Context

The Youth Empowerment for a Stronger Europe (YES) project was developed in response to the growing challenge of engaging young people in democratic life, particularly at the European level. Many young individuals, especially those from low socio-economic and educational backgrounds, lack access to the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to participate meaningfully in political and civic processes.

This initiative seeks to strengthen youth engagement by promoting awareness of the European Union, democracy, and active citizenship. Recent surveys, such as the European Parliament Youth Survey (2021) and the Youth and Democracy in the European Year of Youth Report (2022), highlight that young people often feel underrepresented and disconnected from political systems. In response, the project offers targeted training opportunities designed to empower young people to become active, informed participants in their communities and beyond.

Objectives

The project aims to increase youth participation in democratic processes by equipping them with the tools and opportunities needed to develop innovative solutions to tackle social challenges and advocate for their implementation. It will support young people in becoming recognised and impactful advocates for an inclusive and just Europe, grounded in the core values of the European Union.

The YES Project will empower young participants to plan and run their own advocacy campaigns, and through dedicated training and mentoring, they will gain practical skills in advocacy, communication, and campaign planning. At the same time, the project will foster meaningful connections among youth from across Europe. Participants will engage in intercultural exchanges, gaining a deeper understanding of diverse social realities and democratic practices within different European contexts.

Activities and outcomes

Trainings

As part of the YES project, two interactive training sessions are designed to equip Young Advocates with comprehensive knowledge and a diverse set of skills for meaningful social engagement and democratic participation.

The first training on Social Innovations will focus on identifying and understanding the social challenges that matter most to the participants. Young Advocates will explore the underlying socio-political causes of these issues and examine how they relate to European policymaking. They will also be introduced to practical tools for developing innovative and impactful solutions within a democratic framework. The second training, which will focus on Advocacy, will build on this foundation, guiding participants in designing and implementing their own advocacy campaigns at both the local and European levels.

Young Advocates Network

As part of the project, young people from diverse backgrounds will be invited to join a dedicated Discord channel for young advocates. This online space will enable them to connect with peers from across Europe who share similar interests in civic engagement and social change. The platform will serve as a meeting point, where participants can exchange ideas, express concerns, and share personal experiences related to citizen participation and the social challenges affecting their communities.

Advocacy campaigns

Following an initial training phase focused on equipping young participants with essential knowledge and advocacy skills, the YES Project will support them in designing and implementing their own advocacy campaigns. Through a dedicated mentoring program, these young advocates will receive ongoing guidance and encouragement as they address various social issues affecting their local communities. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to present the outcomes of their campaigns to both local and European policymakers, amplifying their voices and potentially influencing real change at multiple levels of governance.

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