YOUTH IMPACT: engaging politics, building communities

ongoing

Voter turnout, one of the most important forms of political participation, has been declining since the 1950s, posing a major challenge to democracies around the world. The question of who participates in political decision-making is one of the defining features of democracy. A situation in which only a few participate in the political process or in which certain groups are excluded from decision-making imposes clear limits on democratic rule. In the youth sector, the need that emerges particularly is to strengthen the active role of the new generations in the processes of civic and political life. Young people, and more specifically, those of disadvantaged backgrounds, lack the opportunities and the (soft and hard) skills to create a voice for themselves. This becomes an enormous obstacle to their ability to participate in civic and political life. Therefore, the project aims to empower disadvantaged youth through comprehensive training in hard skills, soft skills, and media literacy, with a particular focus on the design and implementation of youth festivals as dynamic tools within local contexts. The primary objective is to enhance civic engagement, foster increased political participation, and promote community building among the youth. These festivals are envisioned as vibrant expressions of pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity, and equality, representing the diverse perspectives and values of the younger generation. The project structure, developed through a co-design phase, is based on an innovative model of governance with each WP to be co-governed by two partners: TRAINING & EMPOWERMENT (WP2) POLITICAL PARTICIPATION & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (WP3) DIGITAL & ADVOCACY (WP4) COMMUNICATION, DISSEMINATION AND SUSTAINABILITY (WP5) In the course of Youth Impact, we will train 32 youth workers and 168 young community animators, implement 8 Youth Exchanges and 8 youth festivals (2800 people engaged) and produce a final position paper.