Russian Federation - Youth In The Northern Caucasus: From Risk To Opportunity

Youth In The Northern Caucasus: From Risk To Opportunity

Youth In The Northern Caucasus: From Risk To Opportunity traces the root causes of youth disenfranchisement in the North Caucasus republics and provides options for investing in this very important, yet neglected area. It also includes a qualitative survey in 6 regions of the North Caucasus, including Stavropol, North Ossetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya and Ingushetia. The study compares data for the North Caucasus youth with their counterparts in the rest of Russia, and finds that although some common trends exist, young people in North Caucasus face greater disadvantages which are magnified by the large size of the youth population in this region.

"Providing productive lives for young people in what is the poorest and youngest region of the Russian Federation is one of the main objectives of the World Bank in the North Caucasus. The reason is that we regard young people as the most valuable asset for the development and security of the North Caucasus,", says Gloria La Cava, The World Bank's Youth Program Coordinator in Europe and Central Asia, and main author of the report.

1. Promoting the SchooltoWork Transition and Youth Inclusion – Context, Concepts and Objectives

This study presents key findings on the socioeconomic situation of young peoplein the Russian Federation, particularly in the regions of the North Caucasus. It focuses onthe school-to-work transition and highlights findings that can support the development of youth policies to increase young people’s social and economic opportunities and enhance security forindividual young people and their communities. The school-to-work transition refers to the transition of young people from formal secondary or tertiary education, non-formal education or vocational training to working life.

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2. The Evolving Socioeconomic Situation of Young People in the Russian Federation

How do young people in the Russian Federation today transition to adulthood? How has this transition changed during the 1990s and what aspects of the transition do policymakers need to be most aware of? This chapter examines key dimensions of youth well-being in Russia today and highlights recent trends in education, employment, health and participation. It explores nationwide data and benchmarks, with a focus on inter-regional disparities in youth experiences. The chapter also places the situation of young people in the Russian Federation within the global context, noting how they compare to their peers in EU and OECD countries. The chapter does not provide comprehensive analysis of all youth-related trends in the Russian Federation, rather, it focuses on providing insight into key aspects of the school-to-worktransition and youth inclusion.

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3. Risks and Opportunities Facing Youth in the North Caucasus

This chapter presents a multidimensional analysis of the situation of youth in this region, identifying and exploring youth needs, risks and opportunities around the issues of school-to-work transition, healthy lifestyles, security and conflict, and voice and participation. It focuses on five North Caucasian republics (Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino.Balkaria and North Ossetia) and one adjacent region (Stavropol Kray). The findings of the chapter are based on an original qualitative survey of young people and youth stakeholders in the region.

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4. Institutional Framework for Youth Policy Development andImplementation

This chapter explores the emergence of youth-related institutions and practices inthe Russian Federation, particularly the Federally Targeted Programs “Youth of Russia”and “South of Russia.” Building on the context of youth needs presented in Chapters 2 and3, this chapter will focus on current policies relevant to the school-to-work transition and youth inclusion, with a regional focus on the North Caucasus.

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5. A Policy Roadmap for More Effective School-to-Work Transition and Youth Inclusion in the North Caucasus

This chapter concludes the study by examining the opportunities that exist to better support youth in responding to these challenges, particularly youth inclusion at entry points in theschool-to-work transition.

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