Project idea This project will open up a protected space for critical discussion of current topics, challenges and processes in the EU and offer young people the opportunity to analyze existing political conditions and their own interests and to show them ways to actively shape them. In this way, they can experience the EU as a dynamic, democratic and open process. In the Model European Parliament, 150 young people from 16 German states take on the role of MEPs. In a combination of game and reality, they go through a political learning and opinion-forming process that is oriented at their own lifeworld. They develop reform ideas on eight topics selected by the young people themselves, which they discuss with politicians and feed into the political process via concrete agreements. This is a project by, for and with young people. The adult coordinators only organize the framework. Background According to youth researcher Klaus Hurrelmann, for today's youth "crisis is the normal state": Climate, Corona and now Russia's war against Ukraine with its consequences unsettle young people and blur their image of the EU and the democratic procedures. Even before that, democracy and European integration were in a crisis of confidence. Euroscepticism, nationalism and populism were on the rise almost everywhere in the EU. The crises have further highlighted how fragile an open, solidarity-based, democratic, youth-oriented Europe can be. The latest Eurobarometer (96/2022) paints an ambivalent picture of the EU. Only 44% of citizens have a positive image of the EU. Nevertheless, 62% are optimistic about the future and 71% believe they have a European identity. Young people in particular are calling for more say (Youth Survey 2022 - Flash Eurobarometer 502), especially in the European Year of Youth, although they generally know very little about their own opportunities for participation in the EU. Therefore - especially in times of crises - meetings, safe spaces and joint initiatives of youth are more important than ever. Adolescents need a basic optimism and perspectives, which they can best develop on their own by dealing with the issues in an age-appropriate way. This results in needs with regard to democracy, participation and Europe. Needs Democracy is the political and legal foundation of the EU and its member states. Maintaining and strengthening it is an ongoing task for everyone. However, doubts are currently growing in many member states, including among young people, as to whether democracies continue to be the best form of government for solving the problems of the day. Populists and nationalists try to unsettle young people with simple answers. Youth work in many EU countries has political difficulty in fostering critical civic awareness (shrinking spaces). Moreover, Corona has accelerated the process towards e-participation. Young people increasingly need digital participation skills. We are forced to rethink our social and democratic constitution and learn lessons. Because it is democracies and democratic engagement that enable young people to live responsibly in a free society. Today, Europe is the framework that increasingly influences the lives of young people. In order to find their way in Europe, they must be able to help shape their environment. The majority of young people today are socially active (Youth survey 2022) and they have drawn attention to their concerns across Europe with demonstrations against the EU copyright directive and what they see as inadequate climate policy. However, Eurobarometer surveys show that knowledge about the EU is deficient, resulting in a loss of confidence in European integration. Goal: Participation in the EU Youth Dialogue We want to use the instruments of the youth dialogue and participate in the actions to implement the EU Youthgoals. The dialogue between young people and politics will be profitable for both sides and will have a long-term effect by taking concrete political initiatives on eight topics, reaching agreements and thus bringing the interests of young people to bear. In a combination of top-down and bottom-up approach, we will, on the one hand, thematically align ourselves with the priorities of the trio presidency 2022- 2023 (Goals 3 and 10), but also work on the young people's own topics. In addition, we will also increasingly use digital participation tools and promote a critical approach to social media. We want to use the momentum from the European Year of Youth for 2023 as well and clarify the European perspectives and scope for action for young people.