ABOUT
Many young people care about societal challenges but often feel too powerless or unqualified to drive change, partly due to a lack of structured opportunities for civic participation. Existing channels for youth political engagement beyond voting—such as youth councils or party-affiliated groups—are frequently inaccessible, exclusive, or distrusted, limiting their impact. This project aims to create an inclusive space where young Europeans can exchange ideas and experiences, develop civic skills, and explore new or reformed ways of addressing youth topics. Through dialogue, collaboration, and direct interaction with public figures, participants will gain hands-on experience in active citizenship and policymaking. Ultimately, the project seeks to empower young people to play an active role in decision-making at the local, national, and EU levels, and to develop the skills necessary for such an engagement in an effective manner.
The project will serve as a tangible experience of working with like-minded young people from neighbouring European countries and of meeting face-to-face with public figures and other young politicians who will answer their questions, give feedback, and help develop the youngsters' ideas. Proposals for new channels and engagements for the youth are expected to stem from the project.
On the other side, politicians both young and older should gain a better understanding of the opinions and struggles youth face, and guide them towards instilling change.
PARTNERS
Forum 2000 Foundation (Czechia)
Democracy International e.V. (Germany)
Staly Sekretariat Wspolnoty Demokracji/Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies (Poland)
Inicijativa mladih za ljudska prava/Youth Initiative for Human Rights (Serbia)
European Democracy Youth Network (Slovakia)
PRAGUE MEETING
October 12-13, 2025
The Erasmus+ You(th)&Dem project will have its first in-person meeting in October bringing together active young people, youth leaders, and experienced decision-makers. On Sunday, participants will begin with a discussion of the youth political landscapes in their respective countries, followed by a “Foresight Workshop” encouraging them to think about what their ideal systems might look like instead.
Guided by a facilitator and policy expert, the participants will then draft their own policy proposals based on these discussions and debate them in a simulation as if they are decision-makers in a negotiation.
On Monday, the participants will meet first with youth leaders and then decision makers from various countries to present their proposals. Through these sessions, the participants will receive feedback and guidance on how to better develop their ideas and advocacy strategies.
“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
