accessible. Neither are they has exacerbated social exclusion for As the global framework for a sustai- prepared to cater for young pupils people with disabilities. The rate of nable and just future, the Sustainable with special needs. This extends to NEET amongst young people with Development Goals (SDGs) provide

37 © Jindřich Štreit / Caritas Czech Republic clear guidance on how to integrate with Disabilities (CRPD 2006) – pro- people with disabilities in various di- vides for an effective entry point to mensions. Amongst these are: Target debate on how States fulfil their obli- 4.5 “By 2030, (…) ensure equal access gations. Within Europe, it is worth to all levels of education and vocational mentioning that quite a few countries training for the vulnerable, including still have to do a lot of catching up persons with disabilities (…).”, Target in terms of integrating persons with 8.5 “By 2030, achieve full and produc- disability, particularly youth, fully in tive employment and decent work for all society. Failing to do so, contributes women and men, including for young to their higher poverty rate. That go- people and persons with disabilities, vernments provide for inclusive en- and equal pay for work of equal value.”, vironments does not depend on the and Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower available financial means, but on the and promote the social, economic and political will to do so. political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status”. The SDG framework – together with other legal conventions such as the European Social Charter, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and the Convention of Rights of People

38 europe’s youth between hope and despair notes

37 The data reflects the perceptions grounded in Ca- ritas’ social work. It cannot, however, be extrapolated to having statistical significance. See the section on methodology for more details.

38 Ruggeri/Bird 2014, Oláh et al 2017.

39 EC2015d.

40 Bontout et al. 2015; Carson et al. 2017; Oláh et al 2017.

41 EC 2013c; Ruggeri/Bird 2014; Bontout et al. 2015; Carson et al. 2017; Oláh et al 2017.

42 Eurofound 2013, 1; See also EC 2013c; Ruggeri/ Bird 2014; Bontout et al. 2015; Carson et al. 2017; Oláh et al 2017.

43 Eurofound 2016a, 37.

44 Eurofound 2013, EC 2013c; Ruggeri/Bird 2014; Bontout et al. 2015; On the debate between basic incme support for mothering tasks vs. labour market activation combined with childcare offers, see Carson et al. 2017; Oláh et al 2017.

45 CoE 1996, paragraphs 8, 16 and 27 respectively; for CFR see EU 2000.

46 United Nations 2015.

47 Establishing accurate numbers is a difficult task due to citizenship regulation as well as the presence of undocumented migrants. On measuring indicators on immigration integration, see ESN/MPG 2014.

48 EUROSTAT Data Set Young people neither in employment nor in education and training by sex, age and country of birth (NEET rates); See Eurostat 2014: Statistics Explained Young People - Migration and So- cioeconomic Situation: Brussels.

49 EESC 2017, 3.

50 EUROSTAT Data set Asylum applicants by citizenship; See Eurostat Statistics Explained Asylum Statistics, 2017.

51 For more information on Caritas Europa proposals and practices see http://www.caritas.eu/sites/ default/files/welcome_2016.pdf.

52 Picum 2014, Picum 2015.

53 FRA 2015.

54 Caritas Europa 2016, 20.

55 EC2016j, see http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/roma/index_en.htm.

56 For more information on Caritas Europa’s work on human trafficking, see http://www.caritas.eu/document/trafficking-invisibles-en.

57 Eurostat NEET statistics, see also Eurostat Statis- tics explained – Disability Statistics.

58 Caritas 2016.

39 how effective are current policies directed towards young europeans?

This chapter observes the European Youth Strategy and the extent to which it achieved to put the focus on the particular needs and demands of the Euro- pean Youth. It then gets closer to where these policies are implemented at the EU Member State level.

40 europe’s youth between hope and despair european youth strategy

ince 2010, Europe has a pro- Pillar of Social Rights.62 However, Ca- per youth policy, building up ritas believes that youth should be in on former developments.59 greater focus in the Semester Process. The current European Youth Strategy is valid from 201o In 2013, the Commission launched to 2018 and has a 3-year programmi- the Youth Guarantee and the related Sng cycle.60 EU legal competence on funding mechanism the Youth Em- the issue is limited within the current ployment Initiative (YEI). Member legal framework, which has an impact State governments have rapidly taken on EU level instruments to encourage up the Youth Guarantee, being pu- implementation of the Youth Strategy shed by the European Semester pro- by the Member States. The Strategy is cess and significant funding in both divided into two angles: proper pro- YEI and European Social Fund (ESF). grammes (“specific initiatives”) and It represents one of the most speedily cooperating with existing sectors on implemented European initiatives.63 youth specific issues (“mainstreaming However, despite the efforts, the actual initiatives”). Its main instruments are implementation of the Youth Gua- fostering mutual learning, generation of rantee has not yet unfolded its full po- evidence, knowledge exchange and Eu- tential, and remains particularly weak ropean-wide consultations. A flagship in reaching out to the most margina- report – the European Youth Report – lised. Thus, a recent report by the Eu- is published every three years. The prio- ropean Court of Auditors states, “none rities of the programming cycles have of the Member States had yet ensured been on youth employment (2010-12), that all NEETs had the opportunity to employability, inclusion and participa- take up an offer within four months tion (2013-15), and equal education, which would help them to integrate job and participatory opportunities in into the labour market in a sustainable inclusive communities (2016-18). way.” Furthermore, it calls the national governments to attention that “more effort is needed to support those young The Youth Strategy manages to get people who are most detached from some attention on the specific needs the labour market”.64 and demands of youth as such. Howe- ver, the policy agenda is still set within The Youth Guarantee owes its name re- the established division of competen- cognition to the mixture of the urgen- cies, what would be “line-ministries” cy of the youth unemployment crisis, in a national context, namely educa- the simplicity of the goal and targets, tion, employment, health, culture, and the education and public employment and the rapidly allocated funds. A re- 66 so on. The priorities, described above, services’ (PES) sector. As seen from cent report on NEETs by Eurofound indicate that the youth agenda rather the ground in our operations, Caritas celebrates the impact of the NEET follows the employment agenda, as welcomes the initiatives but notes that concept in raising public awareness and opposed to developing a particular in- both education systems and employ- mobilising policy action and public re- tegrated strategy for the young people. ment services still have a long way to sources. It also calls on the necessity to go to offer effective and integrated disentangle the concept, to analyse its support to youth to facilitate their This is reflected in the fact that “youth” heterogeneity and to discover the rea- as such, and “youth policy” barely co- lities that lie beneath. The report thus inclusion in the labour market. Ca- mes up in the European Semester pro- claims that the concept has been able ritas is particularly concerned about cess and does not form part of the eva- to raise specific attention on certain the risk that populations that are hard luative grid.61 One main achievement sub-groups, such as young mothers or to reach will fall behind even more. is to put forward specific indicators for young people with disabilities.65 Beyond education and employment youth within the Eurostat reporting, services, targeted social measures and and some of these, namely the NEET Without doubt, the youth employ- social counselling work should there- figures, have been integrated in the ment crisis and the reaction by the fore complement the activation pro- Semester Process and monitoring of European Institutions to establish a grammes in order to work for inclu- the implementation of the European Youth Guarantee has shaken up both sive and cohesive societies.

41 © Caritas Italy

For the first time since the end of World War II, the perspective for achieving a better life than their parents begins to vanish for young Italians. Caritas Italy

The first evaluations about the perfor- exist in the offer of opportunities for thus even aggravates the gap between mance of the Youth Guarantee and quality employment or traineeship the socially excluded and those who its funding mechanisms are coming between core European States and the can make use of the opportunities of- out.67 Figures on employment and periphery. This counteracts the pro- fered by the Youth Guarantee.68 placements in youth traineeships and mise of upwards convergence, expressed internships seem to be improving. in the foundations of Europe and set However, the quality of jobs and wage out in its two basic Treaties. levels remain of great concern. Much of the Youth Guarantee seems to be The Youth Employment Initiative geared towards quantity. This means creates concerns around the preca- programmes focus merely on the nu- riousness of employment and the mber of people placed, notwithstan- possible substitution of regular staff. ding alarms about the low-skills level, Likewise, some of its actions have been the precarious working conditions singled out to target the “low hanging and the limited pay that often does fruit”, which means an approach to not allow for a decent living. This is include those young people with bet- even exacerbated when applying a ter- ter educational achievements and bet- ritorial perspective: huge differences ter skills sets in the programmes, and

42 europe’s youth between hope and despair the effectiveness of national policies

n 2016, the Council of the physically, have significant challenges European Union called upon entering into employment. The Bel- the European Institutions and gium report relates that differences in its Member States to pursue poverty risk between the educational an integrated approach towar- levels have increased sharply between ds combatting poverty and fostering 2005 and 2014. Caritas social workers Isocial inclusion.69 An overall and in- highlight in the Czech Republic re- tegrated approach to combating po- port, the lack of opportunities for jobs verty and social exclusion is also – to- compatible with raising small child- gether with the allocation of adequate ren – especially for parents with lower funding - a crucial element in the educational levels and no professional conclusions of the European Com- experiences. This is heightened when mittee of Social Rights of the Council combined with difficulties accessing of Europe when assessing if Member childcare due to the lack of service of- States respect article 30 of the Revised fers. The Germany report presents the European Social Charter: the right to syndrome of “Disconnected Youth”, a be protected against poverty and so- group of young people that has been cial exclusion. Such an integrated ap- identified and characterised by a com- proach would consider each specific plexity of social problems whilst ha- situation at the household level from a ving lost the connection to social secu- holistic perspective. It would recognise rity and social assistance systems. They the obligation of all public policies - live in precarious living circumstances such as employment, health and long- and housing conditions and often term care, reconciliation of work and have addiction and/or mental health family life, education and housing – to problems. The Malta report argues address the very particular risks of po- that the current school system is rigid verty for women and men throughout and does not facilitate employability. the life cycle. This calls upon to re- In general, the reports clearly lay out configure the often siloed approaches how the focus on young women and and, particularly for those of youth men is often not person-centred but age, to integrate the public policies of partitioned in different systems that income support, education, social ser- are not able or willing to cooperate. vices, employment services and youth This generates loopholes through work into a personalised package. which many youth fall.

Whilst Caritas shares the general idea Education, employment services and to offer tailor-made solutions, expe- social work have to offer solutions to rience from our member organisations youth at neighbourhood level. A key demonstrates that a huge margin for question is how this kind of social po- improvement still exists and that the licy innovation can be realised within most vulnerable are particularly at the current structures. New contrac- risk of falling through the safety net tual relationships have emerged since additional criterion. Whilst market of services and social transfers. Failing the late eighties in all European coun- forces strongly enter in the provi- to reach out in a comprehensive man- tries. Private, for profit service provision, with mixed results, the State is, ner is particularly damaging when the ders have gained great market power. without doubt, the duty-holder that transition from child to adult has to However, lately, new organisations ensures social rights. Therefore, it be mastered and the course is set for promoting social economy and bene- should never hand over the control 70 the future. ficiary-driven providers have entered over the services offered. Building the market as well. Beyond ideologi- partnerships is essential. The Caritas country reports reinforce cal blueprints, these modes of provi- the need for such an integrated ap- sion need to be considered in terms of Caritas organisations are well posi- proach. The Austria report points to cost-effectiveness, capacity to innovate tioned to contribute towards the ne- the scarce opportunities for disabled or and responsiveness in the realisation of cessary changes that facilitate the tran- chronically ill. Youth who are disabled rights, particularly for the most vulne- sition to person-centred assistance. and chronically ill, both mentally and rable. Labour standards should be an Our proximity to the target groups,

our international network, and our improved, in terms of opening the value-driven volunteering structures administration to take on new modes situate Caritas in a prominent place to of provision, listening to first-hand ex- be part of both policy formulation and periences while devising new policies, the actual service provision and work and entrusting civil society actors with with the people. implementation.

In this sense, Caritas appreciates, at European level, the spaces offered for consultation and the effort to base policies on evidence and make them measurable by initiatives such as the scoreboard. However, in some Member States civil dialogue can be

44 europe’s youth between hope and despair notes

59 European Council 2009. The successive key documents on European Youth Policy are EC2012c, EC2012d, EC2015a. The EU Youth Strategy built on the policies developed around the European Youth Portal launched in 1991 and a respective European Commission White Paper of 2002: A new impetus for European Youth. See the further work by the commission, EC2009, EC2010c.On European Youth Policy and its critics, see Paolini 2013, EAPN 2014, Equi- net 2017, European Youth Forum 2015, Youth Policy Labs (no date).

60 EC2012c, EC2012d, EC2015a, EC2015c.

61 See on the policies that are assessed in the Se- mester Process the table “Policies covered in the 2017 country-specific recommendations”, CE 2017g.

62 EC 2017d.

63 See for the Europe 2020 Agenda: CE 2010a. The Youth on the Move Strategy: EC2010c, The Youth Guarantee: EC2012a, 2012b, 2015c, 2016a; Euro- pean Council 2013 For a discussion on the Youth Gua- rantee see Bussi/Geyer 2013. The Youth Guarantee was preceded by the Youth Opportunities Initiative (YOI) (EC2011a) and the Commission’s Youth Employment Package (EC2012).

64 ECA 2017, p.71 and p.72.

65 Eurofond 2016a.

66 Leigh Doyle 2015, Luminita 2016.

67 Ecorys / PPMI 2015, EC2016a, EC2016i.

68 See EC2016a, EC2016i; Ecorys / PPMI 2015; ECA 2017.

69 Council of European Union 2016: Combating poverty and social exclusion: An integrated approach, 26 May 2016, 9273/16.

70 The European Public Procurement Directive of 2014 (European Union 2014) introduces the concept of “good quality price” and leaves the administration the choice to opt out of the general framework, as social services are considered to be essential public goods.

45 a european pillar of social rights

outh poverty and exclu- and fiscal consolidation measures are summarised and reshuffled in the “Eu- sion have been a major weighted far higher than those that ropean Pillar of Social Rights”.73 Now European concern in would protect basic social rights. It they are framed as: the last decade. Per- is a shared responsibility to avoid || Equal opportunities and access to sistent youth unem- that “Europe” is being perceived as a the labour market; ployment is a scandal that puts a whole threat as opposed to a guarantee and generationY at risk. As demonstrated in advocate of social rights at Member the previous chapters, Caritas witnesses || Fair working conditions; State level. In a single market, social great stress on young people, particu- challenges can no longer be addressed || Social protection and inclusion. larly those in situations of vulnerability by individual States alone. and social exclusion. The situation for There has been intense debate on the young men and women in the last de- legal nature of the European Pillar of cade has worsened in many areas, such In 2008, in light of the outburst of Social Rights, whether the Pillar is ac- as when accessing employment, expo- the Great Recession, the European tually about “rights” and if it can gene- sure to precariousness and previously Commission called for policies of rate obligations on the Union and the unobserved low wage-levels, rising adequate income support, inclusive Member States that can be measured housing prices, welfare cuts, vanishing labour markets and access to quality and claimed. Experts have pointed out social service offers and family indebte- services. This package, dubbed “Active that it is actually not about “rights”, dness, amongst others. Apart from the Inclusion”, should have balanced the but – far softer – “principles”. The sheer numbers, the territorial pattern economic policies in the age of fis- European Pillar of Social Rights and – dividing Europe in a well-off centre cal consolidation with a social policy its twenty principles are a roadmap, versus a distressed periphery – puts non-binding recommendations to the component.71 Again, in 2013 when into question the promise of conver- Member States, particularly to those approving the “Social Investment Pac- gence, one of the founding principles within the Euro zone. However, when of the European governance. kage for Europe”, the European Par- examined within the European Se- liament called upon European Institu- mester process and supported by peer Not being up to the task to fulfil the tions to ensure that “the establishment learning within the Open Method of promises of the European Social Mo- of European economic governance is Coordination these principles might, del has contributed to disenchantment complemented by improved social go- over time, generate a general frame of with the European project amongst vernance”.72 Today, this series of social reference for State parties and of enga- young Europeans, as austerity clauses initiatives of the last decades is being ging civil society.

47 People experiencing poverty have less ‘mays’ and more ‘need tos’ than other people. They need to go to meetings, they need to be on time, they need to eat healthy... On the other hand, people with money may be too late, may go where they want and may eat what they like. Anonymous Caritas service user, Caritas Belgium

The linkage to human rights table to their obligations towards so- and national level on basis of timely in- frameworks and other international- cial rights. It allows the civil society to dicators and involving all stakeholders. ly acquired obligations is not clearly oversee their performance. How the Benchmarks and minimum standards established. All European Member Social Pillar and its principles will re- can help to attain upwards conver- States are parties to a number of Co- late to these frameworks and translate gence. Minimum standards should venants and Treaties. Amongst these into measurable and enforceable social monitor the principles on fair working are, at international level, the Co- guarantees is still to be defined.74 conditions and the provision on mini- venants on Economic, Social, and mum income. Cultural Rights (CESR 1966), and Caritas Europa acknowledges the po- the Conventions on the Elimination tential added value of the European of Discrimination against Women Pillar of Social Rights. The initiative (CEDAW 1979), on the Rights of the can be a contribution to promoting a Child (CRC 1989), and on the Rights more social market economy, linking of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD the instruments of a market economy 2006). At European level, there are with the principle of solidarity and the the Revised European Social Charter common good. Implementation of the (ESC 1996) of the Council of Europe principles will be the key challenge. and the EU Charter of Fundamental The EU should fully exercise its com- Rights (CFR 2000). To these, at glo- petencies and focus on adopting more bal level an international consensus CSRs in the field of social policy. Mo- has recently agreed upon the Sustai- reover, an adequate minimum income nable Development Goals (SDGs scheme directive should set minimum 2015), with distinct commitments standards ensuring that everybody on social protection, labour standards can participate in society. EU labour and equality. All these instruments law needs to be updated and stren- have their respective reporting, moni- gthened with regard to new forms of toring and complaints procedures and employment and the reconciliation of bodies. Accomplishing social rights is family and work life. But most of all, measurable, in terms of policies, sys- successful implementation of the Pillar tems, outcomes, fiscal and budgetary will depend on Member States’ action, allocations. This makes States accoun- which will need to be monitored at EU

48 europe’s youth between hope and despair SWI-18-Caritas20-Notes.indd 48-49 618/01/18 15:24 notes

71 On the Commission’s Active Inclusion Commu- nication see: EC 2008.

72 On the Social Investment Package see: EC2013a, EC2013b, EC2013c, European Parliament 2013.

73 On the European Social Pillar see: EC2016f, EC2017a; EC2017b, European Council 2016; ILO 2016, EAPN 2016, EAPN 2017.

74 On the legal debate of the EPSR, see EESC 2017, Lörcher/Schömann 2016. On the Internatio- nal Human Rights Conventions and its bodies, see the webpage of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBo- dies/Pages/HumanRightsBodies.aspx. On the Revised European Social Charter, see CoE 1996; EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, see EU 2000. On measurabi- lity of Social Rights, see OHCHR2015, CESR 2015, CESR 2016.

49 SWI-18-Caritas20-Notes.indd 48-49 618/01/18 15:24 conclusions and recommendations

n the last decade, the pressure mination and equality of opportuni- put on young people has in- ties, but also will sustain, in the long creased significantly. This ge- run, European societies as plural, in- neration is likely to be the first clusive and fair. Over the last decade, worse off than their parents. the promise of the European project Making them pay the bill for the cri- to establish cohesion within societies Isis appears to be an act of intergene- and upwards convergence in the eco- rational injustice. In consequence, a nomic as well as social performance of priorities. The European Pilar of So- number of rights have become more Member States has been severely ham- cial Rights is a promise against rising difficult for youth to access. Amongst pered as inequality rises, extreme po- disenchantment across Europe. This these are housing, work and education. verty has returned and social mobility is, without doubt, the right approach. These patterns are even more acute in between generations has slowed down. It should be strengthened by aligning Central and South Eastern Europe. policies to the existing Human Rights The European Youth Policy has been obligations and the commitments de- Young, single mothers, particularly helpful to visualise the age bracket of rived from the global Sustainable De- when having a lower educational at- 16-29 to the general public and the velopment Goals (SDG) agenda. It is tainment are particularly at risk of so- policy communities. However, it has to be determined if politicians, both cial exclusion. The inclusion of young not yet been able to put an integrated in Member States and European insti- people with a migrant background perspective on the aspirations and tutions, will walk the talk and deliver and the welcoming of refugees is a rights of young women and men in programmes that enable youth to ful- task that not only ensures non-discri- the centre of European programming fil their potential.

51 recommendations to the european institutions and member states

Caritas Europa calls upon the Euro- 3. Ensure decent jobs and fair wages || Address structural discrimination pean Union and Member States to for young people: by abolishing specific thresholds effectively address the challenges faced (e.g. minimum income) or particu- || Create employment considering by young people as described in this lar means-testing on young people the decency of work: focus on qua- report: access to education, employ- (e.g. on access to social benefits), lity of jobs created by the Youth ment, housing, and to fight discrimi- as currently practiced in some Guarantee by considering wage le- nation, including targeted measures Member States. vels and preventing precariousness; for the most affected groups of youth: apply the principle of non-discri- young single parents, young migrants 5. Improve family support for mination and ensure equal oppor- and refugees, and young people with vulnerable young families and in tunities. disabilities. particular single parents: || Establish adequate minimum wage || Ensure access to affordable and In order to address the identified levels, ensure decent working condi- quality childcare and education. challenges, a coherent youth policy tions, and extend social protection should include the following building to all workers, including those in || Provide a monthly child allowance, blocks: atypical employment relationships with an increased amount for fami- and with short-term contracts. lies on a low income. 1. Ensure access to housing: || Recognise skills and qualifications || Provide accessible family counsel- || Establish a European system to of migrant and refugee youth ac- ling services, parenting support ser- monitor housing policies and de- quired in their country of origin or vices and family centres. velop indicators for an observatory transit. for rent and access to housing. || Facilitate work – family life ba- || Use the potential of social economy lance. || Ensure timely means-tested access initiatives for the creation of jobs adapted to the most vulnerable to quality, appropriate and affor- || Ensure the legal right to maternity youth. dable social housing. leave of at least 15 weeks, as well as parental leave of at least 6 months. || Implement the EU principles || Forbid evictions, in particular of for a Quality Framework for || Allow a number of days per year of families with children, when there Traineeships. is no alternative but homelessness. special paid leave for care work in 4. Ensure inclusive and holistic the family. 2. Ensure access to education: social service provision: || Ensure a minimum income du- || Ensure free primary and secondary || Integrate social services, employ- ring longer periods of leave for care education for all and free tertiary ment services and education to work. education at least for the most di- make social work targeting youth sadvantaged students. more effective, and contribute to || Make the time spent on care work an inclusive approach. eligible for the calculation of pension rights. || Enable the re-entry of school dro- || Promote a mix of integrated, ade- pouts by increasing the prestige of quately funded services, together 6. Implement targeted preventive vocational education and training with public and private provisions and crisis intervention policies: (VET). to foster social inclusion. || Apply decisive early interventions a. Invest in dual learning to reduce || Offer one-stop shops for young for vulnerable youth, in particu- early school leaving and foster the people. This includes the implemen- lar, young offenders, youth facing transition between education and tation of national integration strate- addictions, and young people with the labour market. gies for migrant and refugee youth. mental health issues.

In order to be effective, design, deve- || Use the flexibility clause of the The EU and Member States’ should lop, monitor and implement policy, in stability and growth pact to allow confirm their commitments to the consultation with young people and Member States to exempt priori- principles enshrined in the European civil society organisations representing tised social investment, on the basis Pillar of Social Rights by encouraging their interests. Build on existing policy of CSRs, from the calculation of Member States to ratify and imple- instruments, namely, the EU Semes- national budgetary expenditure.75 ment the Revised European Social ter Process to ensure that the County Charter as the social constitution of Specific Recommendations (CSRs) || Make the best use, in an efficient Europe and to accept the Collective respect and promote implementation way, of the Youth Guarantee and Complaints Mechanism. of the principles of the European Pil- of complementarity with other EU lar of Social Rights, in order to guide instruments and measures, inclu- Member States in developing a com- ding a Child Guarantee. prehensive strategy. In order to be sustainable, such a In order to maximise its impact, en- youth policy should be coordinated sure adequate funding to implement a with a strategy to fight child and fa- coherent youth policy: mily poverty on the basis of the 2013 EC Recommendation on Investing in || Continue the Youth Guarantee and Children, on the principles enshrined maintain at least the same amount in the European Pillar of Social Rights, of funding for the European Social and tooled up with an effective mea- Fund (ESF) in the next EU Mul- suring framework, such as the social notes tiannual Financial Framework. scoreboard, while also being part of a 75 Exemption should be conditioned by requiring broader anti-poverty strategy, aiming Member States to present a strategy that meets the || At least 30% of the ESF should be ear- at realising the Sustainable Develop- conditions described under points 1 to 4 above. The marked for the fight against poverty. priorities should be selected from the building blocks ment Goals. listed below.

53 annex i methodology of the report

he starting point for organisations. Specialised consultants and open response. The questionnaire all Caritas action is on social policy and social inclusion as- also aimed to decipher member organi- the observation, liste- sisted the research process.77 A research sations assessments regarding a set of po- ning and encounter seminar was held in March 2017 with licy documents (European Commission with concrete people in policy officers from all participating Recommendations, European Semester need, in poverty. In order to act with Caritas member organisations in order documents, etc.) and the implementa- Tand accompany people and communi- to harmonise concepts and streamline tion of these in the respective countries. ties in the best possible way, listening, priorities. As a principal tool, a ques- observing and discerning of the sur- tionnaire was sent to Caritas Europa The replies of the 17 member orga- rounding reality is at the core of Cari- member organisations. The question- nisations to the questionnaire have tas’ style of doing.76 The methodology naire, filled in in April and May 2017, been elaborated into country reports used to compile this publication was a contained 17 blocks of questions, inclu- and serve as a basis for the arguments joint exercise between the Caritas Euro- ding detailed sub-questions of the fol- presented in this publication. They re- pa secretariat and the Caritas member lowing types: multiple-choice, ranking flect the grassroots experiences of the

54 europe’s youth between hope and despair 17 member organisations involved. In of poverty from one generation to the order to compare Caritas’ key observa- next.78 The Caritas Model is based on tions with state of the art research, a three pillars: series of secondary literature and official statistics were consulted, allowing || The family as a vital cell of society for a structuring of the observations and primary safety net; into a systematic framework, leading || Inclusive labour markets, recogni- to concrete policy recommendations. sing the value of work and people’s contribution to society; and Hence, the main data is derived from an inquiry to Caritas’ member orga- || The social protection system as an nisations undertaken in April/May essential solidarity mechanism en- 2017. It is based on the ongoing ana- suring the well-being of society as lysis of recent literature on poverty and a whole. social exclusion within the respective countries undertaken by the technical The findings of the country reports are staff and, most notably, the lived ex- assessed against this conceptual matrix. periences of the interventions of Ca- The publication intends to describe the ritas and the permanent contact with situation of youth on the background beneficiaries. It therefore reflects the of the recent crisis. We refer to “youth” perceptions grounded in Caritas’ social as young women and men aged 16 to work. It cannot, however, be extrapo- 25. In some cases or countries, this age lated to having statistical significance. bracket is extended up to 29. We refer to “crisis” as to the protracted finan- Caritas has developed a European cial and economic crisis that started Social Model that aims to effectively in 2008 and led to broader issues of reduce inequalities and eradicate po- societal participation, the effectiveness verty. A particular focus is on preven- of social protection and the legitimacy ting and diminishing the transmission of political systems.

notes

76 For more information on the approach, see http://www.caritas.eu/sites/default/files/caritas_cpo_ handbook_en_final_0.pdf.

77 Fresno, the right link [fresnoconsulting.es].

78 Caritas 2016.

55 annex ii social economy initiatives supported by caritas

garage solidar’auto lead member organisation The aim of the project is to be accessible for people with financial difficulties to either repair their cars or to help them buy a used car. SolidarAuto’s main caritas france objective is to combat social isolation and unemployment by increasing the (secours catholique) mobility of people facing social or economic difficulties.

Total beneficiaries The garage provides repair services and used cars at discounted prices for 3700 low-income families. The repairs are carried out by professional car mechanics. People are also encouraged to donate used cars to the SolidarAuto. Location France The SolidarAuto network is formed around a charter and a governance mo- Website: del that leaves autonomy for individual companies that are member of the http://www.solidarauto38.fr/ga- network. rage-solidaire/

magdas essen (like that food) lead member organisation Objective: magdas ESSEN (like that food) caters for residents and guests of caritas austria Caritas care houses as well as kindergartens and other Caritas facilities. magdas ESSEN’s objective is to provide high quality, yet homemade food with finest Total beneficiaries ingredients, while creating jobs for people with limited job opportunities. 38 Expected results: Currently, magdas ESSEN provides food for approx. 1,500 Website: persons per day, while being aware of the responsibility of catering for people http://www.magdas.at/essen/ who are not or no longer able to cook for themselves and contributing to kee- ping their quality of life as high as possible.

Main activities: Operating a modern catering kitchen with highest production standards, while providing jobs for people with limited opportunities and creating high quality, homemade and delicious dishes.

Results achieved: Establishing a catering kitchen creating jobs for people with otherwise limited job opportunities.

As part of the magdas Social Business group, magdas ESSEN’s goal is to be self-financing, while providing jobs for people with limited access or opportunities to enter the first labour market. At magdas, we prove that economic and social matters can be combined and create a meaningful business model. Many of the dishes are homemade and cooked following traditional and tasty recipes – using natural ingredients without using artificial additives. We believe that regional, seasonal and organic ingredients are the foundation for savoury dishes.

56 europe’s youth between hope and despair cortijo covaroca caritas diocesana A hostel and a camp dedicated to environmental education and rural tourism de albacete located in Nerpio Cultural Park, in the heart of the Natural Reserve of the Sierra de las Cabras. lead member organisation The main goal is to bring ecotourism to groups of all ages so that caritas spain people enjoy an unforgettable coexistence in an eco-lodge that allows Partner organisation – European them to learn about the rural world and its traditions, as well as surpri- National Caritas Caritas Spain sing environment, environmental and landscape of this municipality. Cortijo Covaroca also cares about people, as a company of employers pro- Total beneficiaries moted by the Fundación El Sembrador. 11 The benefits obtained are reinvested in the attainment of jobs for people in Web: situations of or are at risk of social exclusion. http://www.cortijocovaroca.com/

social farming lead member organisation Social farming includes a plurality of experiences and practices, which combine the use of agricultural resources with social activities. The experiences in Italy caritas italy can be summarised in five major areas of activity: Location Italy || Funding and/or promotion of agriculture companies, with the aim of giving employment to disadvantaged groups, such as former-prisoners, drug users, Total beneficiaries migrants, refugees, etc.; 1,640 || Rehabilitation and care in the agricultural sector for people with disabilities Total amount of services: with a mainly socio-therapeutic purpose; 82 (48 dioceses). || Recreation and quality of life (aimed at people with mild special, with social weblink and recreational purposes, including special forms of rural social experiences of social peri-urban vegetable gardens for the elderly);

|| Education (aimed at educating young people on environmental and other issues);

|| Services for everyday life (e.g. agri-kindergarten or day care services for the elderly)

Alongside the five objectives outlined above, social agriculture projects promoted by Caritas in Italy add another social element: farming products can be used to support Caritas food service (canteens, food distribution, etc.).

Local communities and people excluded from the labour market (social gardens, support responsible tourism, recovery of land and production capa- cities, use of organic farming, production of food and use of funds for Caritas activities, activities and workshops for children and students).

57 cooperatief ondernemen in nederland - coin lead member organisation A cooperative part-time entrepreneurship within cooperative business incu- bators is an innovative concept, launched in 2013 by the Tientjes Academy caritas netherlands supported by Cordaid. (cordaid) Cordaid Netherlands encourages cooperative entrepreneurship of people Other partner organisations with low incomes. Together with partners from industry and the (local) community, Cordaid supports initiatives for cooperative entrepreneurship SMHO with knowledge and coaching, and access to expertise, networks and, if ne- Total beneficiaries cessary, funding. 250 People, who may also be young, start working part-time. The members focus weblink on their strengths and talents, the cooperative assists them with things like administration, training, supplies and housing. The entrepreneurs save a part of their turnover and declare their expenses; their spending power improves. They establish new social networks useful for their business and personal relations. The members can stay on welfare whilst making a turnover. Part of their turnover is paid out to the local authority to repay their welfare benefits.

It is a sustainable business model, which empowers people and is beneficial for the municipalities and the community. It promotes social participation and independence and reduction in public costs. Cooperative entrepreneurship offers people work and income perspectives and promotes social cohesion. By developing small enterprises they can leave poverty behind, participate more fully in society and contribute to the quality of life in their own neighbourhood or city.

The original project, launched in Breda with local funding and 13 people from very different professional backgrounds has now turned into a best practice example for the rest of Netherlands (and is now expanded to 25 different cooperatives in 4 different regions of the country).

59 list of acronyms acronyms

CESR Centre for Economic and EP European Parliament OECD Organisation for Economic Social Rights Co-operation and EPSR European Pillar of Social Development CFR EU Charter of Rights Fundamental Rights (2000) OHCHR Office of the High ESC Revised European Social Commissioner for Human CoE Council of Europe Charter (1996) of the Rights Council of Europe CRPD Convention of Rights of PES Public Employment Service People with Disabilities EU European Union (2006) SIP Social Investment Package FRA European Union Agency CSR Country Specific for Fundamental Rights UNCRC United Nations Committee Recommendations in the on the Rights of the Child European Semester Process ILO International Labour Organisation VET Vocational education and EAPN European Anti-Poverty training Network ISCED International Standard Classification of Education YEI Youth Employment EC European Commission Initiative NEET Not in Employment, EESC European Economic and Education or Training YG Youth Guarantee Social Committee country codes

AT Austria EL Greece MT Malta

BE Belgium FI Finland NL The Netherlands

BG Bulgaria FR France PT Portugal

CY Cyprus IE Ireland RO Romania

CZ Czech Republic IT Italy UK United Kingdom

DE Germany LU Luxembourg

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64 europe’s youth between hope and despair “I dream of a Europe that is young, still capable of being a mother: a mother who has life because she respects life and offers hope for life … I dream of a Europe where young people breathe the pure air of honesty, where they love the beauty of a culture and a simple life undefiled by the insatiable needs of consumerism, where getting married and having children is a responsibility and a great joy, not a problem due to the lack of stable employment.” Pope Francis, 2016, when he received the Charlemagne Prize

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