What do youths know and learn about the EU? Insights from the EUTEAM Youth Survey
As part of the EUTEAM project, a youth engagement initiative implemented in Romania, Moldova, Georgia, and Slovakia, we have conducted a Voices of Youth: Understanding Awareness, Engagement, and Learning through the EUTEAM Survey. The goal was twofold: to evaluate the impact of EUTEAM’s educational activities and to better understand how youth perceive and engage with civic participation, media literacy, and diversity.
Youth awareness of EU opportunities: Interest vs. Information gaps
The survey shows that young people across Romania, Moldova, Georgia, and Slovakia have a relatively high self-rated knowledge of Erasmus+ (average score: 3.7 out of 5), with nearly two-thirds of respondents spontaneously naming it as the best-known EU initiative for youth. 16% had actually participated in it in person, 16% online and 1 in 2 expressed their interest to participate. 1 in 4 did not know about the program or show no interest in participating.
Although interest is high, when asked whether they or someone they know had benefited from any EU initiative for youth, only 12% said they had personally, and 24% knew someone who had. Notably, 37% were unsure and 20% answered NO, indicating that the majority of respondents lack clarity on how EU programs, even Erasmus, have impacted themselves or their peers.
When asked which topic they find most important at the EU level, respondents rated maintaining peace, protecting human rights, upholding democracy and EU values, and promoting mental and physical health and wellbeing as the most important. Maintaining peace emerged as the top priority.
EU programs need more visibility among youths
Another telling figure: only 13% of respondents could name an EU-funded initiative that had made a positive impact in their community. A large majority—87%—could not. Young people aged 16–19 were more likely to recognize such projects than those aged 13–15, suggesting that age, education level, and exposure are key factors in shaping awareness. The main barriers identified were limited outreach and lack of opportunities at local or school level, echoing a broader need to improve how EU youth programs are presented and made accessible.
EUTEAM program feedback: Learning that matters
The EUTEAM educational modules, focused on civic engagement, media literacy, and diversity, were well received. 53% of participants said the training had contributed significantly to their personal, educational, or professional development, with 35% evaluating the program as providing average benefits for their development. Youth suggested improvements like more real-life examples, better visual materials, and more in-person interaction.
Module 1: Civic Engagement – While 38% volunteered and 31% joined school projects, only 5% ever contacted public authorities, 6% had attended a local council meeting, 9% signed a petition or 10% joined an NGO. When asked about the most pressing challenges in their communities, young people pointed to social issues like inequality and discrimination (31%), economic concerns such as poverty and unemployment (30%), and environmental problems including pollution and climate change (30%).
Module 2: Media Literacy – Even though 58% get their daily news from social media, only 1 in 4 youth recognized encountering fake news, and 63% were not sure. The most frequently used sources of daily information among young people are social media platforms, followed by friends, colleagues, or family members. Among those who did identify disinformation, the examples were mostly political or related to misleading online campaigns. This shows the need for more targeted efforts to boost digital literacy and fact-checking skills.
Module 3: Diversity and Anti-Discrimination – Around 1 in 3 young people reported experiencing discrimination, with girls affected more often (40%) than boys (30%). Schools (74%) and online spaces (36%) were the most common settings. Nearly half witnessed discrimination, with half reporting that they supported the victim, 20% did not know how to react, and 10% were too afraid. Encouragingly, most youths viewed diversity as beneficial for teamwork, creativity, and decision-making, though 25% were unsure of its effects or provided no answer.
Why It Matters
This survey highlights both the potential and the limitations of youth engagement today. Young people are interested, motivated, and eager to learn—but many lack the access, tools, or information to fully benefit from EU initiatives or participate meaningfully in democratic life. Projects like EUTEAM are crucial to closing this gap. Through practical learning, inclusive formats, and international cooperation, we help build a more informed, active, and connected generation of European citizens.
The full report Voices of Youth: Understanding Awareness, Engagement, and Learning through the EUTEAM Survey is available here
More about the project below:
Empowering youth through civic education, media literacy, and inclusion
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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.
