Youth for Democracy and Values

ongoing

"Projects will support active citizenship and political participation of youth in partner countries, coming from 3 different European regions. As well as, the project will foster the development of social and intercultural competencies, critical thinking, and soft and transversal skills. The focus will be on raising awareness of and understanding the European Union context, European identity, and the importance of active participation in decision-making processes at the local level, especially among youngsters. To strengthen the connection between democracy and active citizenship and active participation in the decision-making process at the local level, and recognizing that each is mutually dependent on the other, is the most important result of this project. We will achieve it through the enhancement of democratic governance and the rule of law by fostering a culture of active citizenship, promoting civic education, and empowering individuals with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. We hope this project will help improve the quality and accessibility of NFE in partner countries by collaborating with youth organizations, educational institutions, and decision-making bodies, and help bridge the gap in the existing system. Research indicates that participation in different forms may be on the increase, for example, pressure groups, civic initiatives, consultative organs, and so on. These forms of participation are just as important to the effective functioning of democracy as voter turnout at elections, if not more so. In Europe as well, even in the more traditional democracies, ""people power"" appears to have found a new lease of life: students have protested in many countries against moves by governments to impose fees on education. Trade unions have brought people onto the streets to protest about the impact of economic cuts."