YouthEUvision – Empowering Youth for a stronger Europe

Project Overview

Project: Empower YOUth for a stronger Europe – YouthEUvision

Duration: 01.06.2024 – 31.12.2025

Reference Nr. 101147592

Grant Amount: 167,245 EUR

Funding Program: CERV-2023-CITIZENS-CIV.

Granting Authority: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)

What's About

The project YouthEUVision — Empowering YOUth for a Stronger Europe is an innovative project that will transform youth participation in democratic processes and active citizenship in Europe.

Based on the belief that the future of Europe depends on active involvement from its side, YouthEUVision brings together a unique consortium of organizations from six diverse EU countries, such as Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and Romania. This collective effort is aimed at empowering and mobilizing young people by endowing them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to actively create the future of Europe.

Background of the Project

In this socio-economic scenario, the youth of the entire continent are challenged by high rates of unemployment, social exclusion, and being at risk of disappointment from democratic processes. These challenges are compounded by discrimination and economic inequalities that hit the youth worse, leaving them feeling disenfranchised and marginalized. With these pressing issues at hand, YouthEUVision seeks to counteract the trends by creating an environment in which young people can succeed as active, responsible citizens.

Consortium and Partnership

YouthEUVision has at its core a diverse consortium comprising organisations with extensive experience in youth empowerment, democratic engagement, and social inclusion. The project partners are:

Youth Power Germany (YP DE) – Germany
Municipality of Egaleo (EGL) – Greece
Empower Plus (EMPOWER) – Romania
Associazione Arci Solidarietà Onlus (ARCI) – Italy
Asociacion CIFAL Malaga (CIFAL) – Spain
DIANA – Diversitè Intelligence Autonomie Neurodiversitè Atypique – France
Associazione Salam Organizzazione Non Lucrativa di Utilità Sociale (SALAM) – Italy
Fundacion Sieneva (SIENEVA) – Spain

The overarching goal of YouthEUVision is to empower young people to become proactive participants in shaping a more democratic, inclusive, and resilient Europe. The project has several key objectives:

Empowering Youth:
- Provide young people with the critical thinking, leadership, and advocacy skills necessary for active citizenship.
- Foster a generation of informed, engaged, and responsible citizens who are capable of influencing positive change in their communities and beyond.
Promoting Democratic Values:
- Encourage democratic participation through a variety of activities, including debates, workshops, and educational campaigns.
- Promote a culture of active citizenship and civic engagement among young people, ensuring their voices are heard in the democratic process.
Addressing Social Exclusion and Extremism:
- Combat social exclusion by empowering youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and promoting inclusivity.
- Provide positive alternatives to counter potential extremist influences by engaging youth in constructive and meaningful activities.
Enhancing EU Democratic Legitimacy:
- Involve young citizens from different EU countries in discussions about the future of Europe, strengthening the democratic legitimacy of EU decision-making processes.
- Foster a greater sense of belonging to the European Union by promoting EU values and democratic principles.
Sustainable Impact:
- Establish long-term partnerships among project partners for future initiatives, ensuring the continued promotion of European values and youth engagement.
- Develop and implement a robust system of monitoring and verification to track progress and ensure the achievement of project goals.

The Objectives

Target Groups

YouthEUVision targets two primary groups:

Direct Target Group: Youth-at-risk aged 18-30 from the six partner countries, particularly those from disadvantaged areas or facing social, economic, and ethnic barriers.
Indirect Target Group: Policymakers, civil society organizations, educational institutions, media associations, local communities, youth-led organizations, and academic/research communities.

Gender Perspective and Inclusivity

YouthEUVision is committed to promoting gender equality and inclusivity throughout its activities. The project incorporates gender-sensitive approaches to ensure equal opportunities for all participants, addressing gender disparities in political representation, decision-making, and employment opportunities. Additionally, the project promotes inclusivity for LGBTQ+ youth and those with disabilities, ensuring that all young people can participate fully and equally.

Project Expected Impact

YouthEUVision aims to create a transformative journey for youth, fostering a sense of belonging to the European Union and promoting EU values and democratic participation. By empowering young people and addressing the challenges they face, the project seeks to prevent social exclusion and counter potential extremist ideologies. Ultimately, YouthEUVision aims to enhance the role of youth in shaping the future of Europe, contributing to a more democratic, inclusive, and resilient European society.

Through its innovative and comprehensive approach, YouthEUVision is poised to make a significant and lasting impact on youth engagement and democratic participation across Europe, empowering the next generation to build a stronger and more united Europe.