Builders of Progress: The war in Ukraine through the eyes of youth

This is the first publication of the research project Builders for Progress

Policy Brief

11/05/2022

As war continues to rage in Ukraine, a new survey has found that nearly two thirds of young people in Europe fear that the conflict could spread within the EU.


Over 60% of respondents think that EU countries should spend more on their military, and almost half support the creation of an EU army. While a majority are not keen on EU countries taking military action in Ukraine if it risked nuclear conflict with Russia, there is a sizable minority, at 44%, who would support this course of action.


With EU leaders continuing to debate further sanctions and possible bans on Russian energy imports, over three quarters of those surveyed said they supported strong economic sanctions against Russia, while three quarters of those who expressed an opinion said the EU should speed up the transition to renewable energy to rely less on energy from outside the EU.


The findings are contained in a report called Builders of Progress: Europe’s NextGen “The War in Ukraine Through the Eyes of Youth”, conducted by FEPS and ThinkYoung. Between 25 March and 7 April, the survey questioned 7,367 young Europeans aged 18 to 38 from France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Poland and Romania.


Builders of Progress is a research project exploring the main concerns and hopes of young Europeans aged 16 to 38. It examines their opinions regarding a wide range of societal issues – including climate change, political participation and the European Union. The research findings intend to stimulate debate and provide informed advice on how to shape a progressive future with and for young people. The project is the successor to FEPS Millennial Dialogue project series, about which you can find more information here.


The project is conducted by the FEPS with the support of Anny Klawa-Morf Stiftung, Društvo Progressiva, Felipe González Foundation, Fondation Jean Jaurès and the Party of European Socialists (PES), and in co-operation with ThinkYoung – the research organisation that has co-ordinated the surveys and examination of the findings.

Network
Anny Klawa Morf Stiftung (AKM)
ThinkYoung
Find all related publications
Publications
15/03/2023

A five-point agenda for how development cooperation can support EU’s strategic autonomy

European Strategic Autonomy series - Economy & Trade
28/02/2023

Progressive pathways to European strategic autonomy 

European Strategic Autonomy series
23/02/2023

From the Green Deal to REPower EU

What about the EU’s Southern fossil gas suppliers?
22/02/2023

One year after the Russian invasion in Ukraine

Social democratic perspectives on war and reconstruction
Find all related events
Events
Upcoming
25/04/2023
FEPS HQ (Expert meeting - Hybrid)

The future of armaments, disarmaments and human security

Foresight series: The long-term implications of the war in Ukraine
Past
03/03/2023
Warsaw, Poland

The future of EU Strategic Autonomy

Global Progressive Forum
23/02/2023
Online

One year after the Russian invasion in Ukraine

Social democratic perspectives on war and reconstruction
Find all related news
News
26/01/2023

Grzegorz Pietruczuk is FEPS Progressive Person of the Year

FEPS Progressive Person of the Year 2023
13/01/2023

New manifesto giving international impetus to Lula da Silva’s environmental policy

FEPS President, among the 50 scientists and former politicians from Brazil and Portugal who signed the manifesto
20/10/2022

Europe’s largest Gen Z-focused research ever conducted

The Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and ThinkYoung have conducted, over 3 years, Europe’s […]
23/09/2022

FEPS President in the United Nations General Assembly

During the UNGA 77 week in New York, FEPS is expanding its global partnership. Among […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

‘No one is unemployable’: the French social experiment

by EUobserver 21/03/2023
EUobserver article on unemployment in the EU with a mention to FEPS' policy brief 'A Job Guarantee for Europe.'

Wie der Ukraine-Krieg die europäische Politik verändert

by Vorwärts 24/02/2023
'How the war in Ukraine changed European politics' Vorwärts article written by László Andor, FEPS Secretary General and Uwe Optenhoegel, FEPS Vice-President

Personalidades de Portugal e Brasil defendem parceria estratégica para o clima entre UE e Brasil

by Visão 12/01/2023
'Personalities from Portugal and Brazil defend EU-Brazil strategic partnership on climate' Visão's article about the manifesto signed by 50 personalities from Portugal and Brazil, including FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues, in support of Lula’s environmental policy

UE e Mercosul: manifesto quer tornar o “clima estável” um bem da humanidade com força legal

by Público 12/01/2023
Público's article about the manifesto signed by 50 personalities from Portugal and Brazil, including FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues, in support of Lula’s environmental policy