‘Schools Can Do So Much More!’— Perspectives on Democracy and Education From Youth in Challenging Contexts Across Europe

This paper explores the perspectives on democracy and education of young people aged 16 to 18 growing up in challenging contexts across six EU member states: Austria, Croatia, Finland, France, Ireland and the Netherlands. Fifty‐one participants took part in focus groups; these participants included young people from the outer borders of the European Union, metropolitan areas and those with experiences of legal trouble, substitute care or gender stereotyping. Analysis of their responses provides unique insights into how these young people—who may be considered doubly marginalized within contemporary representative democracies—perceive democracy in general and within schools. Results indicate that their understanding of democracy entails three core principles: freedom of choice and expression, equality of opportunity and collaboration. Across all settings, participants do not perceive formal education as a context in which everyday democracy takes place, which in turn clearly affects their democratic voice and agency.