From April 8 to 14, European Association “World-Our Home” organized the Erasmus+ youth worker mobility project – seminar “Be Active-Be European” in Rezekne, Latvia.
35 participants from 8 European countries participated in the project – Latvia, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Lithuania, Greece, Czech Republic and Poland. The project was financed by the Erasmus+ program and Agency for International Programs for Youth.
The aim of this seminar was to give youth workers and youth leaders the opportunity to gain new knowledge and experience, to inspire European youth to actively participate in the upcoming European Parliament elections 2024. The aim of the project was also to discuss with representatives of European organizations the role of young people in EU civic life, promoting participation, raising awareness of the challenges caused by Euroscepticism, studying how the European Union Parliament works, how EU policy is formed and how important the EU elections are and what are the significant achievements of the EU . During the project, participants took part in informative sessions, shared experiences and discussed the positive impact of the EU on its citizens.
The goal was achieved and the participants gained new experience, met new European partners, increased the capacity of NGOs providing youth workers with new skills and competences.
Within the framework of the project, we cooperated with the East Latvian creative service center “Zeimuls”, Rēzekne City Council. During the project, the Participation event “Youth involvement – for the future of Europe” was organized. Project participants well as Rēzekne City Youth Council, representatives of Rēzekne and regional self-governments, associations that work with youth, consultants of school self-governments took part in the event. The issues relevant to young people related to democracy, participation and active citizenship were discussed together. The topic of participation in the European Parliament elections and why it is important was brought up.
Examples of democracy and participation projects were presented, how young people can get involved in various programs and activities. Schools presented their work on participation issues.
Young people discussed the possibilities of realizing the European Youth goals.
Many thanks to everyone who helped realize this project, as well as to the Erasmus+ program and the Agency for International Programs for Youth in Latvia for funding.