With the implementation of our Erasmus+ project within the framework of KA154, we pursued the goal of making European education more participatory, tangible and relevant to everyday life. The starting point was the already existing cooperation between Evau Siegen-Weidenau and the Internationales Forum Burg Liebenzell (IFBL), which had developed within the framework of the project “We Are EU-rope.” This project strengthens students’ intercultural competence and promotes their awareness of European diversity. Together with Collège Jacques Monod in France and the European School Copenhagen in Denmark, we aimed to further develop how young people learn about Europe in the school context – and how they can actively shape this learning process. The central idea was to involve students not only as participants but as active co-creators. As “future shapers,” they were to take responsibility and influence the further development of the “We Are EU-rope” curriculum both in terms of content and methodology. A key objective was therefore to evaluate the existing curriculum together with the young people and adapt it to the contexts of the Danish and French partner schools. Through their involvement in assessing teaching methods, they were given the opportunity to contribute their perspectives and initiate concrete improvements. In this way, we aimed not only to create a more attractive educational offer but also to strengthen their sense of self-efficacy. Another focus was the promotion of intercultural exchange among young people from the partner countries. Through encounters, workshops and cooperative working phases, prejudices were to be reduced and common ground discovered. On this basis, the participants independently organised “Action Days,” including activities for Europe Day in May and the European Day of Languages in September. In doing so, they took responsibility for planning and implementation and made their concerns visible within the school community. The objective was to make democratic participation a practical experience and to empower young people to represent their interests at school, local and European levels. Beyond the school context, we encouraged participants to engage with political and civic participation. Together, they organised meetings with decision-makers at local, national and European levels. This provided them with insights into political processes and enabled them to raise their own questions. In the long term, the project aimed to stimulate sustainable democratic engagement and to strengthen awareness that active participation is possible. The project was based on clearly identified needs. In light of growing scepticism towards democratic institutions and declining trust in political systems, we recognised the need to strengthen understanding of the European Union, its values and its institutions. Many young people – particularly from rural areas with limited intercultural experience – perceive the EU as abstract and detached from everyday life. Peace and democracy are often taken for granted. Our project addressed this by making Europe tangible as a shared living space and encouraging young people to step outside their comfort zones and actively experience cultural diversity. At the same time, the project responded to the interests of a target group engaged in social science topics and eager to become active beyond regular lessons. Some of the participating young people already had experience in school initiatives or competitions and were therefore particularly well suited to act as multipliers. An overarching organisational goal was to foster European citizenship, especially among young people with fewer opportunities to participate in exchange programmes. Through a participatory approach, we aimed to provide concrete experiences of involvement and strengthen self-efficacy. In addition, we sought to further professionalise the teaching staff in order to anchor Europe in everyday school life in a methodologically sound and action-oriented way. Overall, the project aimed to empower young people to become active European citizens who understand and shape democratic processes.