Fragmentation is stalling youth policies

The KLGI Institute, within the framework of the LGA Empower programme, held the first meeting of the thematic group “Education, Youth and Innovation”. This session discussed the group’s objectives and work agenda, with a view to addressing challenges and advocating for the improvement of municipal policies.

The focused discussion highlighted the critical issues in this thematic area, and it also became clear that interdependence and overlap have layered the problems, making them difficult for municipalities to overcome. These chain problems stem from financial shortfalls, legal ambiguities, the lack of sustainability in this field and the absence of a strategic map for action and coordination.

In practical terms, therefore, the ad hoc and disconnected approach of institutions and other mechanisms does not ensure sustainable growth and development, does not guarantee inclusiveness and, above all, is not in step with regional and European trends. Left on their own, municipalities are failing to increase the dynamics of action, build social cohesion and achieve sustainable human development.

Therefore, in its work objectives and action agenda, the thematic group will focus on addressing coordinated, inclusive and proactive policies that promote interaction as a means and form of strengthening youth capacities.

This is to be achieved by addressing the need to create a concept of self-sustainability in the thematic area; a proactive approach by institutional mechanisms; making this field attractive to the private sector; strengthening the concept of sustainable human development; integrating good practices; strengthening innovation and CSR; and aligning investments so that they strengthen this field.

In its first phase, through its thematic groups, the LGA – Empower programme aims to engage in focused discussions, advocacy and the addressing of sustainable sectoral policies and programmes, advancing functional policies and providing recommendations and options for actors engaged at the local level.

The programme is supported by the Norwegian Embassy