Desk review findings on the level of awareness, gaps in knowledge and barriers to civic participation among young people in France
This desk review report (D1.1) has been conducted building on the analysis at the proposal stage by PLACE Network on the level of awareness, gaps in knowledge and barriers to participation amongst young people from diverse backgrounds in civic democratic life and decision-making processes in France and Europe. The present national-level review serves as a foundational analysis of youth engagement in France concerning EU institutions, policies, and democratic processes. It includes a scan of the EU policies available and any existing solidarity mechanisms in the EU related to the three themes selected by young people in WP2. By systematically mapping existing knowledge, participation levels, and the barriers encountered by young people, including Third Country Nationals (TCNs hereafter) this desk review establishes the groundwork for the subsequent phases of ParticipACTION. The findings presented herein will be supplemented by primary data gathered from Focus Group Discussions and Surveys (D1.3) and findings from the national roundtables conducted in WP3 and will result in the National Level Assessment reports (D3.1). France, as a diverse and multicultural society, presents a particularly interesting context for studying youth civic engagement. The country’s rich history of political activism, coupled with contemporary challenges related to social inequalities, structural racism, and rising populism, shapes the landscape of youth participation in distinctive ways. This desk review examines the levels of civic knowledge and engagement among young people in France, with a particular focus on the intersectional impact of identity factors such as gender, migration status, and socioeconomic background. It explores how these factors affect young people's awareness of democratic processes and their participation in political decision-making, both at the national and European Union levels.
