Young people should not have to wait until adulthood to have a say in their communities. They have their own ideas, identify problems in their communities, and with the right support, they can turn their plans into action. The young people involved in EUTEAM – A Programme for Young People and Virtual Exchanges project have shown us that civic participation is best learnt through experience and that getting involved in the life of the community can start at any age.
Online workshop brings together over 80 young people from four countries to discuss 77 project ideas
On 2nd November 2026, CRPE organised an online workshop that brought together more than 80 young people from Romania, Moldova, Armenia, and Slovakia to discuss the projects that they had carried out through EUTEAM and the lessons they had learned along the way. We had seven youth teams skillfully presenting their work (out of the 77 action plans developed during the project).
Their experiences showed just how varied civic participation can be. In Slovakia, young people organised solidarity campaigns supporting people with disabilities and carried out the project ‘Help for Paws’ committed to helping animals in shelters. In Armenia, they focused on developing digital skills. In Moldova, participants promoted greener transport, set up bicycle parking facilities, and created opportunities for young people to express themselves through photography and media. In Romania, youth teams addressed cyberbullying, discrimination, and wellbeing in schools. They used debates, comic-strip competitions, and newspaper-theatre, and conducted research to involve their peers and launch open discussions about these issues.
What would youths like to change in their communities?
In addition to presenting their projects, the workshop gave us a chance to listen to what young people want to see in their communities: more welcoming schools, practical learning opportunities, and greater inclusion and equal opportunities for all. Participants also stressed the need for funding and resources that would allow students to mobilise their ideas into practice. Furthermore, they also spoke openly about the difficulties they had faced, from encouraging classmates to get involved to finding the support and resources needed to carry out a project. All in all, their experiences reminded us that civic participation also means learning by doing, overcoming challenges, embracing resilience, and working together to make a difference.
Youth civic participation: An essential part of open and democratic societies
At CRPE, we believe that civic participation is an essential pillar of democracy and that youths should be encouraged to take part in community life from an early age. With democratic societies facing growing challenges, it is increasingly important to encourage participation, dialogue, and cooperation. Of course, a single project cannot solve every problem in a community, but one initiative can encourage other projects and inspire collaboration. This is why young people need more than opportunities to express their opinions. They also need resources, support, and the confidence to act on their ideas.
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.
