voices of the next generationWe are very pleased to announce the launch of the KA3 European Youth Together Erasmus+ project “Voices of the Next Generation: Future Decision-Makers on European Values and Citizenship”. The project has been co-funded by European Union.

“Voices of the Next Generation: Future Decision-Makers on European Values and Citizenship” is a youth-led project which aims to reinforce the cooperation between youth organizations in order to stimulate/boost active citizenship and participation in democratic processes by supporting youngsters’ development and empowering them to become active members of the European Community. 200 young people between 18 and 25 years old will be empowered to become active citizens on local and European level during 5 Youth Exchanges (YE) and Final Conference on topics of sustainable Europe, media literacy, simulation of election to European Parliament, advocacy, solidarity and volunteering. Participants will have a opportunity to meet with different stakeholders physically or virtually during the Final conference and present them their solutions, but also to network and create new initiatives with them. The project deliverable will series of 6 short-movies which will be recorded during the activities of this project and showing the vision of young people on actual issues of our societies and European values in general. The objectives of the project: To bring together young people from different regions of Europe for a series of youth exchanges, allowing them to network and collaborate on projects focused on active citizenship and democratic participation. To create a series of short movies promoting values of the EU, visions and solutions of young people to the current issues and challenges of Europe. To promote the values of the EU and to engage young people in a discussion about the future of the EU. To promote the participation of under-represented groups of young people To organize Youth Exchange with the aim to simulate the EP election process with subsequent visit of Parlamentarium in Brussels, as a lead-up to the 2024 elections to the European Parliament.

Project Timeline voices of the next generation

1/2024 Kick-off
4/2024 YE on EP election simulation in Czech Republic
7/2024 YE on advocacy via Oxfordian debates in Estonia
10/2024 YE on sustainable Green Europe in Spain
1/2025 Mid-term consortium meeting – online
3/2025 YE on solidarity, volunteering and inclusive society in Romania
6-7/2025 YE on media literacy in Germany
9/2025 Final conference in Italy
9/2025 Final evaluation in Italy

Project partners

voices of the next generation1. CESTA ROZVOJE, ZS, Czechia

2. ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE EUFEMIA APS (EUFEMIA), Italy

3. ASOCIATIA AUM (AUM), Romania

4. EUROPEAN YOUTH PRESS NETWORK OF YOUNG MEDIA MAKERS EV (EYP), Germany

5. CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION DEFENSA Y PROMOCION DE LOS DERECHOS DE LOS NINOS, NINAS Y ADOLESCENTES – ILEWAS (ILEWASI), Spain

6. MITTETULUNDUSUHING NOORED UHISKONNA HEAKS (HEAKS), Estonia

 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only
and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

 

Voices of the Next Generation: Empowering Youth in Pärnu, Estonia voices of the next generation

From July 14th to 21st, the charming town of Pärnu, Estonia, became a vibrant hub of youthful energy and innovative thinking as it hosted the “Voices of the Next Generation” Youth Exchange. Young people from across Europe gathered for an incredible week of learning, networking, and cultural exchange. This event provided participants with the unique opportunity to dive deep into a variety of critical topics, including literacy, entrepreneurship, citizenship, multilingualism, cultural awareness, and social skills.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in interactive workshops, formed meaningful connections with peers, and built strong networks that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. 

Several exercises developed during the workshops focused on enhancing participants’ ability to respond to questions on how they could develop skills through advocacy activities. Among these, the young participants were asked to reflect on the following questions:voices of the next generation

  1. When and how did you adapt your language to different people you were talking to?
  2. What did you learn about teamwork and cooperation?
  3. How can you contribute to social initiatives around you?
  4. Do you feel confident expressing yourself in a foreign language?
  5. Did you learn any creative forms of expressing yourself?
  6. What new insights did you discover about yourself to improve your personal and professional skills?
  7. What kinds of technologies are you using during the project?

These questions provided a platform for participants to gather in groups and analyse their best responses through team discussions.

In addition to brainstorming activities like this, other workshops and lectures were conducted to explore the development of soft skills such as public speaking, the ability to engage in healthy debates, basic communication knowledge, and interactive activities known as “Break the Ice” sessions. There were also outdoor activities where participants enjoyed music, dance, meals throughout the day, and rest breaks that fostered collective interaction.

voices of the next generationOverall, the atmosphere during the event was one of relaxation, the creation of new friendships, and the development of skills that these young people can carry into their professional lives both within and outside their communities. Additionally, participants grew closer to the host institution’s ongoing activities, further strengthening their connection to the event’s mission.

The event was more than just a learning experience—it was a space where the next generation of European citizens and leaders were inspired and empowered to take action in their communities. One of the participants, Anjali Subhash, a 23-year-old from Germany, shared her reflections on the exchange. Anjali shared that the exchange in Pärnu, Estonia, was inspiring and exceeded her expectations with its welcoming atmosphere and impactful activities. She also said that she learned the importance of collaboration, storytelling, and adaptability in effective advocacy. Subhash pointed out that the event boosted her confidence and provided practical tools to initiate advocacy projects in Berlin. When asked about any advice that could be given for future participants, Anjali recommended to stay open-minded, engage fully, and don’t hesitate to share your ideas. About her next steps after the exchange, the German participant shared that she plans to expand awareness campaigns in Berlin, needing resources, mentorship, and networking for sustained impact.

voices of the next generationThis enriching experience in Pärnu is just one of many exciting opportunities to come. We have a series of other Youth Exchanges planned for 2024 and 2025. To participate, it’s important to stay tuned to our social media channels for updates on registration periods. This project represents a collaboration between various institutions dedicated to uniting Europe’s youth and spreading knowledge on crucial political and social topics.

Here are some of the upcoming events:

During these five Youth Exchanges and the Final Conference in 2024–2025, participants will explore topics such as a sustainable Europe, media literacy, simulation of European Parliament elections, advocacy, solidarity, and volunteering. You’ll have the chance to meet various stakeholders, present your solutions, and network to create new initiatives.

voices of the next generationA series of six short films will be produced during these activities, capturing the vision of young people on current societal issues and European values. These films will not only highlight the voices of youth but also encourage their active participation in politics and decision-making processes.

Make sure to follow us and our partner organisations to stay updated on the new dates and application information. Registration details will be shared on the websites of the participating organisations and on our official Voice of The Next Generation page.

We are deeply grateful for the participation of everyone involved and hope to see even more of you at our future events. Together, we can continue to shape the future of Europe!



2024-08-27T13:42:00+00:00

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