EmpowerYouth: Increasing Youth Engagement in Public Decision-Making

Youth participation in decision-making is a key element of any democratic society. However, many young people feel excluded from the process because they do not see a tangible impact of their involvement, and participation mechanisms often seem bureaucratic, inaccessible, or merely formal. Insufficient civic education, lack of trust in the public authorities and the feeling that their voices are not heard discourage them from engaging. Additionally, participation opportunities are not always tailored to their needs and realities. Unfortunately, according to the Eurobarometer on the European Year of Youth (2022), 1 in 4 young people state that they have no interest in getting involved.

EmpowerYouth: Supporting youth organizations to influence decision-making on issues that matter to young people is an ambitious initiative funded under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Youth 2024 program, aiming to directly address these challenges.

Project Goal

EmpowerYouth seeks to enhance the political and civic participation of young people in Romania, Armenia, Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova by fostering an open dialogue between youth and decision-makers. The project focuses on increasing civic engagement through environmental and climate-related issues, topics that resonate strongly with young people and serve as a catalyst for participation. Advocating for environmentally friendly policies and combating climate change are among the top expectations young people have from the European Union.

The project is implemented by the Center for European Policy and Advocacy (CRPE) in Romania in partnership with the Center for Research and Advocacy in European Affairs (Moldova), Association Atinati (Georgia), and Gyumri Youth Initiative Centre NGO (Armenia).

Project Objectives

EmpowerYouth aims to:

1. Strengthen youth organizations’ capacities: Support 80 youth organizations from Romania, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia by equipping them with the necessary tools to enhance public participation and influence policymaking.
2. Promote civic engagement: Encourage dialogue between young people and public authorities and provide financial and technical support for small, youth-led projects focused on environmental and climate policies.
3. Enhance cooperation: Establish partnerships between EU and non-EU countries to share best practices and initiate new youth-focused projects.

EmpowerYouth Activities

1. Developing training kits and learning resources: Customized materials and interactive training sessions (games, presentations) to support youth organizations in understanding and participating in decision-making processes.
2. Training sessions and exchange programs: Organizing dedicated training programs and a long-term mentoring initiative, including study visits, physical and online workshops.
3. Supporting youth-led events: At least 20 local events will be organized, focusing on climate action and civic participation within local communities.
4. Transnational collaboration: Facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange and the development of joint solutions.
5. Communication campaigns: Showcasing success stories and raising awareness about the importance of youth participation.

Implementation Period: November 2024 – October 2026

————————

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.