Our project had three interconnected objectives. First, we aimed to gather and amplify youth voices on the future of the EU by facilitating a deliberative process through which young people could develop and present coherent, collectively agreed policy recommendations to decision-makers. A key goal was that the resolution would be genuinely built by young people themselves, not drafted on their behalf. Second, we sought to enhance young people's knowledge of and engagement with EU institutions through experiential learning. Rather than conveying information through passive formats, we wanted participants to experience EU processes firsthand through simulation, institutional visits, and direct interaction with decision-makers and EU professionals. Third, we aimed to build capacity at both individual and organisational levels. For the participants, this meant developing skills in negotiation, advocacy, and civic participation, and awareness of European career opportunities. For the partner organisations, the project offered a concrete opportunity to strengthen their event management capabilities, deepen cross-border collaboration, and particularly for JEF Sweden, revitalise membership engagement and organisational operations.
The year 2025 marked the 30th anniversary of EU membership for Finland, Sweden, and Austria which is a milestone that provided a unique and timely opportunity to reflect on the shared European journey of these three countries and to look ahead to the next 30 years. We applied for this project to create a meaningful space for young people to engage with this anniversary not just as observers, but as active participants shaping the EU's future direction. We identified a clear need to address the growing disconnect between young people and EU institutions. While youth remain active in civic life, participation in formal EU processes has declined, and many young people, particularly those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds or peripheral regions, lack accessible pathways to international experiences and EU engagement. Simultaneously, representation from Finland, Sweden, and Austria in EU institutions has been declining as experienced professionals retire without young replacements. Our project addressed these needs by creating low-threshold, high-impact opportunities for young people to learn about the EU through direct experience, voice their opinions, and explore concrete ways to European careers and active citizenship.