The RAY Network is an open and self-governed European youth research network.
A box for feedback.
Photo: Tuukka Järventausta
This box is asking for feedback at a local youth house in Helsinki.

The RAY Network (Research-based analysis of European youth programmes) is an open and self-governed European youth research network. It was founded in 2008 in by the Austrian National Agency and its consortium partner with the aim to conduct accompanying research for the European youth programmes, starting with one research project – the Monitoring Surveys of Erasmus+ Youth in Action. 

Since then it has grown in partners and in projects. The network currently involves 36 RAY partners in 34 countries. Currently there are 5 research strands, including the monitoring of Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps and other thematic projects are conducted by the RAY Network.

Since 2021, the coordination lies with the Finnish National Agency for Education in cooperation with the transnational research partner, Youth Policy Labs.

 

Duration: ongoing, founded in 2008
 
Partners: The National Agencis of Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps in Austria, Belgium (Flemish community), Belgium (French community), Belgium (German-speaking community), Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey, and their research partners
 
Research-based analysis of European youth programmes -logo, jossa R, A ja Y eri laatikoissa ja nuolet välissä
RAY Network is a long term project of the national agencies of Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps. Read about other long term projects in Finnish.
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The main objectives of the RAY Network are:

  • to measure the impact of the European youth programmes
  • to contribute to
    • quality assurance and quality development in the implementation of the programmes
    • evidence-based youth policy development in the youth field in Europe
    • the recognition of non-formal education and learning in the youth field, in particular in the context of international youth work
  • to promote dialogue between research, policy and practice
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RAY MON: Research-based analysis and monitoring of Erasmus+ Youth in Action

The aim of this project is to contribute to quality assurance and quality development in the implementation of Erasmus+ Youth, to evidence-based and research-informed youth policy development and to a better understanding of learning mobility in the youth field.

  • Starting year: 2009
  • Partners involved: all 36 RAY partners

RAY SOC: Research-based analysis and monitoring of the European Solidarity Corps

The aim of this research project is to contribute to quality assurance and quality development in the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps, to strengthen evidence-based and research-informed policy development, and to sharpen the understanding of volunteering, working, learning, training and youth activism in the context of solidarity actions of young people.

  • Starting year: 2019
  • Partners involved: 33

RAY LEARN: Strategies and practices for organisational development and learning of organisations and networks in the European youth sector

The aim of this research project is to explore strategies and practices for organisational learning and development of youth sector organisations and networks in the context of the European youth programmes.

  • Starting year: 2019
  • Partners involved: 10

RAY DIGI: Dimensions of digitalisation in the European youth programmes and development of recommendations

This research project explores the dimensions of digitalisation, document the progress of digitalisation in the European youth programmes, and develop recommendations to strengthen and support digital dimensions in youth work.

  • Starting year: 2021
  • Partners involved: 15

RAY MISS: Who is missing from the European youth programmes

This research project aims to explore who is missing from the European youth programmes – and why.

  • Starting year: 2025
  • Partners involved: 16
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You can find further information on the RAY Network on the RAY website. There you can, for example, read more about the RAY projects (including ones that have already finished) and find RAY research reports. 

You can contact Project Manager Carmen Teubl-Kiviniemi, when you want more information regarding the RAY Network. 

RAY Partner Finland

Finland is one of the partners of the RAY Network. When you want more information on the involvement of Finland, you may contact Senior Programme Adviser Lotte Telakivi.
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