D3.2 Meta-report on the typology of drivers and model for social inclusion. YouCount project.

This deliverable from the H2020 EU YouCount project includes a presentation of the social inclusion cross-case analysis of the 10 YouCount hands-on citizen social science (CSS) case studies. It explores three key empirical research questions: What are young people's views on the critical issues for social inclusion? What are young people's experiences with opportunities for social inclusion in their daily lives? What new means and policies to increase social inclusion are needed? 

The primary source of data for the analysis presented in this deliverable is the final case study reports, based on a common template structuring the analytical dimensions, written by the professional researchers working on the 10 YouCount case studies. In addition, some preliminary findings from the YouCount App data analysis are also integrated.

Two main chapters (chapter 2 and 3) presents the substantive cross-case social inclusion analysis. Chapter 2 summarises significant themes of social inclusion based on the perception of young people. It includes the contested meanings of social inclusion, critical issues of youth social inclusion related to places, feeling safe, feeling discriminated and stereotyped, economic and financial concerns, and youth voices in decision-making. Furthermore, the opportunities for social inclusion in young people's daily lives, the gender dimension of youth social inclusion, empowerment processes, employability and work are all elaborated upon. Importantly, citizen social science (CSS) as a social inclusion process and space for creativity are also discussed, better means and policies young people perceive as significant contributions to enhancing social inclusion are shared. 

Chapters 3 provides an analysis of the drivers for youth social inclusion. It highlights the key features of social inclusion (such as reciprocity and communication), discusses the contextual issues of youth social inclusion (including bureaucracy, policy and basic rights issues, language, and institutional relationships), describes the psychosocial aspects of social inclusion (empathy, trust, stereotyping, and valuing each other), the role of socialisation processes, local relationships (the proximal social context), advocacy and empowerment. Eventually, it provides a multi-level psychosocial model for youth social inclusion. 

Finally, some of the main lessons learnt are shared in the concluding part. Importantly, young people's suggestions about how their participation, sense of belonging and citizenship could be increased highlighted the need to increase collaboration between young people and other stakeholders (emphasis also on inter-generational collaboration); more and better youth-friendly opportunities created where they can feel accepted (including meaningful employment); and supporting and encouraging young people's participation in local democratic processes, ensuring that under-represented voices are heard. Citizen social science as a participatory process itself can create a space for creativity and social inclusion for young people.