The "Youth Empowerment for Active European Citizenship (YEAEC)" project was developed to address the lack of political engagement and awareness among young people, particularly those facing multiple disadvantages in Cologne. The project aimed to empower six young participants, aged 18 to 26, by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary to become active citizens engaged in shaping their communities and beyond. We´ve started the project with nine participants and ended it with 7 of the core group at age 18 - 28 years old. The central goal of the project was to foster an understanding of political participation and how young people can influence decisions at regional, national, and European levels. Many young individuals lack awareness of the significance of their involvement in shaping policies and how these policies impact their lives. By implementing this project, we sought to bridge this gap, offering participants a foundational understanding of political systems and the roles they can play within them. It was important to demonstrate the interconnectedness of local, national, and European politics, emphasizing that decisions made at one level can have significant consequences at others. Beyond raising awareness, the project aimed to motivate and inspire participants to become active citizens. We recognized that many young people in our target group lacked the opportunities, access, and skills needed to engage with politics meaningfully. This project provided a platform to address these barriers and foster political engagement among youth who might otherwise remain excluded. The focus was on empowering participants with the confidence and tools required to contribute to political processes, advocate for their communities, and take initiative in addressing issues that matter to them. Skill development was another key objective. To participate actively and effectively in politics, young people need a range of competencies, including advocacy, leadership, and communication. The project was designed to equip participants with these critical skills, enabling them to articulate ideas, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and navigate political systems with confidence. These abilities are essential not only for engaging with existing political structures but also for initiating change within their own communities. The access to political institutions and decision-making processes was a significant focus of the project. Many young people face challenges in understanding or connecting with these systems. By offering participants real-life experiences, such as visits to Berlin and Brussels, interview with one of the Mayor in Cologne, the project provided insights into how decisions are made at different levels of government. Interacting directly with policymakers allowed participants to understand the practical workings of political institutions and envision their potential roles within these systems. This exposure aimed to demystify political processes and encourage participants to see themselves as active contributors. The project also sought to provide historical context as part of its educational approach. A visit to NS-Dok for the Remote Island Program highlighted the importance of understanding history to shape a better future. This experience aimed to deepen participants’ appreciation of the past while reinforcing the value of active citizenship in preventing historical mistakes. Through these efforts, participants were encouraged to take what they learned and apply it in their own contexts by developing concrete projects. For this reason they developed a second participation project to get to know more about the foreign policies on municipality level with the partner cities, on national level and European level. The young people wants to connect international projects with international politics. Additionally, opportunities to attend youth summits and Salto Youth trainings allowed participants to broaden their perspectives and refine their skills further. These activities fostered a sense of interconnections with their peers across Europe and emphasized the collective impact of youth-driven change.