The ActivateEU project was designed as a response to the low level of civic and democratic participation among young people in Romania, a phenomenon confirmed by both national statistics and European reports. This reality is even more evident in rural and peri-urban areas, such as the villages of Vulcan and Holbav in Brasov County, where access to information, educational opportunities, and spaces for democratic dialogue is limited. In this context, the project aimed to address both the lack of motivation and confidence of young people in their ability to influence decision-making processes and the structural barriers that limit their participation. The general objective of the ActivateEU project was to encourage, support, and strengthen the active participation of young people from Brasov, Vulcan, and Holbav in democratic life and civic initiatives by developing civic competences, increasing the visibility of young people in public space, and facilitating authentic dialogue with decision-makers. Implemented over 12 months, the project integrated a series of successive activities that provided young people with real contexts for learning, engagement, and action. Specifically, ActivateEU pursued three main objectives: Development of civic and democratic competences among 30 young people aged 16 to 25 from Brasov, Vulcan, and Holbav. Through an intensive educational mobility in Bran followed by practical engagement activities in their communities, these young people were informed and trained on topics related to democracy and the rule of law. Participation in thematic workshops on leadership, active citizenship, the rule of law, communication with authorities, and democratic education was complemented by their direct involvement in organizing roundtables, simulations, and other local activities. These young people thus became local civic leaders, playing an active role in community strengthening and promoting the involvement of their peers. Promotion of civic activism among 70 young people aged 16-25 from Brasov, Vulcan, and Holbav through campaigns promoting youth civic engagement. These campaigns, organized both in physical format and online, aimed to increase young people's awareness and involvement in community issues, as well as to foster a sense of belonging and collective responsibility. Through non-formal and creative methods, young people learned how to become the voice of their generation. Creation of the ActivateEU Alumni community, initially envisioned to bring together at least 20 graduates of the ActivateEU program to ensure sustainable involvement in active democratic participation in Brasov County. In reality, the network grew to include 60 active members who benefit from support provided by the Empower Plus association and other members of the network. The network operates both online—through dedicated communication and good practice exchange channels—and offline—through regular meetings, involvement in events, and co-organization of new initiatives. In addition to these main objectives, the project also aimed to: -develop local and regional partnerships with other NGOs and relevant institutions, concretized through collaboration with Zbor Hub and the planned signing of a partnership agreement with Nicolae Titulescu High School in Brasov; -increase the visibility of the Empower Plus organization as a relevant actor in civic education and youth participation, including through public support from local councilors and constant promotion of the project on social media; -create opportunities for continuity and sustainability by involving 7 proactive volunteers from the Alumni network in the planning and implementation of ActivateEU2 and other organizational activities. An unexpected outcome that exceeded initial expectations was the participation of the mayor of Bran commune in the mobility, representing a model of institutional goodwill and authentic democratic dialogue. This interaction significantly contributed to increasing the motivation and confidence of young people in the importance of their participation in decision-making processes. Through its design, the application of non-formal methods, and the real involvement of young people, ActivateEU aimed not only to transfer knowledge but also to foster a shift in attitudes. The project was envisioned as a replicable model, capable of annually attracting young people interested in or wanting to learn more about civic participation at the local and regional level, engagement in dialogue with public authorities, and as a source of inspiration for other informal groups and organizations wishing to contribute to a participatory democracy.