European Youth Engagement Strategy

You(th)Europe Academy: Empowering Young Voices for a More Democratic Europe

From May 13th to 16th, 2024, youth from across Europe convened at the Centro de Juventude de Braga in Portugal for the You(th)Europe Academy, a Transnational Youth Lab organized by EUPULSE. This immersive event aimed to bring young people closer to EU politics and decision-making, fostering an inclusive space where their voices could contribute meaningfully to European democracy.

Over two days, participants explored foundational topics, such as the role of democratic institutions, how young citizens can actively shape EU policy, and the democratic frameworks that guide these processes. Through workshops, roundtable discussions, and expert-led sessions, youth explored ways to make democratic institutions more inclusive, enhancing participatory democracy to benefit both society and youth economically and socially.

Key topics included:

Understanding Democratic Institutions: Examining the purpose and function of democratic institutions within the EU.
Youth Engagement in Decision-Making: Strategies for young citizens to influence policy at both the local and EU levels.
Democratic Frameworks: Analysis of current democratic structures and potential reforms to make them more participatory.
Improving Institutions for a Stronger EU: Adapting EU structures to better include youth, which strengthens democracy while offering societal and economic benefits.

The event successfully promoted active youth participation by empowering attendees to create positions, proposals, and recommendations on key issues. With the support of expert moderators, participants gained a deeper understanding of their rights and responsibilities as EU citizens and the importance of participating in the European Parliament Elections 2024.

The academy not only fostered a collaborative environment but also built a network of young leaders ready to advocate for and shape Europe’s future. This impactful gathering leaves a lasting legacy as we work toward a stronger, more inclusive European democracy.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, partners, and organizers for making this event a resounding success! Together, we’re strengthening EU democracy for YOU(th)!

Transnational Youth Open Debate: Empowering Young Voters for the European Parliament Elections

From May 27th to 30th, 2024, young leaders, first-time voters, and youth with fewer opportunities gathered in Copenhagen to engage in the Transnational Youth Open Debate. This event aimed to equip youth with the knowledge and skills to navigate and influence the upcoming European Parliament Elections, fostering a new generation of active, informed EU voters.

During the three-day event, participants engaged in structured discussions and mock debates on pivotal election topics, including mandatory voting, the potential to lower the voting age, and methods to simplify and synchronize electoral procedures across EU nations. Youth and EP candidates from each represented country joined the dialogue, providing young attendees with direct access to political representatives and an opportunity to voice their concerns.

Key Topics Addressed:

Mandatory Voting: Examining youth-friendly ways to boost voter turnout and exploring if voting should be compulsory.
Lowering the Voting Age: Debating the future of EU democracy and the importance of youth participation.
Simplifying Electoral Processes: Discussing the benefits of aligning election dates for national, local, and European elections and methods for better communication with young voters.

Event Highlights:

Mock Debates: Youth participants explored diverse perspectives on mandatory voting, voting age, and other key issues.
Voting Toolbox Workshop: Attendees collaboratively created a Voting Toolbox—a practical toolkit designed by young people, for young people, to foster informed voting and greater political participation across Europe.
Candidate Q&A Sessions: Youth had the chance to engage with EP candidates, asking questions and gaining insights into the EU’s policy-making and electoral processes.
Field Trip to Europa Experience CPH: Participants explored democracy in Europe, with discussions on how to address and understand the current democratic challenges facing the EU.

The event encouraged critical thinking and empowered youth with resources and a support network, inspiring them to take an active role in shaping Europe’s future. Through this unique experience, EUPULSE successfully fostered youth engagement in democratic processes, leaving a lasting impact on all participants as they prepared for the European Parliament Elections and beyond.

A heartfelt thank you to all attendees, partners, and organizers who made this event a success. Together, we’re amplifying young voices across Europe!

MOOC Elections: Simulating Youth Vote for Active Citizenship in Europe

On June 6th, 2024, as the European Parliament Elections began, young Europeans gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece, for the MOOC Elections,a dynamic simulation of the EU electoral process organized by Fifty-Fifty, the EUPULSE project coordinator. Designed to teach young people about the electoral process, this immersive experience empowered participants to explore EU policy, understand voting’s impact, and shape their own political visions for Europe.

This interactive mock election gave participants from each partner country the opportunity to define and address key issues in the EU’s policy agenda, ranging from climate change to regional development and digital rights. By actively engaging in policy debate, analysis, and proposal development, young citizens explored the democratic process from within, preparing themselves to become proactive voters.

Event Highlights:

Defining Electoral Law and Political Structures: Participants established electoral laws, shaped political parties based on the 2019 EP Elections, nominated lead candidates, and developed strategies for impactful election campaigns.
Simulated Voting and Election Management: Youth attendees experienced the full voting process—setting up ballot boxes, arranging safety protocols, and organizing polling stations in line with EU law regulations.
Policy Analysis and Resolutions: As part of the simulation, each group presented policy proposals to address pressing issues such as social justice, climate change, and digital transformation. These resolutions were then reviewed by European and regional representatives, demonstrating the real-world impact of engaged citizenship.
This hands-on experience not only educated youth on the EU electoral process but also encouraged them to think critically about policies and the values they support. The event emphasized three core messages: “Be the Change”, “Shape Your Future”, and “Your Voice Matters.” These pillars underscored the importance of active participation, inspiring young Europeans to see themselves as key players in shaping their own future and the future of Europe.
The MOOC Elections successfully bridged the gap between young voters and European policy, fostering a generation of informed, motivated citizens ready to lead Europe toward a more inclusive, democratic future.

Thank you to all participants and partners for making this powerful learning experience possible!

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