As part of the “Civic-EU” project, CRPE collaborated with five young civic monitors over the past year to promote active youth involvement in monitoring local public policies. Together, we identified and analysed public issues within their communities, and the outcomes of this initiative were documented in a civic monitoring report. The report includes concrete recommendations for improving these situations, ranging from the management of green areas and waste to enforcing construction discipline in Bucharest.
After publishing the reports, we focused on transferring the knowledge and tools necessary for other young people to actively engage in monitoring public policies within their communities. Overall, we organised two civic engagement workshops attended by over 70 high school students from Timișoara and Bucharest, as well as a public debate in Timișoara with candidates for the European Parliament elections.
Workshop 1: C.D. Loga National College, Timișoara
The first workshop was held at C.D. Loga National College in Timișoara, where our team of civic monitors, along with the “Politică la minut” team, worked with 45 students from the 11th and 12th grades. During this workshop, the students were guided to identify problems in their community and explore potential solutions through an interactive simulation.
During the two days of intense activities, the students had the opportunity to learn how to use various civic tools to overcome the challenges they identified and to go through the necessary steps to bring about positive changes in their community.
The issues they highlighted included:
- Increasing accessibility of pedestrian areas;
- The need for equitable distribution of funds for the renovation of educational institutions and historical buildings;
- The rehabilitation of green spaces and sewage systems;
- Improving public transportation efficiency and working conditions for employees.
Workshop 2: “Sfântul Sava” National College, Bucharest
The second workshop was organized at “Sfântul Sava” National College in Bucharest. Here, the students demonstrated their ability to quickly identify the community’s needs, ranging from improving traffic and public transportation to the necessity of a more efficient social system. During this workshop, we discussed the civic tools they could use to gain support from local administration and organized a simulation of a public hearing, followed by an interactive debate.
Public Debate: Youth in Dialogue with European Parliament Candidates
“Youth and European Parliament Candidates: Face to Face” was an event organized in collaboration with the Timiș County Youth Foundation (FITT) and the Timișoara Community Foundation, aimed at facilitating direct dialogue between young people and candidates for the European Parliament elections. The event included a panel with three speakers—independent candidates and representatives of political parties—followed by an interactive Q&A session. In the first part of the event, we discussed the importance of active civic participation and highlighted useful tools for young people with members of civil society, lobby organizations, and student associations: Daniela Chesaru (Executive Director, Timișoara Community Foundation), Luca Muntean (President, Timiș Student Association), and Yolanda Florescu (Lobbying Specialist, National Youth Foundation).
The topics discussed included:
- Creating support structures for youth civic engagement;
- Introducing civic education classes in schools;
- Increasing the accessibility of European policies for young people;
- Implementing measures to combat gender inequality.
Policy recommendations
As a result of the workshops and the youth dialogue debate between young people and European Parliament candidates, we developed a set of 10 suggestions to address youth participation.
- Activities that encourage the youth to vote
The youth voting presence (18-34 years old) in Romania is alarming: in 2020, only 25% exercised this crucial political right. Thus, a project that was presented by The Timis County Student Association is the “Tinerii Voteaza” Initiative (TR: “The Youth Votes” Initiative). Regional Student Associations partnered with NGOs and political experts and organised civic workshops all across the country, including rural areas to inform students about the political system and underline the importance of their vote.
- The creation of support structures for youth civic engagement
Young people need both guidance and financial support in order to put their ideas into practice. A programme that brings together experts from civil society or potential investors and young people willing to contribute with innovative ideas would directly tackle this need. Youth workers who devise a plan for solving local problems should present it to the association and request their help.
- Introduction of civic education classes in the school curriculum
In the 2024 local and EU elections, over 1 million young people voted for the first time. To make sure that they make an informed choice, civic education and democracy classes must be introduced in schools and high schools. This way, the youth will understand how the political system works and be encouraged to think critically when evaluating the campaigns of different parties.
- Encouraging volunteering activities in schools and high schools
Volunteering activities are an essential part of our society, contributing to the lives of underprivileged people and underlining necessary state policies. During our events, some participants believed that this activity should be made mandatory in high schools or universities, while others disagreed. However, everyone agreed that volunteering should be strongly promoted in educational institutions.
- Career orientation programmes
Career orientation programmes, either through NGOs or as a separate school subject, aim to bring together students with professionals from different fields. Without proper information, young students might follow career paths that might not fit their life goals or values. This program could help those who are interested in civic participation choose jobs that have an impact on their communities.
- Making European policies more accessible for the youth
A prerequisite for youth participation is the feeling that they are being listened to and that their opinions are accounted for. At the European level, initiatives that consult with the youth in regards to what their needs are, such as the EU Youth Dialogue, are highly necessary. Additionally, the students felt there should be an increased level of cooperation between EU deputies and young aspiring politicians. EU Politicians should serve as role models and mentors for young people and listen to their opinions in regards to projects that target the youth.
- Increased access to cross-border opportunities
Another proposal was to increase access to opportunities that bring together young people from different European countries. These can include conferences, competitions or job fairs that connect young people from various countries with each other and with European institutions. This promotes the exchange of ideas and strategies for civic participation.
- Measures tackling gender equality within politics
An initiative to tackle the underrepresentation of women in politics is a mentoring programme for women in parliament or other institutions. Young aspiring politicians would participate in a mentoring programme with a parliamentarian, engaging in various activities, from learning how to write laws to attending conferences.
- Increased support for students from rural areas
Before being able to be involved in the civic society, various needs must be met, such as access to proper nutrition, housing and education. Therefore, it is crucial that more funds are allocated towards the youth in rural areas to cover their food, transportation to schools in other cities or other needs.
- Increased mental health support
Young people are currently facing increased challenges, from digitalisation to global warming and housing crises. The participants agreed that mental health support is necessary to cope with all these problems. A speaker suggested that it is necessary for the state to subsidise several therapy sessions.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
