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Local Elections England: 2026Youth inequalities: Case studies and resources for local government
Sid Hayward, LGIU
Curated case studies of ways governments can tackle youth inequality and disadvantage. Examples this week come from Columbia, Japan and the U.S.
Curated case studies of ways governments can tackle youth inequality and disadvantage. Examples this week come from Columbia, Japan and the U.S.
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Policy innovation and inspiration examples from the local government sector
USA: Groundbreaking program provides pre-education to all 4-year-olds in New York
New York City’s early years program has acted as a model for several years for accessibility and addressing inequality. The Universal Pre-Kindergarten scheme provides free, full-day pre-K education to all of the city’s 4-year-olds. It aims to close the educational attainment gap and offer school access to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The initiative has been reportedly acclaimed by parents and the wider sector for its high quality, receiving awards and visits from leaders from other cities aiming to emulate it. 90,000 children are currently served by pre-K and 3-K services.
New York City
USA: Mayors lead massive Californian recruitment push for underserved young people
In 2022, the mayors of California’s 13 largest cities launched the #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps, an initiative to recruit thousands of underserved young people in critical issue areas across the state. The $150 million scheme was devised to help boost opportunities for young Californians between the ages of 16 and 30, specifically those on a low-income, unemployed, out of school, justice-involved, engaged in mental health or substance abuse system, and/or transitioning from foster care. The 13 participating major cities hired youth either directly or through community organisations to tackle local priorities, such as climate change and food insecurity. Participants received at least $15/hr, with many gaining access to services like case management, resume preparation, job training, and other benefits.
California Volunteers
COLUMBIA: Providing access to cut off impoverished kids through unique public transport
In a bid to connect marginalised neighbourhoods with the city centre, Medellín has created two innovative public transport projects. Its MetroCable is the world’s first urban aerial cable car system, providing easy access to the CBD for predominantly disadvantaged hilltop communities, home to steeply sloped city slums, or comunas, where residents faced a long and dangerous commute down the mountainside to end up in the city center; a trip that took hours on foot. In addition, the city created Escaleras Electricas, outdoor escalators also placed in the comunas. Before, some residents faced a stair climb of nearly 28 storeys to reach the top of their hill, and now can experience journeys that take mere minutes, again connecting inhabitants from all socioeconomic backgrounds and ability to the city.
Swinter
JAPAN: The community cafeterias that provide free/low-cost meals to children from low-income families
In Japan, one in seven children are in poverty. To help address this, in recent years, local governments have embraced the concept of “Kodomo Shokudo” – community-driven cafeterias that provide free or low-cost meals to children from low-income families. Kodomo Shokudo can operate out of any facility, from houses to restaurants to temples, and offers healthy food and lessons on nutrition, table manners and cleaning up. The national government subsidies councils to support their operation. These services have become increasingly popular since the pandemic, with 4,960 in operation in 2021. Their rapid growth reportedly symbolises their effectiveness in offering food security, social interaction and community support beyond the capacity of regular social services.
Forbes
Resources on addressing youth disadvantage and inequities
Report: Disadvantage facing young people with disability in Australia: what’s changed over time?
This report presents data on inequalities faced by young people, age 15-24, with and without disability from 2001 and 2018. It find that while outcomes and inequalities for young people with disability improved in educational attainment, income poverty, feeling safe and material hardship improved, across issues including health, community and social connectedness, and employment, they worsened.
Report: The unfair divide: disadvantage faced by young people who are homeless
The additional challenges faced by young people who have experienced homelessness versus those who have stable housing are explored in this report. These include mental health issues, loneliness, socialising issues, and strained or poor family relationships. It makes several recommendations to improve homelessness prevention and protection among young people and boost housing options.
Report: Wall to wall support: joining up public services and housing for vulnerable children, young people and families
This Demos report argues that public services must be more effectively joined up. In breaking down these silos, it argues, and creating a new citizen-centred approach to service delivery, can society move towards a preventative state that delivers personalised, high-quality support for vulnerable youth and their various needs.
Report: Youth Employment Policies in Europe
In this report, Youth Policy Labs examine various youth employment policies across European cities. They provide insights into successful programs and policies that have effectively addressed youth unemployment and inequality.
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