Connect Act Youth Reloaded

forthcoming

The Connect Act Youth Reloaded project, coordinated by Solidarity Tracks and its European network, builds on the “Connect Act” partnership (2023–2025). It aims to promote democratic participation and social inclusion among young people, especially those in vulnerable situations—NEETs, migrants, youth with disabilities, and those from rural areas. Based on inclusive, non-formal, and participatory pedagogy, the project aligns with the four strategic pillars of the EU Youth Strategy: ENGAGE, CONNECT, EMPOWER, IMPACT. Activities include: Erasmus+ youth exchanges, European Solidarity Corps (ESC), supported by learn2volunteer.eu, Citizen hackathons (HackaVol), Ecological Youth Assemblies, Simulated E-Youth Councils, Volunnect Talks, and Misinformation Labs. It also promotes the use of digital educational platforms: youtheclub.eu, sportsocialact.org, and e-rescue.eu. By 2026–2027, the project aims to: Train 120 educators and 100 e-volunteers, Engage 8,500 young people via platforms, Support over 40 eco-citizen initiatives, Raise awareness of EU youth policies among 6,000 young people. The project directly responds to Erasmus+ priorities—inclusion, youth participation, and green/digital transitions—and is informed by research conducted within the network on disinformation, exclusion, the digital divide, and climate anxiety. It applies a holistic support model combining hybrid access, experiential learning, peer mentoring, and structured youth engagement. With a strong anchor in Lefkada, Greece, and a reach across 60+ European partners, the initiative promotes sustainable change. Its impact is monitored using a robust set of quantitative and qualitative indicators (platform use, initiative tracking, inclusion rates, feedback), underpinned by a participatory evaluation approach. Ultimately, Connect Act Youth Reloaded is a Europe-wide empowerment strategy fostering a more inclusive, democratic and sustainable future for all young people.