The main objective of the project was to promote active citizenship and participation among youth by empowering young active citizens from different fields to tell their stories and inspire those who are not yet engaged. By presenting personal narratives and shared themes across diverse forms of activism in Austria and Sweden, we aimed to foster a sense of European connectedness. A key goal was to create a platform that highlights young active citizens with fewer opportunities, enabling them to become relatable role models for other youth who face similar barriers and may not see themselves represented in civic life. This approach was intended to lower participation barriers and help young people recognize their own agency and potential. The project also aimed to strengthen the skills of educators in youth empowerment and political education by providing methods and materials focused on “soft” factors such as values, identity and inspiration. These tools will remain in use beyond the project. We also prioritized environmentally sustainable implementation and reusable materials.
The project responded to a need identified by the partner organizations: many young people, especially those facing social or economic barriers, lack inspiration and accessible pathways into civic engagement. Democratic societies depend on participation, yet many young people lack relatable role models and spaces to reflect on the values they want to stand for. Youth with fewer opportunities often feel powerless and unrepresented. The organizations believe young people need conditions that help them recognize their values, gain a sense of agency, experience community and find inspiration. The applicant focuses on promoting participation and lowering barriers, while the partner works on policy innovation around culture and civic engagement and provides physical spaces for civic initiatives. They see grassroots and community-led initiatives as key to a just and peaceful society. The project therefore addressed not only knowledge about democratic systems but also “soft” factors such as identity, agency, belonging and inspiration. Funding enabled the creation of educational materials that support young people in finding causes that resonate with them and in taking meaningful action as active citizens in a European context.