Back to search

Active Youth, Active Citizens

2022-1-BG01-KA152-YOU-0000697872022Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: BG|ES|MK|IT|CZ|RO · Grant: €21,858
Democracy and inclusive democratic participationEuropean identity, citizenship and valuesAwareness about the European Union

Objectives

The project's motivation is based on the shared activities and goals of all participating organizations. We believe that to create a stronger and more democratic Europe, it is crucial to promote active citizenship through a network of associations that advocate for tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and political participation. A needs analysis conducted among young people involved in our projects revealed several problems they face. These include a lack of knowledge about civic rights, obligations, and politics, as well as a deficiency in political culture and low youth participation in voting and other civil society activities. When selecting project partners, we consider their involvement of youth in the decision-making process within society. The democratic deficit and low turnout are not isolated phenomena limited to specific countries but are prevalent at a European level. Although youth have become more active in other forms of political participation such as protests and social movements, there is still a need to address the lack of political engagement in voting and similar activities. The last European elections in May 2019 witnessed the highest turnout in over 20 years, largely influenced by youth participation. However, civil society members understand the importance of continuously supporting and encouraging this positive outcome, especially among young people. Therefore, the consortium organizations involved in this project organized debates and brainstorming sessions with their members and up to 10 youth from their communities, focusing on active citizenship. The aim was to assess the level of knowledge and involvement of youth in the decision-making process and civic participation beyond elections. The conclusions drawn from these meetings shaped the needs and objectives of the project. Our project aims to strengthen young people's willingness and capacity to become active citizens and shape the future of their society. Simultaneously, we observe a rise in euroskepticism while young people often fail to recognize the importance of their vote. To better understand the project's needs and objectives, the consortium conducted research using various sources. Ultimately, we strive to answer the question of how we can build a stronger and more united Europe. Our project had 2 main objectives: 1. Increasing the knowledge of the 24 participants during the 10 days of the mobility on their rights and duties as citizens and how they can influence through an active attitude the decision making process. 2. Developing a positive attitude for the 24 participants during the duration of the project regarding the importance of sharing and being promoters of the citizen's rights and the way that they can influence the decision making process. The main objectives of the project were achieved through research and work conducted before and during the mobility. Presentations, debates, and non-formal activities were organized throughout the 10-day period. Participants were guided by experts in various fields such as human rights, European studies, and political science. These experts helped the participants develop critical thinking skills, raise awareness about the importance of having informed opinions, learn about European values, understand and respect different perspectives, and avoid extremist thinking. The project activities included debates, reflection sessions, trainings, and intercultural evenings. The current proposal had been previously submitted by the same applicant and had been approved. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it couldn't be implemented as planned. Recognizing the significance of the addressed topic for youth and the civic environment in EU countries, we aim to present an improved version of the previous application submitted in the 3rd round of 2020. Our goal is to successfully implement the project this autumn, as scheduled in the activities section of the mobility.

Project partners (6)