Proposal: Education, Debate, Action
Keywords: Promoting democratic participation through debating the future of Europe, Citizenship education, democratic life, youth empowerment, youth debate, youth engagement, active citizenship
Objective: In a rapidly evolving world, active and informed citizenship is paramount for the health of any democracy. However, recent research reveals a concerning decline in political participation among young people aged 15-25 in Europe and beyond. Voter absenteeism rates are alarmingly high, involvement in institutional politics is declining, and civic awareness is insufficient. To address these challenges, we present “The Youth DemocrAID: Education, Debate, Action” project.
This initiative recognizes the pivotal role of education in fostering civic engagement. Citizenship education is proposed as a solution to empower young individuals with democratic knowledge and skills. The project focuses on non-formal education methods and open discussion environments.
The project stems from a consortium of five partner organizations across Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Greece, and Portugal. Its objectives are:
- To encourage youth engagement in democracy and the future of Europe.
- To empower young people with knowledge and skills for active participation.
- To foster a European identity among young citizens.
- To enhance citizenship education using innovative non-formal methods.
- To strengthen democratic values and promote participation in society.
The project’s activities include an international seminar and debate, training of trainers, development of comprehensive workshop materials, online workshops, an international youth forum, and a podcast series featuring interviews with active figures in democracy.
Inclusivity is a core focus of the project, addressing the gender gap in political engagement and involving youth organizations in collaboration with local schools and institutions. Through “The Youth DemocrAID ” project, we aspire to create an informed, engaged, and active generation of citizens who are not only prepared to participate in democratic processes but also to make meaningful contributions to their communities and society as a whole.
EU Call: CERV-2023-CITIZENS-CIV – Citizens’ engagement and participation – 2023
Budget: 142 705,00€
To be Implemented between 2024 and 2026
Consortium:
- Younet
- European Research Center for Social Development (Glouni)
- Instytut Pracy I Edukacji
- Youth For Equality
- Prosvasi Anasygkrotisi Tis Astikis Dimokratikis Syn