Fostering Political Participation among Young Europeans with Intellectual and Psychosocial Disabilities

ongoing

SPARK aims to boost political participation among young Europeans with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. Aligned with EU values, it advocates policy changes, raises awareness, and develops tailored programs, empowering youth organizations and fostering inclusion, SPARK seeks to bridge the gap in democratic engagement for this demographic. It consists of 3 implementing WPs and 2 horizontal and spans over a 24-month duration, comprising 7 partners from 6 countries. The project SPARK responds to a critical gap in political engagement among young Europeans with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. Existing research highlights the significant barriers faced by this demographic, with a notable lack of attention given to their political rights and participation. While strides have been made in promoting inclusivity in various spheres, individuals with disabilities continue to encounter hurdles in exercising their democratic rights, which have been made particularly evident in the context of upcoming European Parliament elections. The project's objectives align closely with the specific and horizontal goals outlined in the European Youth Together call. By promoting core EU values, encouraging civic engagement, and fostering inclusion and diversity, SPARK aims to empower youth organizations and local policy actors to lead initiatives for the inclusion of young people with disabilities in democratic life.