Aim: Enhancing the quality of civic participation and dialogue between young people and decision-makers through the development and implementation of an innovative methodology that supports individualized approaches to public consultations. Specific Objectives: Promote and strengthen active civic engagement among youth by identifying competence gaps, addressing these gaps, and developing selected competences, while involving youth in various civic activities within their communities. Build the capacity of organizations supporting youth policy development and implementation at different levels by equipping them with appropriate tools and enhancing the competences of staff working with young people. Raise awareness among both young people and decision-makers about the importance of inclusive dialogue in the public sphere by involving all stakeholder groups in educational and implementation activities, as well as conducting comprehensive evaluations. Provide diverse and individualized forms of support for structured dialogue initiated by both youth and decision-makers at different levels, ensuring the expansion and sustainability of such dialogue in the long term.
We applied for this project to address the growing need for youth empowerment in civic engagement across Europe. Young people often lack the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to actively participate in democratic processes and decision-making. Additionally, many youth workers and educators face challenges in accessing practical tools to foster civic competences effectively. The project was designed to address several key needs: Low Civic Participation: Many young people feel disconnected from civic life and uncertain about how to engage in community or political activities. Skills Gaps: There was a clear need to develop practical civic competences such as critical thinking, leadership, and advocacy, especially in underrepresented and marginalized groups. Educational Support: Educators and youth workers required new methodologies and resources to educate about civic engagement effectively, particularly using innovative approaches like experiential learning. Digital Tools: There was a growing demand for accessible digital tools that could assess and support the development of civic competences, making learning both interactive and engaging.