The primary objective of the Youth4Change project was to empower children and youth to actively participate at the political level, reflecting their needs, fostering open dialogue with decision-makers, and promoting inclusive democratic participation. The overall focus of Youth4Change centers on: 1. Educational Empowerment: Providing comprehensive civic education that equips youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in the political process effectively and responsibly. 2. Facilitation of Dialogue: Creating platforms and opportunities for meaningful interactions between young people and policymakers, ensuring these conversations lead to substantial and actionable insights. 3. Inclusion of Diverse Voices: Actively including underrepresented groups such as rural youth and disadvantaged communities to ensure a broad and representative range of voices in political dialogues. 4. Sustainability of Engagement: Developing ongoing programs and initiatives that maintain and enhance youth interest and political participation over time. 5. Policy Impact: Utilizing insights and data from youth engagements to inform and influence public policies and initiatives that cater more effectively to the younger population.
Declining levels of youth political participation pose a challenge to many advanced and new democracies. Low political engagement of young people is an issue that needs to be solved to make democracy more inclusive for everyone. Empowering youth in politics is crucial for building a more vibrant and inclusive society. Young people bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a deep understanding of contemporary issues. By involving them in political decision-making processes, we ensure that policies reflect the needs and aspirations of future generations. Although there are many ways to empower youth in politics, additional attention and specific actions should be taken when considering disadvantaged youth with fewer opportunities or from rural areas. For this reason, during the Youth4Change project, purposeful activities were implemented to work with rural youth in Lithuania, find the reasons for their disengagement in politics, and develop the course of action to increase their political participation.