EU Youth Dialogue

ended

The 8th cycle of EU Youth Dialogue focuses on space for participation and democracy. 2021 is an election year in Estonia and for the second time in history, people aged 16 and 17 have the right to cast their vote in the ballot at municipal council elections. Estonian National Youth Council, which initiated and led the process of lowering active voting age, feels like it is now our responsibility to ensure this right has not been granted in vain and that youth use their civil right. Therefore, the focus on the project is mainly on elections and raising awareness on the democratic right of voting. We wish to give the space for young people to learn about elections, make an informed decision and understand their rights. Therefore, there is a need for a broader conversation about these topics which have not been as elementary in the past, which is a goal this project wishes to fulfil. Public space, which includes the media landscape, educational institutions, youth centres and much more, should provide an environment where young people are motivated and feel safe understanding this newfound form of participation. Up to this day, young people’s capabilities and competencies to use this right wisely have been discussed and debated in society and certain myths are still thought to be true, which raises the need for this project to tackle these problems and counteract the distrust in young people amongst older generations and decision makers. With the main goal of bringing more young people to vote when compared to elections of 2017, the project also focuses on the much-needed awareness- and capability-raising work to ensure a more equal access to society and various forms of participation. Therefore, the project also includes several events and activities which aim at teaching and spreading information about participation to young people, and to initiate a dialogue between youth and decision makers.