With the project, we wanted to improve understanding and increase respect for common European values, such as solidarity, diversity, tolerance and respect for basic human rights among young people in all four participating countries - Slovenia, Turkey, Serbia and Macedonia. We also wanted to strengthen the participation and active citizenship of young people in these countries - through the training, we first equipped young people with civic, social and organizational skills, and then we wanted to give young people the opportunity to use and test their newly acquired skills, to identify needs in their local communities, design and implement actions that would contribute to positive changes in the chosen area, and to cooperate with the general public as well as relevant decision-makers. At the same time, we wanted to strengthen the dialogue between youth from different countries and cultures, especially in the light of the Slovenian presidency of the EU and the potential entry of Turkey, Macedonia and Serbia to the EU. The project was therefore an opportunity for the participating youth to become familiar with the EU values, including solidarity, non-discrimination, cultural diversity, etc. that are the basis of the EU enlargement.
The project was designed and implemented in the light of the Slovenian presidency of the EU and the accession of Turkey, Serbia and Macedonia to the EU. We wanted to take advantage of this presidency by giving Slovenian youth more opportunities to learn about European values such as solidarity, inclusion, non-discrimination, cultural diversity, etc., which are also the basis of the EU enlargment process. On the other hand, the project was a good opportunity to raise awareness about the EU values among Turkish, Serbian and Macedonian youth who do not have enough knowledge about the union. Due to conservative culture in their countries, they do not have many opportunities to participate in political and social life - they live in an environment that does not encourage participation and puts them in a subordinate position compared to adults who only demand obedience. The family, schools and other institutions do not teach about active citizenship and do not encourage the development of competences that young people need for active participation in political, social, economic, cultural, etc. processes. Young people are also strongly influenced by the social media, which often promote prejudices and stereotypes about foreign cultures.