How can research become more open and meaningful for those it seeks to understand? This question was at the heart of CLEAR – Constructing Learning Outcomes in Europe – a Horizon project that generated new comparative knowledge on educational policies and learning outcomes, especially for young people in vulnerable situations. Codici’s role focused on testing and supporting participatory methods, helping partners explore how to genuinely involve young people and other stakeholders throughout the research.

Why Participation Matters in CLEAR

CLEAR investigates how policies shape achievement and underachievement for young people aged 18–29. But beyond analysing data, the project aims to “open up” research by creating spaces where young people, educators, policymakers and other local actors can share ideas, challenge assumptions and co-design solutions. To do this, CLEAR integrates a Transversal Participatory Approach (TPA): a framework that works alongside traditional research methods to ensure that voices often left out are heard and valued.

Participation in CLEAR goes beyond simply adding a few focus groups. It questions dominant narratives about educational success and failure, and promotes a more reflexive, inclusive way of producing knowledge.

Codici’s Support to Partners

Most partners in CLEAR had not previously applied participatory methods in their research practice, so Codici supported them through each stage. This included capacity-building sessions during consortium meetings, toolkits, and a practical Participation Design Board to help partners plan and adapt their activities. A dedicated Vademecum for Participatory Activities offered guiding questions and checklists on purpose, methods, group dynamics, language and settings.

One-to-one meetings with partners helped fine-tune plans and ensure that activities were feasible, given the available time, skills and networks. This hands-on support helped balance ambition with practicality and built confidence among partners who were new to these approaches.

Participatory Activities in Practice

Several concrete Participatory Activities (PAs) were developed. Mostly, research teams co-designed interview guidelines with local youth experts, or tested their preliminary findings with groups of “critical friends” from disciplines not represented in the project.

These activities helped research teams adjust their tools, ensure that language was clear and results were accessible to non-academic audiences. Local stakeholders could contribute as equal partners, not just research subjects.

In addition, teams created visual outputs for final events, translating academic findings into narrative formats and accessible graphics, with Codici’s support.

Innovation Forums: Discussing the Research Findings

Towards the end of the project, ten Innovation Forums (IFs) were held, bringing together around 180 participants (including policymakers, youth workers and young people) to discuss findings and share perspectives in an open, accessible setting. Codici supported the consortium in developing a clear conceptual model — the so-called “Octopus” — which defined the purpose, structure and expected outcomes of these participatory events. Conversation starter toolkits and visual prompts helped spark dialogue, while tools such as dot voting and instant polls made complex discussions more concrete and inclusive.

In cities from Lisbon to Thessaloniki, the forums demonstrated the value of creating welcoming spaces: even when formal venues were needed, efforts were made to choose accessible locations and informal arrangements. Professionals and policymakers valued hearing directly from young people about their experiences of transitioning from school to work, while young people appreciated the chance to share their perspectives and challenge assumptions.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Bringing participation into a large research project is never simple. Partners faced time constraints, busy schedules and the challenge of translating participatory insights into traditional research outputs. Some stakeholders, especially policymakers, were harder to engage consistently. However, the process showed that clear aims, shared frameworks and ongoing dialogue help build trust and keep expectations realistic.

Looking Ahead

For Codici and the CLEAR network, piloting these participatory methods strengthened our understanding of what it takes to make research more inclusive and relevant. The tools, frameworks and lessons from CLEAR will now support future Horizon projects — and, we hope, inspire more institutions to see research subjects as critical contributors to knowledge and change.