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 created an inclusive space where young Europeans could 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 gained hands-on experience in active citizenship and policymaking. Ultimately, the project aimed 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 offered 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 could answer their questions, give feedback, and help develop the youngsters' ideas. The programme resulted in a set of 20 individual policy proposals aimed at the local/community level and 6 group proposals focusing on the national/European Union level.
On the other side, participating decision makers gained a better understanding of the opinions and struggles youth face and had the opportunity to discuss fresh ideas for instilling change.
PRAGUE MEETING
October 12-13, 2025
The Erasmus+ You(th)&Dem project had its first in-person meeting in October bringing together active young people, youth leaders, and experienced decision-makers. On Sunday, participants began 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 drafted their own policy proposals based on these discussions and debated them in a simulation as if decision-makers in a negotiation.
On Monday, the participants met first with youth leaders and then decision makers from various countries to present their proposals. Through these sessions, the participants received feedback and guidance on how to better develop their ideas and advocacy strategies.
BRUSSELS MEETING
March 16-17, 2026
At the second event in Brussels, participants formed groups and developed policy proposals aimed at the National or EU level. To prepare for the meeting, they began working on their projects in January, following four phases: problem definition, policy formation, advocacy and discussion, and implementation and evaluation planning. Arriving in Brussels with their ideas already clearly defined and ready for discussion/feedback, participants attended a series of workshops and practical sessions to further refine their proposals.
On Monday, the group met with decision makers and a representative of the European Youth Forum to receive guidance on their projects and hear about opportunities for youth participation in European politics, followed by a simulation as members of the European Parliament.
The programme concluded on Tuesday, with a session on incorporating feedback and revisions, an interactive workshop on the European Citizens Initiative, and a visit to the European Parliament building (Hemicycle). Ultimately, participants gained practical experience advocating for their ideas and learned about EU institutions and opportunities for youth to effectively engage with them.
PARTNERS
Forum 2000 Foundation (Czechia)
Democracy International e.V. (Germany)
European Democracy Youth Network (Slovakia)
Inicijativa mladih za ljudska prava/Youth Initiative for Human Rights (Serbia)
Staly Sekretariat Wspolnoty Demokracji/Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies (Poland)
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