The aim of the project is to harness the potential of young people by focusing on ways to build and enable their capacity for civic participation and to promote their skills in digital engagement through creative, participatory actions and role models methodology. AYE project aims to stimulate, equip and support: a. Young people to exercise their right to self-expression, to be active, and to play a role in society and in governance, to develop their critical thinking and reflection, media literacy, intercultural competence, fact-based argumentation, and advocacy, and to design positive actions by showing them ways to have influence on complex global issues within their own communities and beyond. b. Youth Educators/Workers/Leaders in facilitating and supporting youth’s active participation in the social and civic life of the community, the country and in Europe, and supporting their digital, cultural, and political participation, with approaches and competencies to train and support civic participation, democracy, intercultural competences, and human rights.
Empower Active Young Citizens to Influence Society (AYE project) adresses the issues that are most pressing for young people (world crisis, climate emergency, peace and democracy, intercultural dialogue and multiligualism, equity and inclusion). Europe has become a more intercultural society with the impact of the climate emergency having an impact on a broad range of communities. It is through young people that these issues will now be addressed they will become the adults of the future who will inherited the current challenges facing Europe. Enabling young people to connect with, express their views and be heard, enhancing their civic awareness, media literacy, ability to understand and critically assess, as well as independently create media messages become core values and skills for young people to communicate in addressing the issues. Learning from Role Models, in which they can actually see themselves, enhancing the knowledge about digital activism and training to address the current challenges critically and creatively will greatly enhance their skills. Youth workers/educator/leaders play an important role on assisting young people to take successful steps into civic awareness, activism and participation.