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Steh für was Österreich

2023-1-AT01-KA154-YOU-0001448402023Youth participation activitiesfinalized
Countries: AT · Grant: €43,600
Awareness about the European UnionDemocracy and inclusive democratic participationYouth policy development

Objectives

The project was initiated with the overarching goal of increasing youth engagement in the context of the Austrian national elections. Recognizing that young people are often underrepresented in political discourse and decision-making, we set out to create meaningful opportunities for them to participate, contribute, and have their voices heard. To achieve this, we established youth groups in various federal states, composed of motivated young individuals who took on the role of peer educators. These groups were trained and supported to carry out peer-to-peer educational activities, informing their peers about the importance of voting, the structure and significance of the national elections, and how political decisions impact their lives. The peer-to-peer approach was chosen to ensure that the messaging would be relatable, authentic, and accessible to other young people. Beyond just information sharing, these youth groups were encouraged and empowered to organize their own events—ranging from workshops and debates to creative formats like art installations or social media campaigns. These events were designed to create spaces for political dialogue, raise awareness, and motivate more young people to participate in the democratic process. An essential component of the project was the personal development of the youth group members themselves. Through targeted skill-building sessions, participants gained competencies in areas such as public speaking, event management, facilitation, critical thinking, and democratic literacy. This not only strengthened their ability to carry out the project goals effectively but also contributed to their long-term civic engagement and empowerment. Lastly, the project included the development and distribution of a national youth survey, which gathered insights on the priorities, concerns, and hopes of young people regarding the upcoming government formation. The results of this survey were intended to serve as a basis for dialogue with political stakeholders, ensuring that youth perspectives are not only acknowledged but also taken into account in shaping future policies.

Project partners (5)