The project is in line with the field specific priorities in the youth sector and is aimed at providing means for fostering a stronger participation of the young people in the democratic and civic life in Europe as well as broadening and deepening their political and social participation from local, through national and up to European level. The main objective of the project is to promote the active citizenship of young people by creating an innovative intelectual outputs - Analysis and report of the youth engagement, Study methodology for research of youth engagement, Guidelines for youth engagement - Handbook, E - learning modules for youth engagement. The envisaged online platform can be viewed as a ‘participatory space’ – a place where young people can come together to explore and develop their own ideas and go on to meet with decision makers. It shall be a space for dialogue and reflection where young people can get to know the decision makers and vice versa, where barriers can be broken down and issues discussed. There is a growing concern at political level and enough evidence to indicate that young people have been turning away from established forms of democratic participation, for example increased abstention from voting and decreasing membership in political parties is indicating that young people are disengaging from “traditional” forms of participation and finding “alternative” or “innovative” forms of participation to replace them. The participation of young people in decision-making processes – be they political, civic, civil society or other – fosters their active citizenship, enhances their inclusion, and strengthens their contribution to the advancement of democracy. It is essential, therefore, to foster this participation and the main goal of the project is to support young people’s (positive) attitude to influence decisions in democratic processes – be that at national, regional or local levels – and to increase their involvement in the development of inclusive and peaceful societies. Specific goals and objectives of the project, relevant to youth participation: - Increasing the influence young people have on decision making in a public body; - Increasing the voter turnout amongst young people; - Enabling public bodies to consult with young people through new, modern media; - Encouraging decision makers to be more receptive to youth participation; - Educate the educators in formal, non-formal and other settings on the wide range of approaches to youth participation emphasizing the importance of children and young people having an opportunity to engage and learn about democratic decision making from an early age;
The CIAC project pursued a multifaceted mission with a set of critical objectives. Foremost among these was our commitment to addressing the issue of youth apathy and disinterest in civic activities and political decisions. Our approach focused on providing young people with the essential resources, tools, and an enabling environment for active participation. Through rigorous research, methodology development, guideline creation, and e-learning module provision, we endeavored to empower youth with the knowledge and skills essential to engage in public decision-making processes. Furthermore, the project aimed to tackle the challenges young people encounter in accessing their social rights, confronting social exclusion and discrimination, and countering the proliferation of fake news and propaganda. The ultimate aspiration was to foster a more inclusive, dynamic, and democratic society by amplifying the voices of young individuals and motivating their active involvement in shaping the future.
We applied for this project because it addresses the pressing need to empower and engage young people in social, political, and civic decision-making. Over the last four decades, there has been a growing concern about youth apathy and lack of interest in civic activities. It is crucial to provide them with the resources, tools, and environment to participate in democratic life actively. With the challenges young people face today, such as limited access to social rights, social exclusion, discrimination, and the impact of fake news, it's essential to promote their involvement not only in daily life but also in shaping political decisions. As diverse lifestyles and identities become more prominent among young people, flexible and issue-based forms of participation, often enabled by digital media, have gained importance. The project aims to tap into these opportunities to enhance democratic and civic participation among young people, aligning with European values and contributing to a more vibrant and engaged society.