As part of the work that has been developed by the Porto Metropolitan Area (AMP) in the Youth area in close collaboration with the Municipalities, we are pleased to announce the approval of the “Youth Monitor” project within the Erasmus+ Programme.

This project represents a significant milestone in the promotion and development of the Youth Integrated Strategic Plan in the Porto metropolitan territory, focusing on the Metropolitan Monitor of Public Youth Policies. It is a crucial mechanism to support political analysis, definition and decision-making on investment and priority regarding the implementation of public youth policies.

For the first time, the AMP submitted a metropolitan application to the Erasmus+ Programme, called “Local and Regional Public Policy Monitor for Youth”, under the KA220-YOU-Cooperation Partnership in Youth action, and we are pleased to inform that this application was approved by the National Erasmus Agency and identified with the acronym “Youth Monitor”. The project will last 24 months, starting on 1 September 2023 and ending on 31 August 2025, with an investment supported in the overall amount of EUR 250,000.

Among the strengths recognised by the National Agency are:

• Relevance to the objectives and priorities of the youth area.

• Genuine and appropriate analysis of needs.

• Activities designed in an accessible and inclusive way, open to people with fewer opportunities.

• The profile, experience and relevance of the activities of the participating organisations, while including new actors and less experienced organisations in the action. 

• Ecological practices throughout the project.

The “Quality of the formulation and implementation of the project” received the maximum score of 18 values.

The Metropolitan Monitor on Public Youth Policies (Youth Monitor) will play a key role in obtaining an updated profile of the different realities of young people, of the public policies implemented and their impact, and of the investment needs and priorities, as well as in their articulation with the municipal, intermunicipal, supramunicipal, regional, national and European levels. 

This project covers different territories and prioritises inclusion and equal opportunities, incorporating a digital transition component that will enable more effective communication on local and regional youth opportunities and policies.

Decision-makers, youth representative bodies and young people’s participation forms an integral part of the process, bringing them closer to public discussion and decision-making. The project aims to strengthen positive discrimination between rural and urban youth by ensuring equal access to opportunities and levels of participation. 

The Youth Monitor is key to strengthening the link between policy, research and practice, allowing better assessment and adaptation to the situation of young people in the territory, no matter their differences.

In addition to the AMP, this project has the collaboration of key partners:

• Associação Portuguesa de Profissionais da Juventude (APPJuventude - Portuguese Association of Youth Professionals)

• Municipality of Ramnicu Sarat (Romania).

• Weiterbildung University in Krems (Austria).

• Municipality of Cinisello Balsamo (Italy).

• Diputácion de Barcelona (Spain). 

With this approved application, the AMP reaffirms its commitment to work together to promote effective public youth policies, aligned with the needs of young people and based on the active participation of all stakeholders, always counting on the continued support of municipalities and youth representative associations, which have been essential partners in this path of growth and development.