Social trust of youth in the shadow of the depopulation process

Abstract

The article analyses selected results of an extensive study conducted as part of the ProEdUMW project − Scientific research in the service of local educational policy implemented in Ostrołęka by the Faculty of Education at the University of Warsaw. Two quantitative studies, conducted using the survey technique as part of the Ostrołęka educational observatory projects (covering the issues of teaching effectiveness, developing students’; social competences and equal educational opportunities in public primary schools in the city) and Democracy is OK! (strengthening the democratic culture of the school) were implemented in the 2021/22 school year. The first study was conducted in the eighth grades of all public primary schools in Ostrołęka, the second among students of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades of public secondary schools. The aim of the analyses of selected research problems was to acquire knowledge covering important issues for a city at risk of marginalisation and depopulation, such as: the attitude of young people to the city, their life plans, students’ trust in the institutions of the city and the state. Regardless of the positive attitude towards the city in which they study, young people do not plan to live there and leave it with very low levels of social capital. The aim of the entire ProEdUMW project was to support local educational policy, so the article ends with recommendations for school culture and practice that could help build young people’s social trust.