Action-research for Youth in Europe

Amplifying the Voices of Diverse Young People

In the AYE project, universities and organizations in four European countries (France, Italy, Portugal, and Finland) work together utilizing participatory action research. The work focuses on a locally defined challenging issue affecting young people. At the same time, collaboration between civil society actors and higher education institutions is being developed.

At the heart of the project is participatory action research (PAR) among various young people and groups of young people, which is Humak’s responsibility for the implementation in Finland. Mental health became the theme of Finland’s sub-implementation. Through action research, new perspectives and ideas on factors that strengthen young people’s mental health have been generated together with young people. A three-meeting youth-centered research process led by Humak’s community educator students in three different organizations working with young people and their mental health challenges was carried out between February 26 and April 8, 2025. The work with young people from Valo-Valmennusyhdistys at their premises in Lysis was implemented in collaboration between Humak and Valo-Valmennusyhdistys staff and has been longer-term.

The project has also explored the possibilities for collaboration between higher education institutions and organizations, and challenged factors that may hinder it. The goal is to create an operating culture where organizations work toward common goals utilizing the best expertise of both organizations, learning together and thereby finding new solutions. Collaboration between Valo-Valmennusyhdistys and Humak already has strong traditions, but this project has opened up opportunities for reflecting on and conceptualizing the collaboration. The aim is to unlock the power of working together in a new way.

Project Objectives

1. Promote action research conducted together with young people as a youth work method and use it to build more sustainable societies

2. Identify ‘third spaces’ as new learning environments

3. Strengthen collaboration between universities and civil society organizations working with young adults

4. Strengthen awareness of action research and young people in the humanities and social sciences