EmpowerYouth was developed to strengthen meaningful youth participation at local and European level. Across our partner countries (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Slovakia and Türkiye), we observed that many young people experience politics and democracy as distant, abstract or “not for them.” Particularly young people with fewer opportunities often lack trust, knowledge and access to decision-making processes. The main objective of the project was therefore to create active citizenship by making democratic participation understandable, accessible and youth-led. We aimed to: - Increase young people’s understanding of democratic systems at local and European level - Strengthen their confidence to express opinions and engage in dialogue with decision-makers - Promote alternative and innovative forms of participation beyond traditional voting - Support youth-led local initiatives addressing issues relevant to their communities - Create an international youth participation network The project contributed to EU Youth Goals (especially Youth Goal #9: Space and Participation for All) and horizontal priorities such as inclusion, participation and digital engagement. A key ambition was not only to talk about participation, but to practice it, by placing young people in leading roles throughout the entire project cycle.