Cabinets of Curiosities: Empowering youth in shaping the European Cultural and Political landscape

ongoing

The curiEUs Youth project is an innovative initiative designed to foster youth civic participation by strengthening European identity through the cultural and political domains. By integrating digital curation, cultural heritage, and policy engagement, the project equips young people and youth workers with the necessary skills and tools to actively participate in European democratic processes. The project follows a phygital (physical and digital) approach, combining onsite and online activities that engage GenZ youth (15-25) from diverse backgrounds, including under-represented groups. Participants explore European cultural heritage through the Cabinets of Curiosities, an early museological concept, and create links between cultural artifacts and EU policies. This interactive methodology transforms young participants into digital curators, who will transition into a Cabinet of Government, to formulate policy recommendations and advocacy strategies, culminating in the curiEUs Youth Manifesto. curiEUs Youth focuses on youth worker upskilling, providing the methodologies, digital tools, and advocacy skills to support and mentor youth in non-formal education settings. Through trainings, co-creation sessions, and mentoring activities, youth workers develop cross-sectoral collaboration and strategic communication competencies that enhance their role in youth engagement and policy advocacy. The project spans 6 partner countries, fostering transnational collaboration through Cultural Hackathons, workshops, and roundtable discussions. The dedicated Cabinets of Curiosities web app serves as a dynamic digital space, allowing participants to curate artifacts, create policy proposals, and engage in EU policy discussions. curiEUs Youth empowers young people and youth workers to engage with European civic discourse, bridging the gap between culture, politics, and civic participation while reinforcing a shared European identity.