A report from the European project OUT4INGOV introduces key dimensions and indicators to guide the development of prototype governance models.
How can Alpine and marginal communities better understand the decisions of young people who leave, stay, or return? And what tools can local institutions use to transform youth mobility from a loss into an opportunity for territorial development?
These are the central questions addressed by the report Common Indicators to Measure the Youth Migration Dynamics in the Local Area, produced within the framework of the European project OUT4INGOV – New Generation Alpine OUT-migration Engagement FOR an INclusive GOVernance, recently completed by the Fondazione Franco Demarchi together with its international partners.
The report presents a set of common indicators designed to offer a comprehensive snapshot of youth conditions and migration dynamics at the local level. The selected indicators cover the following key dimensions:
- Demography and population – to understand generational trends and imbalances;
- Education and human capital – related to employability, education level, and civic participation;
- Economic development and labour market – with a focus on youth employment and entrepreneurial vitality;
- Public services and infrastructure – factors that influence quality of life and mobility choices;
- Youth participation and governance – including local policies, dedicated budgets, and youth advisory bodies.
The application of these indicators focused on three territorial contexts with different characteristics but all facing similar challenges: preventing youth depopulation and strengthening opportunities for young people.
Valle di Cembra (Trentino, Italy)
A mountainous area with about 11,000 inhabitants, characterized by pronounced demographic ageing (over 23% are aged 65 or older). Only 13% of residents over 25 hold a university degree, compared to the provincial average of 20.4%. Youth unemployment stands at 9.4%, higher than that of the general population, despite an overall employment rate of 69.5%. Notable gender disparities persist: while women are generally more educated, their employment rate is lower (62.7% vs. 74.4% for men).
Despite a solid economy based on viticulture and porphyry mining, the area faces the challenge of expanding professional and educational opportunities for youth. In this context, the Piani Giovani di Zona (Local Youth Plans) are a key tool to foster participation and youth empowerment.
A prototype will be developed in this area to establish a network connecting young Trentino residents and those who have emigrated, enabling the exchange of experiences and perspectives on individual and territorial development, with the goal of promoting joint activation and co-design processes.
City of Maribor (Slovenia)
With around 114,000 inhabitants, Maribor is Slovenia’s second-largest city. It has a positive migration balance and a significant presence of foreign residents (16.7% of the population). Its strong academic vocation is reflected in the 28.7% of residents over 15 holding a university degree. However, the area still grapples with high youth unemployment (13.5%, compared to the national average of 8.9%) and low civic participation: in the most recent municipal elections, only 11.7% of voters were aged 18–30.
Nevertheless, Maribor stands out for its rich and diverse civic and community ecosystem, where institutions, youth organizations, informal networks, and international partnerships collaborate actively. The main challenge is to better integrate young people into decision-making processes and unlock their potential as key contributors to local development.
A prototype for a permanent youth advisory body will be created in Maribor to support local political decision-making and promote structured youth participation.
Communauté Urbaine de Vesoul (France)
This rural territory, home to around 32,000 inhabitants across 20 municipalities, has stable demographics but faces serious challenges for young people. The youth NEET rate (young people Not in Education, Employment or Training) reaches 22%, nearly double the national average of 12%. Youth unemployment in the 20–24 age group is as high as 20%, while 30% of the population lacks a diploma or has only lower secondary education.
Despite the presence of good cultural and sports infrastructure, Vesoul suffers from low youth attractiveness, with many young people leaving for larger cities such as Besançon or Strasbourg to pursue higher education.
The area’s key challenge is to expand education and employment opportunities, boost youth participation in civic life, and make the territory more appealing for younger generations.
In Vesoul, a prototype of a Youth Migration Observatory will be developed. It will include a set of indicators, operational methods, and tools for monitoring and evaluating youth mobility trends to support responsive, evidence-based policies.
Through this work, OUT4INGOV provides local communities with a tool to understand youth mobility and migration in the Alpine space through a multidimensional lens, supporting the design of more inclusive, coherent, and effective policies.
The ultimate goal is not just to retain young people, but to transform their mobility experiences into a resource for social innovation and territorial development.