Research Methodology

To conduct the research, the following data collection methods and analysis were used:

1. Focus group interviews (FG), a method of qualitative research, which allowed for deeper understanding of behavior, attitudes, motives, and practices. It also allowed for the collection of large amounts of information in a relatively short period of time. A total of 12 FGs were conducted, 2 in each of the targeted societies, during June and July 2020. The target group was the regional youth, from 18 to 30 years old, with dominantly neutral to positive perception of the EU and with the experience of and/or knowledge about the participation in the decision making, policy design and/or monitoring processes on local or national level. This FG composition allowed for deeper insights and knowledge of youth participation from those who know how the participation process looks like, what are its (wanted and unwanted) outcomes, and, as the study has showed, how closely connected it is with activism. Following the similar approach, involving only those with more positive perception of the EU enabled better understanding of sources and causes of such perception, while at the same time provided space, for FG participants to, during FGs discussions, dig deeper into their own motivation, diminishing the risk of polarizing debates of pro vs. against EU narratives. This does not mean that such debates are unwanted – outsiders’ perspectives are highly appreciated as they usually provide objective insights and can challenge the thinking and experience of the opposite group - they would do more harm than good having in mind the research’s scope and objectives.

FGs consisted of 6 to 8 participants (6.3 on average), which allowed for active contribution of each participant and for the lively group dynamic. All FGs were conducted electronically, using Zoom platform. They were recorded (audio and video), and transcribed (and translated where needed). FGs lasted approximately for 120 minutes, which was more than anticipated. Average time was longer than planned to some extent because of the technical issues, but mostly because of demanding interview guide and great motivation that majority of participants expressed during the discussion. Each FG was facilitated by an experienced moderator, in a local language, using the same interview guide. The guide consisted of two levels of questions: context or introductory questions, which allowed to open up a topic, and deeper open-ended questions which allowed for more lively discussion and exchange in the group, as well as more details and clarifications.

FG participants were selected using a short online screening questionnaire which consisted of 17 questions in total, including key demographics, perspective of EU values, level of experience, knowledge in participation in the decision-making, policy design and monitoring processes (national/ local ) and contact information. Based on the responses, participants were selected through a quasi-random procedure.

2. Desk research work was conducted during July-September 2020. This research consisted of identification, collection, and analysis of existing national and local institutional mechanisms for youth participation in decision-making processes, policy development and monitoring across the region. The analysis focused on the official regulation(s) of participation mechanisms. The data was collected through the review of the official legislation, previous analysis and research conducted by national and local youth CSOs, international organizations, umbrella organizations, research institutes and other institutions involved and interested in the issue. The objective of the desk research was to identify existing national regulations and understand their scope and reach, while not getting too deep into policy analysis. Also, desk research was used to present a broader picture through the review of previous mostly quantitative analysis, of the level of youth participation across the region and the key values WB youth shares. The desk research thus provides a context in which the qualitative analysis of the FG discussions should be interpreted, particularly taking into consideration that participants were selected according to fixed criteria, meaning that their opinions and attitudes should be considered typical for that segment only (dominantly pro-EU, and at least some experience and/or knowledge about the youth participation).

Although it was already mentioned in the previous chapter, one more elaborate explanation must be provided regarding methodology: preparations, selection of FG participants, FG interviews and the analysis were taking place during the COVID 19 pandemic. This affected the study-making process, both technically and thematically. The focus group meetings were organized at the time when the first wave of COVID-19 has just passed and the second one was on its way, with the local outbreaks happening across the region and with an anticipation that the next wave would happen in autumn. This situation has significantly affected the respondents’ assessment of their own reactions and the local and national governments’ response, as well as their perception of youth reaction to this unprecedented situation. It was difficult for participants to give any predictions about how the COVID-19 experience would affect the future of youth participation because nobody knew at the time how exactly the pandemic would further develop, not to mention how long it would last. Furthermore, analyzing an ongoing global phenomenon having a significant impact on the local contexts was even more demanding, whilst most importantly – there has been nothing similar in neither personal nor collective memory of present generations, especially youth.