Case study on the Youth Participatory Research on Education Quality in CEE and the CIS Innovative practices, lessons learned and recommendations

This case study looks at the methodology and key findings behind ‘A Study of Adolescent and Youth Perspectives on Education Quality in the Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Region’, commissioned by the UNICEF Regional Office for Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

This innovative research study focused on promoting the direct participation of adolescents and youth in research, advocacy and programming. Youth were engaged at many levels, including: planning and research, media and communications efforts to strengthen youth influence on decision makers and policies, and follow-up activities to the study. The youth programme focused specifically on Chechnya (Russian Federation), Georgia, Kosovo and Tajikistan.

The purpose of the study was:
- To investigate the impact of fragility on education quality in Chechnya (Russian Federation),
Georgia, Kosovo and Tajikistan, and its impact on adolescents and youth;
- To analyse adolescent and youth views from a regional perspective in order to identify cross-
cutting regional trends concerning the impact of fragility on education quality; and
- To identify the areas of education quality in most urgent need of attention in each
geographic context.

The ‘Adolescent and Youth Perspectives Research’ and the case study are strong steps towards keeping the promise to young people that their future dreams and educational needs will be realized. They are also strong reminders that youth participation is more than an effective and strategic approach; it is a wise investment in young people.