Only one of four young Crimeans considers themselves to be European, according to poll results

The poll results illustrate the level of European identity of Crimean youth, their attitude to Europe and European values.

Main findings:

• Only one of four young Crimeans considers themselves to be European.
• The vast majority of Crimean young people believe that Crimea is part of Europe in geographic and historical terms; the identification of Crimea as part of Europe in cultural terms received less support. Opinions concerning Crimean affiliation to Europe divided roughly in half. At the same time, the vast majority of young Crimeans believes that Crimea is not part of Europe in economic terms.
• Most young Crimeans can not provide arguments to support their claim about historical and cultural belonging of Crimea to Europe. Thus, only 8% and 15% of respondents could name examples of European heritage in Crimea and Crimeans’ contributions into European and world culture respectively. Despite the fact that the vast majority of Crimean residents know about ancient Greek towns and Genoese fortresses, during the poll they had difficulties in recalling and identifying these monuments with European heritage.
• Regarding the attitude towards the EU, opinions of respondents are divided roughly in half: half of young Crimeans consider the EU as a friend or partner, the other half – as a competitor or enemy. According to observations of the interviewers, those respondents that considered EU to be enemy, frequently mentioned Russia as a friend; and those who considered EU to be competitor, frequently implied competition in sport and tourism.
• Crimean youngsters do not know what European values are. Only 12% of respondents could provide answer to this question.
• At the same time, the majority of young Crimeans support implementation of reforms to reach European standards in politics, management, law, economy, social and educational fields.
• The vast majority of young Crimeans never directly communicated with a foreigner from the EU countries (only 17% have had such experience), did not visit EU countries (only 7% visited), do not have friends, relatives or acquaintances there (only 4% have). This shows an extremely low level of human contact with other countries of Europe, or in other words, lack of integration of young Crimeans in the European space.
• Most young Crimean people would like to visit EU countries as tourists (94%) or for education (48%). Thus, a low percentage of those who actually visited the EU is rather explained by socio-economic factors than lack of desire.
• A very high proportion of those who want to emigrate (42%) or find temporary employment (67%) in the EU countries indicates that the Crimean youth is not satisfied with the socio-economic conditions of their life and understand that living standards are higher in the EU.
• Most young Crimeans have heard about the opportunities to get education in Europe. However, they are not aware enough of scholarship programs that provide these opportunities (only 9% of respondents tried to name such programs, but all of them were wrong, because the only mentioned options were AISEC and Au Pair, while they do not provide scholarships for studying). Similarly, opportunities for youth exchange supported by the EU (EU program “Youth in Action”) remain unknown to Crimean youngsters.
• Crimean youth recognize their poor English language skills – the primary language of communication in Europe. This first of all signals about ineffectiveness of school and university education. Poor knowledge of English makes it difficult to communicate with foreigners, hinders opportunities for studying and employment in EU countries and creates obstacles for receiving information directly from the European and world media (English-language segment of the internet).
• Awareness-raising events in the frames of the Europe Day are not efficient: only 12% of Crimean young people have heard about them (while they are supposed to be the primary target audience).

The poll was conducted by the Agency of Communication Technologies “Kreatida”, from October 4 to October 10, 2010 in all regions of Crimea, Simferopol and Sevastopol. 650 respondents, aged 18 to 35 years, were interviewed. The sample represents the youth of Crimea according to major socio-demographic characteristics. Statistical error does not exceed 2,2%.

Contact person: Anton Plaksun, tel. +38 050 397-92-23.

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The purpose of the project “European identity of Crimean youth” is to research, inform, and foster public discussion on the European identity of Crimea, promote interest in Europe, European values and European integration among young people of Crimea.

The purpose of the activities of Simferopol city NGO “Svitlo” is to protect legitimate socio-economic and other rights and interests of Crimean citizens, and promote development of intellectual capacity and potential of Crimean youth. Over the years of its existence, since 2005, “Svitlo” organized and conducted a large number of different awareness-raising events in Simferopol and Crimea. According to experts, youth NGO “Svitlo” is one of the most efficient NGOs of Simferopol.