4c Presents
civic eu:
Young Civic monitors for the future
Young people's involvement in civic life in Romania, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, and Latvia is below the European average. In these 5 countries, there is a low level of trust in young people towards public life. Vulnerable groups in society, such as people with disabilities or Roma, are more likely to be removed from their involvement in the public sphere. Many young people also feel that they have no say in political and social decisions that directly affect them, especially with policies related to their local communities or European policies. This civic disengagement can cause scepticism and distrust in European institutions and eventually lead to the rise of extremist political parties.
The project will take place for two years from November 2022 - November 2024.
phases
Phase I. Youth Capacity Building and Civic Monitoring Action.
Phase II. Youth empowerment for dialogues around EU policies.
Phase III. Sharing outputs and policy recommendations to enhance youth participation at a local level).
objectives
1. Improve the self-perception of young people and highlight their key role in participating in democratic life at subnational, national and EU levels through tailor-made and age-appropriate instruments.
2. Evaluate how capacity-building activities lead to effective, inclusive & sustainable participation of youth in democratic life.
3. Mapping, prioritising and connecting youths’ views and areas of interest with the decision-makers and relevant actors at sub-national, national and EU levels.
4. Testing and implementing the civic monitoring mechanism for 25 youths from Romania, Italy, Greece, Latvia, and Slovenia to foster participation and accountability.
5. Developing the 25 civic monitors’ awareness of their rights/opportunities, critical thinking, creativity, sense of initiative, and soft skills, enabling them to become active citizens, and express their voice in decision-making at a local, regional or transnational level.
6. Actively contributing to fostering the public participation of underrepresented groups (youth, women, marginalised and socio-vulnerable communities, minorities) in the democratic life of their communities at the national and EU level.
Reflecting on Our Civic EU Workshop: A Night of Insightful Discussions on Gender Issues and the Impact of COVID-19 on Youth
On 19 October 2024, the Civic EU workshop held in Athens focused on two key themes: gender equality and the impact of COVID-19 on youth. During the event, civic monitors, experts, and youth gathered to discuss the ongoing challenges of gender inequality, emphasising the need for inclusive policies and community-driven initiatives to address these disparities. Additionally, the workshop examined how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected youth access to civic engagement and decision-making processes. Participants highlighted both the barriers created by the pandemic, such as limited opportunities for youth involvement, and the emerging opportunities for rethinking youth participation in civic actions.
These discussions contributed to a deeper understanding of how young people can be more actively involved in shaping a post-pandemic future, reinforcing the role of youth in civic monitoring and advocacy. The workshop underscored the Civic EU project’s broader mission of empowering youth and promoting inclusive civic engagement across Europe.
Summer civic monitoring!
Here's a friendly reminder that during your summer break, there are plenty of accessible and easy civic monitoring activities you can dive into! Here are a few simple yet impactful ways to get involved:
