The open method of coordination in european youth policies : evaluation of its implementation so far and the challenges for the next multiannual EU youth strategy (2019-2027)

Abstract

The present thesis has been written as part of the Master's Degree in European Policies on Youth, Education and Culture of the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Macedonia. The aim of the thesis is to analyse the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) and how it works in relation to the European Youth Policies. The youth policies as a concept are introduced as well as the history of EU youth policies. In addition, different evaluations are presented about the EU Youth Strategy 2010-2018 as well as the OMC that the latter introduced. Finally, the new EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 with its main innovations is presented. The thesis is based on the analysis of the OMC and the European youth policies produced so far, examining papers, scientific articles and European policy documents. It also studies reports, memos and evaluation documents in order to identify the challenges of the use of OMC in the European youth policy framework. The results that have been produced will help the reader to understand how the OMC functions as a supranational governance tool of the EU also within the European youth policies. It gives insights and answers on how and to what extent the future European youth policies and the way they are governed can be sharpened to create a greater impact.