Youth are the drivers of social change, but their voice often remains unheard. A survey conducted in the municipalities of Strumica and Gostivar reveals serious challenges to the participation of young people in the creation and implementation of local youth policies.
The anonymous online survey was carried out by the Strumica Women’s Organization and the Initiative for Civic Integration (IGI) from Gostivar, within the framework of the action “Youth Activism for Feminism”, part of the project “United for Active Citizenship” of the NGO Infocenter, financially supported by the European Union.
The survey covered 200 girls and boys aged 16 to 25, in both municipalities. The survey was conducted in September this year, and the goal was to determine the level of youth involvement in local policies, and whether municipalities take into account the different needs of girls and boys equally when creating programs and strategies.
The survey probed the attitudes and perceptions of girls and boys to identify their different needs, interests, as well as challenges for improving the status and role of youth in local communities.
The research showed that a whopping 90% of young people in both municipalities have never been consulted in the creation of youth policies. Only 10% of them have participated in activities organized by civil society organizations, while institutions rarely show initiative for direct involvement of young people.
Of particular concern is the fact that a high percentage of respondents (70% in Gostivar and 59% in Strumica) are not interested in such processes, which indicates apathy and distrust of local authorities.
Girls in both municipalities reported feeling unsafe in physical and digital spaces due to various forms of gender-based violence, such as sexual harassment, psychological violence and hate speech.
Boys, on the other hand, highlighted the harmful role of the large number of betting shops and the easy availability of narcotics, which create additional risks to their health and well-being.
Boys and girls face different problems and challenges in their local communities and have specific needs, but both lack space for socializing and socialization, cultural-entertainment and sports-recreational activities, and they also believe that the problem of air pollution disrupts their health and quality of life.
The survey in the municipality of Strumica included 100 young people over 16 years of age, girls and boys living in urban and rural areas and of different nationalities. The majority of respondents were aged 17 (47%), and the least over 18 (13%).
The majority of young people from Strumica cited safety and security as the biggest problems they face. They are also concerned about their mental and physical health, and complain about insufficient cultural and sports activities.
“Girls do not feel safe and secure due to their greater exposure to various forms of gender-based violence – sexual harassment and sexual violence, psychological violence (humiliation, threats, intimidation, etc.), as well as hate speech on the Internet. On the other hand, physical violence among boys affects them not feeling safe and secure in the environment in which they live. All these problems are also related to the challenge of preserving the physical and mental health of young people,” says Lence Hristova from the Strumica Women’s Organization.
As many as 92% of young people in Strumica were not included or consulted by the local government in the process of designing youth policies. Only 8 out of a total of 100 people surveyed participated in activities organized by civil society organizations – educational workshops and debates.
The survey also showed that more than half of the respondents or 59% are not at all interested in participating in consultative processes organized by the Municipality.
“One of the factors influencing this situation is the lack of information among young girls and boys about the opportunities and mechanisms for participation in these processes. In Strumica, there is a Local Youth Council and it is one of the mechanisms for involving young people in the development of policies and in the decision-making process, but dissemination of information about such and similar mechanisms is necessary. On the other hand, young people do not believe that with their involvement they can cause certain positive changes in the local government. These reasons, as well as general apathy, affect the low level of involvement and interest in youth participation,” believes Hristova.
According to Hristova, the results of the survey showed that it is necessary for municipal authorities to consult young people in order to identify and develop an appropriate approach to motivate them and increase their participation in the development of local youth policies and in the decision-making process.
A total of 100 young people over 16 years of age were surveyed in the Municipality of Gostivar, of which 90% were not included or consulted by the local government in the process of designing youth policies. Only 10% participated in workshops and debates related to issues of interest to young people.
According to the results of the survey, a high 70% of young respondents are not interested in participating in consultative processes organized by the municipality.
“The lack of greater youth involvement and action in decision-making by local authorities is due to several reasons: Local authorities do not sufficiently involve young people, and on the other hand, a large part of young people do not express interest in participating in consultative processes, which shows that there is also a lack of trust or motivation among them. The ratio between insufficient initiatives from the municipality and weak interest among young people creates a situation where their involvement remains at a low level,” says Maja Hristovska from the Initiative for Civic Integration (IGI) from Gostivar.
Young people from Gostivar believe that the municipality should be more active, inform them and encourage their participation in the creation and implementation of gender-sensitive youth policies. According to them, it is necessary to organize youth forums, gatherings, cocoa and platforms for communication and exchange of ideas.
The biggest problems for girls in Gostivar are related to a healthy and safe environment, and to social and cultural life. According to them, the Municipality should create measures for protection and prevention from sexual violence, a safe and secure space for greater interaction and socialization, as well as activities for the development of sports and recreational content and a richer cultural and entertainment life in its youth strategies and programs.
For boys, the biggest problems are also related to their safety, health and social life. They believe that the municipal authorities should develop and implement measures to prevent physical violence in the community. According to them, measures to prevent easy access to betting shops for minors are necessary, as well as activities to protect the mental health of young people who are addicted to gambling.
The common needs of the boys and girls from Gostivar are aimed at solving the problem of air pollution, which disrupts their health and quality of life. Both do not feel safe and secure due to the huge number of stray dogs and demand that the Municipality take humane measures to solve this problem.
According to the results of the survey, young people believe that the municipalities do not care about their needs, which leads to their apathy and increases their distrust of local authorities.
Young people also believe that local authorities should make greater efforts to encourage youth participation, through various forms of sharing information about opportunities and mechanisms for involvement in consultations on issues of interest to them.
However, the analysis also showed that there is potential for improving youth policies in Strumica and Gostivar. With greater transparency, inclusion and a focus on gender equality, municipalities can create conditions for real youth participation and strengthening the youth community.
Author: Maja Jovanovska
The article has been prepared with the support of the European Union within the framework of the project “Alliances for Active Citizenry”. The content is the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
