With the implementation of our project "Youth meets Europeam Union - Experience Europe" we aim to actively support young people from Belgium and Germany in gaining a better understanding of Europe and feeling part of the European community. A central goal is to show them, in a simple and experiential way, how political work at the European level functions, what decisions are made, and how these decisions affect their daily lives. We want to provide the participants with the opportunity to actively engage: they should discuss, ask questions, exchange ideas, and explore different perspectives. In doing so, we not only promote their political understanding but also foster important competencies in youth work, such as teamwork, critical thinking, intercultural communication, and civic engagement. "Youth meets Europeam Union - Experience Europe" targets young people growing up in a time of significant political and societal change. Many teenagers feel disconnected from politics and the European Union, as they lack knowledge about its significance and often only encounter abstract or negative portrayals. At the same time, there is an increasing prevalence of disinterest, uncertainty, and misinformation. We want to show where the EU has a direct impact on the daily lives of young people – for example, in the fields of education, travel, work, digitalization, environment, and peace – and how deeply it influences their everyday reality. The goal is to raise political awareness, spark interest in Europe, and convey to young people that their voices matter. Through the exchange between Belgian and German participants, we also foster intercultural understanding and demonstrate that many challenges and hopes are shared across borders. Our project aims to motivate young people to engage actively with Europe and to recognize the benefits of a functioning European Union. The project is guided by three key principles: 1. Voluntariness: The project is intentionally designed outside of formal school or institutional settings, so participation is motivated by the young people’s genuine interest in Europe and exchange, not by grades or formal incentives. This creates an open learning environment that encourages true engagement and independent exploration of European topics. 2. Participation: Participants are involved from the start in shaping the content and deciding which European topics are most relevant to them. This participatory approach strengthens responsibility, critical thinking, and democratic action. 3. Perspective Shift: Through meetings and reciprocal visits in the following year, young people will visit each other's home countries and experience different daily realities. This fosters intercultural understanding, respect for diversity, and a sense of shared European responsibility. From the perspective of youth work, the project aims to achieve the following specific objectives: • Strengthen awareness and understanding of Europe and its impact on daily life – young people will reflect on how European values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and social justice shape their lives. • Promote active European citizenship and democratic participation – participants will develop skills and the motivation to engage socially and politically. • Enhance intercultural competence and social cohesion – through personal exchange, young people will learn to understand and appreciate different ways of life. • Build sustainable networks – young people will establish connections with peers from another European country, enabling long-term collaboration and mutual learning. By combining voluntary participation, youth-driven content creation, and cross-border exchange, the project empowers young people to be active contributors to a shared European future.