Youth Inspires Politics
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Programmes:
All project activities were based on non-formal learning methods. Hence they consisted of seminars, workshops, hands-on learning in groups (development of ideas/proposals), presentations, discussions, intercultural exchange, mutual learning, and exchange of experiences. Informal learning during study visits, and get-to-know each other and leisure time activities was also important.
Method of Storypooling was used to develop and collect ideas and proposals. It is defined as a collected group of ideas, background story, and feedback related to one topic but based on real experiences and live situations of young people). Storypooling lives from self-determined policy development by the young people since its creation in 2011 by CYP Charlottenburg – Wilmersdorf. It’s quite a unique method and framework, combining several methods.
First international activity was a kick-off meeting in Trnava in July 2019. It brought together 5 participants from each partner country to get to know each other, work of partners related to youth participation, topic of youth advocacy, YouthMetre materials and tools, and relevant good practices from Slovakia (participatory budget in the Trnava Region, support of youth in the city of Trnava). They explored details of eSPOONe and Storypooling method, met representatives of the Trnava Region and city of Trnava. The participants were using the YouthMetre dashboard and map and working on review of the EU youth indicators. They also worked on the design of their own advocacy campaign to put their theoretical knowledge in practice.
Second international activity was a meeting in Brussels in October 2019. It brought together 7 participants from each partner country to get introduced into diplomacy and protocol, learn more about the history of European integration, and meet with decision makers and high-officials from public institutions: representatives of the UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (with focus on advocacy activities of UNEP), Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union (focus was on policies and strategies against disinformation), and European Commission. They also met with representatives of a private organisation – Fondation Euractiv – to learn about EU advocacy from their perspective. The participants also worked on elaboration of their ideas.
Third activity took place in Berlin in February 2020. It again brought together 7 participants from each partner country. They gained more insights into the CYP, met with decision makers and high-officials: representatives of Bundestag, Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin, and the city district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. Hence they had an opportunity to discuss with decision-makers from three geographical levels: local, regional, and federal. During another meeting and workshop they discussed with representatives of Deutscher Bundesjugendring – specifically members of their jump-Team which focuses on structured dialogue. The participants worked on ideas related to the European Youth Goal number 6: Moving Rural Youth Forward. They also explored details of eSPOONe and Storypooling method during the meeting with Christian Meysing at the OSZ Handel I. Last but not least, participants attended the meeting with mayors of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and Polish town of Meseritz and learnt about their cross-border collaboration. Part of the meeting was also the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the MERLIN Box, which has been created by youth from Meseritz.
Slovak participants cooperated on an online event organised in the scope of Youth Inspires Politics. It was only for young people from Slovakia, but members of CYP Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf participated to share the best practices.
The last event was eventually replaced by a series of online discussions on December 15 and 16, 2021. The participants met with representatives of good practices – Youth parliament of the city of Bardejov, CYP, and Active Youth Lithuania – and young politicians – members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic and the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. They also discussed ideas related to three topics: recommendations on what could make the work of youth parliaments or councils better, ideas on other initiatives (that would help engage youth in decision making), and other ideas (e.g. what they would like to change in their community). They also had an opportunity to share their ideas after the event and get consultancy from the European Dialogue.
Final ideas and recommendations created by participants
In this document, there is one page for each of the three areas – recommendations related to youth parliaments/councils, ideas on other initiatives for youth participation, and any other relevant ideas.
Presentations by trainers and organisers
Advocacy and campaigning by Martin Maška
Basics of diplomacy and protocol by Martin Maška
Training resources developed during the YouthMetre project were used during Youth Inspires Politics events as well.
Impressions from the Youth Inspires Politics events
You can check the pictures on our social media, or in the gallery.
European Dialogue / Európsky Dialóg, o.z.
Financed by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, KA3 – Dialogue between young people and policy makers, through its Slovak National Agency – IUVENTA.
Participants of the Youth Inspires Politics events can receive LinkedIn certificate. If you are one of them, please write to m.maska@europskydialog.eu for details that are needed to complete the certificate.
