EUVALUE
Youth action towards respecting EU common Values (EUVALUE)
Project Description: One of the challenges today’s Europe faces is Euroscepticism which is reinforced with the significant political disengagement of young people when we are talking about traditional political forms.Young people prefer to engage themselves to short term political activities, like specific initiatives, petitions,short-term activities that do not demand full engagement.It is impressive the use of new ICTs, such as social media which are easy and fast, provide the sense of fulfilling political obligations and participation to social change movements.Participation in political activities is in crisis,especially when it comes to young people, and this is a major issue facing contemporary democracies.Young people are not only disengaged but they might be apathetic and/or alienated from the traditional forms of politics(Hay 2007). The experience gained by the PPs has identified the increasing use of social media in the engagement of young people in politics.There was also identified a gap on tools & methodologies that give to them the means to support their political views, as well the training they need to use these tools and methodologies.The main aim of EUVALUE is to give to young people the opportunity to learn the available tools and methodologies available to engage themselves in politics at this turning point EU is facing due to the raise of Euroscepticism and the lurking problems COVID19 brought on the forefront.We are seeking to give to our participants the opportunity to express what kind of Europe they want and to outline their long term vision for the future of European integration.We are focusing on the concrete achievements of the European Union and on lessons learnt from our common history, as well we enclose current trends, challenge Euroscepticism and engage them into critical thinking to suggest possible actions that the EU could undertake to foster a sense of belonging, to understand the benefits of the EU & to reinforce the EU’s social & political cohesion.
- increase youth citizens’ engagement in politics and democratic processes promoting as well EU unity, togetherness, debating the future of Europe and challenging Euroscepticism
- engaging young citizens in active participation
- presenting active citizenship as a tool to build key personality traits that are associated with activities to bring about social change and cohesion, help express the long term vision they have for the future of European integration and to engage themselves on a debate about possible actions that the European Union could undertake to strengthen the sense of belonging to Europe
- understanding that new forms of political engagement is not a barrier to their contribution to the union policy making process and feel valuable through their engagement in the policy making process for their everyday problems and issues
- activating their sense of belonging to a common union even in times of struggle, as the COVID19 has brought to our societies
Events:
8 events have been carried out within this project:
Event 1
Participation: The event involved 25 citizens, including 4 participants from the city of Riga, (Latvia), 3 participants from the city of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), 3 participants from the city of Thessaloniki (Greece), 3 participants from the city of Trofaiach (Austria), 3 participants from the city of Sremski Karlovci (Serbia), 3 participants from the city of Novo Mesto (Slovenia), 3 participants from the city of Slavonski Brod (Croatia), and 3 participants from the city Berlin (Germany).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Riga, Latvia, from 08/11/2021 to 09/11/2021
Short description: The aim of the event was to organise the kick-off meeting and to launch the beginning of the project. The event involved project coordinators from all participating organizations and citizens to be part of the project, to reach a common understanding of the project and its idea; to share aims and objectives of the project; to clarify the work plan and the main phases of the project.
Event 2
Participation: The event involved 48 citizens, including 6 participants from the city of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), including 6 participants from the city of Riga, (Latvia), 6 participants from the city of Thessaloniki (Greece), 6 participants from the city of Trofaiach (Austria), 6 participants from the city of Sremski Karlovci (Serbia), 6 participants from the city of Novo Mesto (Slovenia), 6 participants from the city of Slavonski Brod (Croatia), and 6 participants from the city Berlin (Germany).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Herceg Novi, Montenegro, from 20/06/2022 to 22/06/2022
Short description: The aim of the event was to implement a Study Visit, seeking to understand the level of integration of politics in youth organisations and their role into fostering political engagement of youth into EU politics. Participants were youth organizations’ staff that were invited according to their working profile, as well 1 Project Leader. During this event intercultural dialogue was also fostered.
Event 3
Participation: The event involved 50 citizens including 8 participants from the city of Riga (Latvia), including 6 participants from the city of Trofaiach, (Austria), 6 participants from the city of Thessaloniki (Greece), 6 participants from the city of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), 6 participants from the city of Sremski Karlovci (Serbia), 6 participants from the city of Novo Mesto (Slovenia), participants from the city of Slavonski Brod (Croatia), and 6 participants from the city Berlin (Germany).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Riga, Latvia from 22/08/2022 to 25/08/2022
Short description: The aim of the event was to implement the 1st Training Seminar on “The use of ICT to increase young political engagement”, providing knowledge and improving competences of youth organizations staff on digital tools and contemporary methodologies of increasing youth interest in politics and political engagement. Skills on creating online campaigns, petitions, movements, etc have been taught, as well critical thinking techniques. Participants were youth organizations’ staff that were invited according to their working profile, as well 1 Project Leader. During this event intercultural dialogue was also fostered.
Event 4
Participation: The event involved 50 citizens, including 8 participants from the city of Novo Mesto (Slovenia), including 6 participants from the city of Riga, (Latvia), 6 participants from the city of Thessaloniki (Greece), 6 participants from the city of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), 6 participants from the city of Sremski Karlovci (Serbia), 6 participants from the city of Trofaiach (Austria), 6 participants from the city of Slavonski Brod (Croatia), and 6 participants from the city Berlin (Germany).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, from 01/09/2022 to 03/09/2022
Short description: The aim of the event was to implement the 2nd Training Seminar on “Supporting Youth Initiatives & Political Engagement”, providing knowledge and improve competences of youth organizations staff on digital tools and contemporary methodologies to support youth initiatives and political engagement. European and International cases studies have been presented and analysed in order to identify the factors that led to their success. Participants were youth organizations’ staff that were invited according to their working profile, as well 1 Project Leader. During this event intercultural dialogue was also fostered.
Event 5
Participation: The event involved 50 citizens, including 8 participants from the city of Berlin (Germany), including 6 participants from the city of Novo Mesto, (Slovenia), 6 participants from the city of Thessaloniki (Greece), 6 participants from the city of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), 6 participants from the city of Sremski Karlovci (Serbia), 6 participants from the city of Trofaiach (Austria), 6 participants from the city of Slavonski Brod (Croatia), and 6 participants from the Riga (Latvia).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Berlin, Germany, on 21/09/2022
Short description: The aim of the event was to implement a Round Table “Youth Debating the Future of Europe’’, giving to them the opportunity to express their concerns and vision towards common challenges related to the European identity, diversity and the future of Europe among them and debate on their views of EU politics, policies and decision-making processes. Participants were youth organizations’ staff that were invited according to their working profile, as well 1 Project Leader. During this event intercultural dialogue was also fostered.
Event 6
Participation: The event involved 50 citizens, including 8 participants from the city of Trofaiach (Austria), including 6 participants from the city of Riga, (Latvia), 6 participants from the city of Thessaloniki (Greece), 6 participants from the city of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), 6 participants from the city of Sremski Karlovci (Serbia), 6 participants from the city of Novo Mesto (Slovenia), 6 participants from the city of Slavonski Brod (Croatia), and 6 participants from the city Berlin (Germany).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Trofaiach, Austria, on 24/10/2022
Short description: The aim of the event was to implement a Round Table for “Youth Political Engagement Tools & Methodologies’’, discussing on traditional and contemporary tools’ effectiveness of youth and young adults’ political engagement and how they could facilitate and increase young involvement in politics. Participants are young citizens along with experts on EU politics and PPs members. Participants were youth organizations’ staff that were invited according to their working profile, as well 1 Project Leader. During this event intercultural dialogue was also fostered.
Event 7
Participation: The event involved 50 citizens, including 8 participants from the Slavonski Brod, (Croatia), including 6 participants from the city of Novo Mesto, (Slovenia), 6 participants from the city of Thessaloniki (Greece), 6 participants from the city of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), 6 participants from the city of Sremski Karlovci (Serbia), 6 participants from the city of Trofaiach (Austria), 6 participants from the city of Berlin (Germany), and 6 participants from the Riga (Latvia).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, on 09/12/2022
Short description: The aim of the event was to implement a Round Table “Youth discussions with Politicians’’, initiating a discussion among them on issues that are the most critical for youth at the moment: employment-free movement-social inclusion-environmental protection & climate change-democracy & human rights-gender equality. It was a frutifull discussion where youth stressed their opinions, their needs & expectations from national authorities and the EU. Participants were youth organizations’ staff that were invited according to their working profile, as well 1 Project Leader. During this event intercultural dialogue was also fostered.
Event 8
Participation: The event involved 104 citizens, including 55 participants from the Thessaloniki, (Greece), including 7 participants from the city of Novo Mesto, (Slovenia), 7 participants from the city of Slavonski Brod, (Croatia), 7 participants from the city of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), 7 participants from the city of Sremski Karlovci (Serbia), 7 participants from the city of Trofaiach (Austria), 7 participants from the city of Berlin (Germany), and 7 participants from the Riga (Latvia).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 16/12/2022
Short description: The aim of the event was to implement a Conference “Empowering Political Participation and Civic Engagement of Young People”, where Experts on politics, politicians (national&EU level), youth organizations, stakeholders, youth have been invited to the conference as well as representatives from the participating organizations along with youth citizens & stakeholders. Participants were youth organizations’ staff that were invited according to their working profile, as well 1 Project Leader. During this event intercultural dialogue was also fostered.
Testimonials of participants
Jenny Tanga: ”Hi, my name is Jenny and I live in Thessaloniki. The experience as a whole was incredibly educational, fun and important for me as a young person. Trough events and projects, a young person gets priceless experience. Personally, I think it is of the upmost importance to meet peers from other countries and to familiarize yourself with their culture, mores and the act of meeting and having as many friends all over the world as possible. In addition, various events are often an endless source of information and experiences that can only help us in further education, employment, but above all in the further development of ourselves as a person. I can say with certainty that the entire event was a great success and an unforgettable experience for all present”
Johan Heimer: ”Hallo! My name is Johan, I’m 18 and for three months, I followed a language course in Greece. It was clear to me that I wanted to have some sort of adventure abroad during my gap year, but I wasn’t sure what kind of trip it should be. Do I want to stay in Europe or travel to Asia or South America maybe? Should I travel alone or with a friend? And what exactly was my goal? I then realized there still was a lot to explore within Europe, and that I wanted to get to know more of the different cultures we have here. Italy was a new country to cross off my list! On the basis of their best intentions, individuals can ensure that social and ecological wellbeing are central within society’s economic and political life’. I hope that the new generations have a clear vision of the world situation as I do, as the previous generations have generated the plundering of our planet. It is our duty to take the necessary actions to repair these mistakes. My main goal was to explore a new country and culture, but also to meet new people and to unwind and relax. Italy was the perfect place for that! I lived in one of the language school’s student houses, in the heart of the city. There were people from all over the world, and from different ages. I was the youngest, but there was also someone from 75 years old in my class. And all ages in between. That was very interesting and fun.”
Cristina Simu: ”Hi everyone! My name is Cristina, from Slovenia! I am hopeful about the fact that the changing information infrastructure facilitates a bottom-up generation of ideas in our society. This empowers many people who strive for their dreams and ideals, and it’s fascinating to see how many children ask themselves: “How can I contribute to a better world?”. Now, they can act upon it. Simultaneously, I feel despair for the challenges of human greed for humanity. Globalisation may disfavour the world’s poorest regions and spur a concentration of social and economic wealth, while the earth’s planetary boundaries are crossed. This could challenge life on earth, and necessitate drastic transitions in our political, social and economic systems. We need to act quickly.”
Partnership
