Close Encounters of European Kind is a six-month initiative by European Dialogue aimed at strengthening the connection between Slovak citizens and the European Union, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 European Parliament elections. At a time when Slovakia had the lowest turnout in the 2019 EP elections, the project focuses on young people, especially those from rural areas, minority groups, or communities vulnerable to disinformation, to foster a greater sense of belonging to the European public sphere.
The project blends media production, civic education, and community-building through engaging activities such as high school workshops on digital citizenship, a youth media academy, a podcast series, and video campaigns encouraging informed political participation. Personal stories are central: participants, young creators, journalists, and change-makers co-create content that reflects the everyday impact of EU policies and the value of democratic engagement.
Cooperating with the platform together.eu, the project connects citizens with the tools and networks needed for long-term participation in European democracy. Events and media are designed to be interactive, inclusive, and accessible, empowering participants to become active agents of change, not just at the ballot box, but in shaping the conversation about Europe.
Project goals
- Raise awareness of the EU, its institutions, values, and everyday relevance.
- Increase interest in and participation in the 2024 European Parliament elections.
- Tackle misinformation and promote media literacy.
- Build and support a community of young change-makers in Slovakia together.eu.
Key outcomes
- School roadshows on digital citizenship and online participation
- 90-second video campaign: My vision for the EU
- Slovak Youth Media Academy
- Euro-breakfasts with discussions on EU topics
- Online competition: What does the EU mean to my generation?
- Interactive series: EUschool, Ideas Worth Sharing, YouthFully Engaged, EU Explorer
- Podcasts and short videos debunking myths about the EU and EP
Project team
Useful links:
Content-related YouTube playlist (in Slovak)
Podcast: Why it makes sense to be interested in what's happening in the European Parliament with - Tatiana Tökölyová (in Slovak)
Podcast: European Parliament Elections in a Nutshell – How and Why to Vote - with Pavol Kucharovic (in Slovak)
Podcast: What is Slovakia's role in the EU - with Inka Borárošová (in Slovak)