Understanding the Attitudes and Perceptions of Young People with a Migration Background: An Appraisal of Youth Development Policies

Abstract

Young people represent a vital demographic in shaping the social, economic, and political fabric of societies. Their participation is central to global and regional policy frameworks, including the European Union Youth Strategy (2019–2027), which emphasizes empowerment, protection, and integration of young migrants and refugees. In Germany, national and sub-national policies similarly prioritize youth engagement. However, young people with a migration background continue to face barriers that limit their effective participation. This study explores their levels of engagement, knowledge, and attitudes toward youth policy initiatives. A qualitative research design was employed using focus group discussions with participants aged 12–21 years, of African, Arabian, and Eastern European descent. Snowball sampling was used for recruitment. Data were analyzed through an inductive meta-aggregation approach. Results reveal persistent gaps in policy effectiveness for migrant-background youth, including limited awareness of youth policies and decision-making processes, political apathy, racism, Islamophobia, perceived exclusion of minority groups, unequal valuation of migrants by race/ethnicity, identity crises, and lack of safe spaces. Weaknesses in policy communication and information flow were also evident. While youth development policies in Germany are innovative, they remain insufficiently inclusive of young people with a migrant background, particularly in policy design and implementation.