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Launching of the project and website

The official launch of the YouDecide project is setting up the framework for a significant rise in young people’s involvement in democratic processes throughout Europe. Encouraging youth representatives, decision-makers, and young activists from Greece, Portugal, and Serbia, the project is funded by the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027 and will organize a Youth Participation Mobility. Through these initiatives, young people and policymakers hope to have a structured conversation about important issues and opportunities that affect today’s youth.

https://youdecide.gr , the recently launched website, is an all-encompassing source for news, information, and ways to get involved. The project’s goals, planned activities, and available participation options are all accessible to visitors. Additionally, the platform promotes the exchange of suggestions and ideas for developing and putting into practice youth policies throughout Europe. By empowering youth voices and promoting constructive social change, this initiative seeks to guarantee that youth actively participate in determining their own destiny. Watch this space for updates and join the YouDecide movement to change the world.

Description of the Local Event in Greece

The Youth Participation Event of the YouDecide project was held in Greece, marking a big step forward in the direction of including the opinions of young people in the processes that shape European policy. With 100 people attending this event—which was intended to be a conversation between young representatives from different youth councils and decision-makers—it provided a lively forum for interaction and cooperation.

In order to improve engagement and appeal to youth, participants in this event formulated a comprehensive set of recommendations for curriculum revision in civic education. In order to improve their reporting abilities, young journalists also received specialized training, and the social media organization “Europe4Youth” was founded to encourage constant communication and connection among young people in Europe. The event also demonstrated the growing national attention being paid to youth-related issues, which is further supported by the General Secretariat for Youth’s pledge to create a youth policy. The success of this event establishes a standard for upcoming YouDecide project activities and highlights the significance of youth involvement in determining Europe’s future.

Description of the Local Event in Serbia

The Youth Lab for the YouDecide project wrapped up in Serbia, successfully bringing together 40 participants to examine the complexities of democratic institutions and the roles that decision-makers play within them. This thought-provoking event offered a thorough examination of important subjects, such as the nature of democratic institutions, opportunities for youth involvement in EU policy-making, and the frameworks that underpin democratic governance.

Participants in the event had interesting discussions about the potential advantages of modifying democratic institutions to strengthen participatory democracy as well as how young people can impact decision-making processes. It is anticipated that the knowledge acquired from these conversations will increase youth participation in European democracy. The youth lab sought to make sure that young voices are respected and heard when determining the direction of Europe by developing stances, ideas, and recommendations. The event was executed flawlessly, which is a big step toward youth empowerment and the development of a more responsive and inclusive democratic framework.

Description of the Local Event in Portugal

The YouDecide project’s “Youth Empowerment Through Civic Education” workshop, which involved 40 participants in a lively discussion of youth advocacy and policy, has successfully held in Portugal. This workshop offered a useful forum for talking about how youth policies are developed at the national, local, and European levels as well as how to effectively include the opinions of young people in these processes.

Participants discussed important issues such as how to make sure that young voices are heard at all levels, from local to European, how to keep European politics impartial when it comes to representing the diverse interests of young people, and how to match youth policies with European values. The workshop also covered methods for raising youth councils’ profile and efficacy while encouraging increased cooperation and knowledge-sharing amongst them. The event aimed to support the continued development of youth councils and strengthen the role of youth in shaping policy by creating an atmosphere of active discussion and learning. The results are expected to have a long-term effect on the recognition and organization of youth engagement throughout Europe.

Description of the Youth Participation Mobility in Greece

At a major turning point in improving the EU Youth Dialogue, the Civic Youth Hackathon organized by the YouDecide project took place in Greece. Over the course of 4 days, 70 participants from Greece, Portugal, and Serbia created a dynamic atmosphere for cooperative problem solving and evidence-based policy formation.

The hackathon’s goal was to use youth participation to actively shape Europe’s future, with a particular emphasis on enhancing and expanding civic engagement in democratic processes. Through a series of workshops and discussions, participants examined the opportunities and challenges facing young people who want to shape policy in Europe. Inspiring moments, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchanges were all mixed together at the event, which resulted in theoretical and practical tools to help young people become engaged citizens.

The #YOUthDecideHackathon served as a vital platform for idea generation as well as a step toward enabling young people to lead positive social change. Through promoting intercultural communication and cooperation, the event effectively brought attention to the significance of young voices in the democratic process and laid the groundwork for future involvement and creativity in European policy-making.

Description of the Educational Toolbox

The purpose of the YouDecide project Educational Toolbox is to increase young people’s involvement and participation in democratic processes. This extensive resource provides educators, policymakers, and youth with insightful information as well as useful tools.

A variety of resources with a focus on important topics like youth participation models, European youth strategies, and productive communication with decision-makers are included in the toolbox. It offers doable tasks and approaches to promote digital activism, policy influence, and civic engagement. It also covers international cooperation, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity, guaranteeing a comprehensive strategy for youth empowerment. Developing informed, engaged citizens and increasing youth participation in determining their own futures are the goals of this cutting-edge resource. To get these essential resources and to join the movement towards a more inclusive and engaged Europe, visit our website and explore the You Decide Educational Toolbox.