The BOTTOM UP project was born from a deep understanding of the dynamics that characterise our territory, marked by peripheral conditions and a complex youth situation: lack of opportunities, unemployment, low participation in social and political life, distrust of institutions and widespread passivity that often leads young people to distance themselves or remain excluded from community dynamics, becoming NEETs. To address these critical issues, the project has launched innovative, immersive and effective participatory actions, experimenting with the creation of a local Community of Practice. The primary objective was to create, through meetings, events and the constant animation of an interactive web platform, a space for discussion and shared growth, in which young people were active protagonists and direct builders of change. Mediterranea pursued this goal with the collaboration of 19 young promoters of change who, over the course of two years, planned and managed activities together, organised events, handled communication and collaborated with public and private bodies, schools, universities, stakeholders and policy makers, generating significant social impact and consolidating their role within the association. The project promoted youth participation in European democratic life, pursuing the following specific objectives: -PROMOTING CIVIC AND DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION WITH A “BOTTOM UP” APPROACH: The young promoters, together with the participants, experienced active participation first-hand through the use of various non-formal education methods, from world cafés to metaplan, from participatory theatre to role play. These tools made it possible to create spaces for authentic dialogue and shared reflection, in which everyone was able to express their opinions, points of view and proposals on issues of social, political and community life. The process culminated in the publication of the manual “Bottom Up – Our Community of Practices”, which brings together 21 operational proposals developed by the groups of young people involved. This is not simply a final product, but the result of a collective process of discussion and co-construction, in which young people learned to speak up, negotiate ideas and build shared solutions. In this way, participation became a living and tangible experience, not just theorised but acted upon, based on a logic of collaboration, responsibility and mutual listening, essential elements for active and conscious citizenship. -PROMOTING THE CIVIC, SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE: the promoters actively participated in all phases of the project, while the young people involved, through events and the web platform, reflected on the European Youth Goals, transforming their ideas into concrete proposals. Discussions with experts and policy makers strengthened their civic awareness and understanding of their role in society. The young promoters also acquired professional skills in project management, digital animation, communication, promotion and event organisation, developing valuable transferable skills for their personal and professional future. Thanks to their direct experience and ongoing dialogue with local authorities, institutions and stakeholders, they have built a network of relationships and collaborations that could form a solid foundation for new professional and social opportunities. -RAISING AWARENESS OF COMMON EUROPEAN VALUES: through widespread promotional work across the region, involving schools, universities and associations, the project spread awareness of the European Youth Strategy and the 11 Youth Goals, promoting a stronger sense of European citizenship. -DEVELOPING DIGITAL SKILLS AND CRITICAL THINKING: thanks to the use of the web platform, the young promoters became digital animators, using the web as a tool for discussion, communication and the dissemination of constructive content. The non-formal education activities stimulated critical thinking and the ability to analyse complex problems in a participatory and creative way. - ENCOURAGING DIALOGUE WITH POLICY MAKERS: each event was attended by institutional representatives who interacted with young people in an informal and horizontal manner, sharing ideas and building operational proposals together. -EXPERIMENTING WITH PARTICIPATORY PRACTICES: the young promoters, supported by the project staff, devised and tested various participatory methodologies, documenting them in methodological sheets and digital training capsules (mini-MOOCs), practical and replicable tools for disseminating the good practices of the Community of Practice.