Covid19 Pandemic in Romania and the Impact on the Lives of Young People

Abstract

The theme and the purpose of this article is to show the significant role of empathy and solidarity during our Covid-19 Pandemic in Romania, an impact increasingly essential and visible in communities and among young people, youth workers or NGOs. Actions from the simple calls or safe meetings with youth workers, to fundraising and donations campaigns organised by young people for those less fortunate ones, proved that there is someone out there willing and ready to help. According to field research carried out so far, in a few romanian NGO-s working with young people, the main areas most affected in young people’s lives are their emotional health and social skills. Many young people were deprived of human interaction  they were used to before, as most activities were transferred online. The youngsters with the fewest opportunities were the group most affected. The specific risks that they are facing are social exclusion, school dropout, health and wellbeing issues, mental health issues,and even anxiety or depression.                                                                                                              These challenges as young people seek to negotiate and navigate various transitions are economic, social, educational, personal and, in some cases, professional. Young people and those in NGOs working in this sector have developed new coping mechanisms and strategies to deal with the new circumstances and uncertainties with the help of European funds for their projects, such as European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+ funds. Regarding the labour market, within education and in relation to learning, mobility across both formal and non-formal sectors, all activities were adapted to online or hybrid versions, eventually becoming the new normal. As one example, in an NGO that has a project called Empowering Youth Academy,  young people showed resilience in the pandemic situation and did not want to give up to youth work activities, even though they had to face adversities in their families, with regards to transportation or other issues, because the youth work activities were therapeutic and motivational for them. They needed a safe space to go and be themselves.                            

Observation of local realities in some youth NGO-s from Romania, reveal the fact that the resources young people need to better face the consequences of the pandemic are related to youth work and the need to have a youth centre as a safe space where they can find someone to listen, activities related to their needs and where they can even help those in need such as children from childcare centres through art therapy activities, boardgames, mindfulness etc. Public policies from national and European authorities that seek to ensure recovery and build back better are implemented by the national authorities, but there is a strong need for collaboration with youth workers and NGOs that know their communities deeply.

Additionally, there is a need to adapt an integrated system of youth policies, youth centres and youth services after the pandemic that can also address the economic, educational, personal, professional, and mental health issues among young people due to the Covid-19 pandemic.