Young people are changing. We're listening
Footprints is an international research project that follows the new generations across faith, work, and relationships — with rigour, curiosity, and respect.
Founded at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce in Rome, Footprints brings together researchers from four continents to study young people aged 18 to 29 through surveys, focus groups, and expert dialogue — phase by phase, year after year.
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Young People thinking about Life, Work, Faith, and Society
In a rapidly changing world, young people are redefining how they relate to family, work, faith, and society. Footprints seeks to understand these changes in depth, beyond slogans and stereotypes.
HOW DO WE LISTEN?
Global Youth Survey, Focus Groups, and Expert Dialogue
Every two years we conduct an international survey and a series of focus groups, followed by expert workshops and publications that feed back into academic and public conversations.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Insights for Those Who Guide and Serve Young People
Our findings are meant to serve teachers, parents, Church leaders, youth workers, and policy‑makers who want to accompany young people with better knowledge and greater respect for their freedom.
Recent articles
Discover our latest posts and curated articles exploring how young people live, question, and renew faith and meaning today.
One Single Study in Three Phases
1st Phase: FAITH AND RELIGION
Gen-Z 'spirituality' on the rise?
Following two decades of forecasts anticipating a steady and irreversible process of secularization, recent international survey data indicate a resurgence of interest in religion—most notably in Catholicism—among younger generations across diverse cultural contexts.
2nd Phase: Work & Civic Engachement
Young people, work, and civic engagement
New coming international survey of 9,000 young people shows a strong sense of the dignity of work in new generations.
Save the Date!
The results will be announced on May 13, 2026, at a public session at the University of Santa Croce in Rome. The event will be streamed online.
Presentation of the results of the survey from the second phase of the Footprints study
WHEN: May 13, 2026
TIME: 11:30
WHERE: Aula Alvaro del Portillo. Università della Santa Croce
Free admission until all seats are filled
+ INFO
To reserve a place and obtain more information about the event, please contact our press office.
CONTACT: Alina Bajal
MAIL: communication.research@pusc.it
3rd Phase: Core Relationships
Family bonds, love & friendship
The third phase of the Footprints study will be launch in 2027, expanding our long-term exploration of young people’s values, aspirations, and spiritual journeys across diverse cultural contexts. This new phase will focus especially on young people’s core relationships: friendship, family, and love, exploring how these bonds shape their identity, choices, and hopes for the future.