The project “Youth for Future Europe” responds to the challenges facing today’s young people by focusing on democratic participation, civic education, environmental awareness, and European identity and values. In many countries, young people do not have access to educational programmes that comprehensively combine these elements. We believe they are the future leaders of change, but to fully realise their potential they need support. The project aims to provide them with the knowledge, skills and motivation to participate actively in social and political life and to act for sustainable development. The project was created as a youth-led initiative and responds to needs identified by youth initiative groups in each partner country. In youth work practice, we observe that young people want to influence reality, but they often lack concrete tools (democracy and participation), information literacy (disinformation), and ways to translate values and concern for the climate into everyday actions. Therefore, we combine civic education, critical thinking, green habits and the experience of European cooperation in safe and inclusive conditions. The goal is to strengthen young people’s agency and to translate the outcomes of the mobility into local actions after the exchange (mini-initiatives and peer-to-peer campaigns). Challenges addressed by the project a) Low level of civic engagement - A lack of knowledge about the democratic system means that many young people remain passive. They often do not know how to influence their local community or take part in decision-making processes. The project will equip them with tools for civic activism, including digital solutions at the European level. b) Limited environmental awareness - Although environmental protection is increasingly present in public debate, young people often do not know what practical actions they can take in everyday life. Workshops and outdoor activities will help them understand how individual choices affect the environment and enable them to adopt greener habits. c) Insufficient civic education - Young people often lack sufficient knowledge about democratic institutions, citizens’ rights and EU participation tools. The project will fill this gap by teaching them how to exercise their rights and engage actively in public life. Project objectives a) Raising awareness of citizens’ rights and participation in public life Young people will gain knowledge about their rights and opportunities to engage at local, national and European levels, helping them better understand democratic processes and their own role in society. b) Promoting active citizenship through workshops, debates and simulations Interactive activities will help young people understand decision-making processes in the European Union and ways to influence policymaking. c) Increasing awareness of democratic mechanisms and opportunities to have an impact through campaigns Participants will learn about democratic tools at local, national and EU levels (e.g., public consultations, youth councils, citizens’ initiatives) and will develop elements of social campaigns. d) Developing critical thinking, fact-checking and skills in using participation tools Participants will learn how to analyse information, assess its credibility and use democratic tools, which will increase their engagement in social life. e) Building international cooperation and exchange of experiences The project will enable young people from different EU countries to share knowledge and good practices, strengthening a sense of European community. It will support building a European identity and practising EU values within a safe framework of cooperation (including jointly developed “safe space rules”). f) Applying modern educational methods Interactive simulations, expert-led workshops and social campaigns will allow participants to gain practical skills and better prepare for active citizenship. g) Increasing awareness of climate change, ways to counteract it, and developing green habits h) Strengthening project management and communication competences by planning and implementing mini-initiatives/campaigns after returning The project “Youth for the Future of Europe” not only provides knowledge, but also inspires young people to take action, helping them become active citizens of Europe.