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National Session of EYP Cyprus 2023

2022-3-CY02-KA154-YOU-0001004102022Youth participation activitiesfinalized
Countries: CY|HR|BE|EL|IE|IT|RS|PL · Grant: €22,000
Reaching the policy level/dialogue with decision makersEuropean identity and valuesDemocracy and inclusive democratic participation

Objectives

The primary objective of this project was to foster the engagement of young people in policy-making. This goal was pursued by involving them in discussions concerning contemporary issues within a politically impartial, non-partisan, and autonomous context, while simultaneously equipping them with the requisite skills, knowledge, and competences. Over the course of the project, we encouraged young participants to form their own opinions on pressing matters and express them amongst their peers. Our aim was to support and empower them to find their voices, learn how to critically evaluate current issues, devise creative solutions, and be inspired by the realisation of their potential to impact their communities. Initially, a direct impact was observed on the policy-making process at local, national, and European levels. By facilitating discussions and meetings with policymakers during topic discussions and through elements like the Discussing Europe panel discussion, young participants comprehended the roles and influences of these policymakers. Concurrently, policymakers gained unique insights into the perspectives of young people on various national and European issues. Nevertheless, the influence on policy-making extended beyond the direct interaction between young individuals and policymakers during the event. It extended to the utilisation of relationships that EYP Cyprus had cultivated over the years with numerous organisations. As a member of the Cyprus Youth Council, an NGO uniting political and non-political youth organisations in Cyprus, and the Anna Lindh Foundation, as well as having the patronage of influential figures like Mr. Andreas Kettis, Head of the European Parliament Information Office in Cyprus, and Mr. Constantinos Yiorkadjis, the Mayor of Nicosia, we aimed to sustain the project's impact beyond the organised activities. Through these connections, we actively engaged with Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, the President of the Republic Of Cyprus, and other key policymakers and NGOs who participated in discussions during the project's events, as well as with project participants and representatives during the evaluation period and beyond. Additionally, in collaboration with our media partners, Antenna (a national broadcasting company), and a dedicated media and communications team, we sought to showcase the project, the participants' work, and the significance of active citizenship to the broader public. This approach presented an opportunity for indirect impact in various areas. Beyond using traditional media and social media, project participants acted as multipliers among their peers in the project's aftermath. Applying the learning-by-doing principle, young individuals developed tools for political advocacy and policy influence. The project was successful in yielding intangible results, including improved participation skills and enhanced readiness for active European citizenship among the young participants. Furthermore, participants' involvement in this project introduced them to the EYP International Network, which offered opportunities to engage with other national EYP organisations in over 40 countries, thereby participating in numerous other projects, conferences, and training sessions. Through this engagement, participants could directly apply the experience gained from the project and become part of the sustainable network of EYP volunteers who impact more than 30,000 youths across Europe annually. The project was designed to facilitate bottom-up processes, and we witnessed many participants employing their newly acquired skills to become involved in the broader EYP network. Lastly, as EYP Cyprus is part of the EYP International Network, which annually reaches over 30,000 people in more than 40 countries, the event's evaluation, conclusions, and feedback were shared with other national EYP organisations through formal channels and informal best practice sharing events. Consequently, the project holds value in aiding a pan-European network of over 40 organisations in developing their future actions.

Project partners (8)