The workshop introduced participants to the Equal Pillar of the NextGeneration Programme and explored how social science research can support policies aimed at reducing inequalities, promoting social inclusion, and ensuring equal opportunities for young people across Europe. Through expert presentations and interactive group activities, participants engaged with key theoretical frameworks and practical approaches to applied social research relevant to inclusive and equitable policymaking. Academic experts presented core concepts underpinning the Equal Pillar and introduced major European comparative survey infrastructures and datasets, including the European Social Survey (ESS), European Values Study (EVS), Generations and Gender Programme (GGP), and the CRONOS-3 dataset. Experts from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) also highlighted how social science evidence informs European policies on inclusion, equality, and fairness. The workshop combined theoretical input with hands-on collaborative work using real European social data and tools. Participants worked individually and in small groups to develop policy-relevant research questions, identify appropriate data sources, and outline feasible analytical strategies related to inequality and social inclusion.

By the end of the workshop, participants had strengthened their ability to apply theoretical frameworks and European social data to research questions related to social inclusion, equality, and inequalities among young people. They developed policy-relevant research questions, identified appropriate data sources and analytical approaches, and improved their capacity to communicate preliminary research findings clearly to both academic and policy-oriented audiences.