The research method is unique. Young people are hired to do research together with professional researchers. A participatory approach means that these young adults are involved in the different phases of the project. Among other things, they came up with ideas for the practical implementation of fieldwork, communication and reporting of results.
The study compiles survey and interview data collected from 20–29-year-olds. In addition to the national survey, group interviews are conducted in Helsinki, Oulu and Vaasa. The aim is to identify possible regional specificities and the views of young people speaking Finnish and Swedish, as well as speakers of foreign languages.
Research data is useful for decision-makers, educational institutions, municipal and regional developers, the scientific community and for stimulating public debate in various sectors. Lessons can be learned from unique project planning.
“We genuinely want to involve young people in this project. We work with young people hired for the project, and young adults from different backgrounds have a place to share their views on the good life and ideas Finland’s next big story should be based on. This information is useful for our country and helps solve youth problems.” says the manager Karina Jutila from E2 Research.
The project has a diverse group of partners covering several sectors. The work is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, the Finnish Trade Union Confederation (STTK), the Telecommunications Agency TELA, the City of Oulu, the University of Oulu, the City of Vaasa, the Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK, the Väinö Tanner Foundation and the Finnish Cultural Foundation’s Southern Ostrobothnia Regional Fund.
In addition, the project will be implemented in collaboration with researchers from the Vaasa Settlement, the Vaasa University Student Union, the Wasa Innovation Center and Åbo Akademi University. The practical implementation of the project will be carried out by the multidisciplinary research institute E2 Research, which will also act as an employer for the young adults hired for the project.
The project will last 12 months. The results of the study will be available in May 2022.
Source: E2 Research
Source: The Nordic Page