Youth Eco-Activism in the EU

Youth Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship | YEA-EU Erasmus+ Youth Mobility in Portugal

From the 26th to the 30th November, young people from France, Ireland, Denmark, Italy, Romania, and Portugal came together in Lisbon for an inspiring event focused on youth entrepreneurship and the setting up of youth NGOs. Hosted by For Citizens Institute, the mobility aimed to empower youth participants to explore entrepreneurship, build impactful NGOs, and foster cross-cultural collaboration. The Project ‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU‘ is a KA220 youth project designed to raise awareness of the climate crisis among young people and equip them with the tools to take initiative and address these issues. Specifically, the project’s goal is to guide youth in creating their own social enterprises focused on mitigating climate change and to encourage more young people to engage in climate action through youth-led activism and participation in the EU elections in June 2024. The project involves young people and youth workers from France, Ireland, Portugal, Romania and Denmark. It includes local activities and 2 youth mobilities in 2024. Partners will also create two practical guidebooks on online activism and EU elections, and a platform with information to set-up youth-NGOs. The project has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all ongoing and scheduled activities. Day 1: Introductions and Teambuilding The first day began with participants meeting each other and learning about the host organization and partners. The morning sessions also included team building activities to set a good collaborative environment for the week. In the afternoon, participants engaged in roundtable discussions about the role of NGOs in society and the significance of youth-led initiatives. The day concluded with a Portuguese and Italian cultural night, where participants showcased their countries’ traditions. Day 2: Understanding and Exploring NGO Landscapes Day two expanded participants’ understanding of NGOs. Young people researched and presented policies and steps to set up an NGO in the partner countries. The sessions carried on in the afternoon with a practical workshop on project management and leadership skills. Participants were given a real-life business scenario to roleplay and present. Day 3: Building the Blueprint Day three focused on planning and fundraising. In the morning, participants received a useful insight into the Erasmus+ programme and the European funding available for youth NGOs. In the afternoon, they delved into the drafting of their NGO business plan to bring their ideas into reality. We finished off the day with an amazing cultural night, tasting Romanian and Irish food. Day 4: Sharpening the Skills Day four was all about testing their communication skills, persuasion and leadership by participating in an engaging role-play panel workshop. Young people pitched their enterprise ideas and convinced the judges to fund their youth entrepreneurship. Day 5: Reflecting and Celebrating The final day started with a visit to one of the local NGOs. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about social enterprise first-hand, asking insightful questions about their connection with the municipality and impact on the community.  We finished off the day with a final reflection and a certificate ceremony.  What’s next? The next phase of the project includes online and in-person events in all partner countries to present the project resources. They will also be available for free to use and download. More information coming soon on our social media! Check our Facebook and Instagram to find more information on these and other events in the upcoming months and how you can take part!

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Youth Mobility in Copenhagen Yea Eu project

Youth Activism and EU Elections | Erasmus+ Mobility in Denmark | YEA – EU Project

In March, we got the chance to travel to Copenhagen as part of our “Youth Eco Activism in the EU” Erasmus+ project! Hosted by Copenhagen Youth Network, we discussed the Eu elections and youth eco-activism with young people and youth workers from Ireland, France, Denmark, Portugal, Italy and Romania! Day 1 – EEA & Copenhagen We kicked off the mobility with a warm welcome and an energising activity to get everyone in the right spirit. In the afternoon, we took part in an insightful study visit at the European Environment Agency (EEA). This offered a deep dive into the European agency work, its contribution to the EU environmental studies and agenda. They also presented the internship opportunities available at the European Union and answered our questions on how to take part. We also went on a great Copenhagen cultural tour delivered by one of the Danish young people. Day 2 – Eu elections & youth civic engagement Saturday 9th March was a very intense day!  We started with a thought-provoking roundtable discussion focused on the common obstacles faced by youth in society concerning civic and political engagement, as well as voting. Participants shared their insights and experiences, as well as suggested some strategies to increase participation and awareness among younger generations. In the afternoon, participants developed practical infographics outlining the steps to register and vote in the upcoming June European elections. We finished off by discussing the role of the EU and the impact of the elections on shaping our future. The results of our discussions and the infographics are now available on our website and project’s social media! Day 3 – Mock elections & lobbying letters On Sunday 10th March, we focused on putting into practice what we had discussed and making our voices heard! We began with a mock EU election workshop, providing participants with hands-on experience of the electoral process and the opportunity to engage in lively debates on key issues. Following this, we conducted a workshop on creating lobbying letters to communicate their concerns and advocate for change at both local and EU levels. We ended the day with fun activities for the cultural night in true Erasmus spirit. Day 4 – Europa Experience visit On Monday 11th March, we met up in front of the Europa Experience building in Copenhagen. Young people got the chance to get more familiar with the MEPs at the European Parliament and to discuss important European priorities. Day 5 – Youthpass and farewell The last day was all focussed on reflection, where young people shared their thoughts and feedback on the mobility, which will help organise the next meet-up in Portugal! Is there another mobility? Of course there’s another mobility! The next youth international activity will take place in Portugal in late November. There’s space for 5 young people so sign up here now to take part! Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to have more information regarding this and other opportunities for youth funded under the Erasmus+ programme! The Project ‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU‘ is a KA220 youth project designed to raise awareness of the climate crisis among young people and equip them with the tools to take initiative and address these issues. Specifically, the project’s goal is to guide youth in creating their own social enterprises focused on mitigating climate change and to encourage more young people to engage in climate action through youth-led activism and participation in the EU elections in June 2024. The project involves young people and youth workers from France, Ireland, Portugal, Romania and Denmark. It includes local activities and 2 youth mobilities in 2024. Partners will also create two practical guidebooks on online activism and EU elections, and a platform with information to set-up youth-NGOs. The project has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all ongoing and scheduled activities.

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Environmental Activism, EU Elections & Entrepreneurship: Erasmus+ Youth Project Kick-Off in Toulouse

We just came back from Toulouse, France for the kick-off meeting of our Erasmus+ Youth Project connecting environmental activism, the EU elections & entrepreneurship! Our French coordinator hosted us and our partners from Romania, Portugal, Denmark and Italy on the 27th and 28th January to discuss the first 12 months of our groundbreaking project “Youth Eco Activism in the EU”. The Project ‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU‘ is a KA220 youth project designed to raise awareness of the climate crisis among young people and equip them with the tools to take initiative and address these issues. Specifically, the project’s goal is to guide youth in creating their own social enterprises focused on mitigating climate change and to encourage more young people to engage in climate action through youth-led activism and participation in the EU elections in June 2024. The project involves young people and youth workers from France, Ireland, Portugal, Romania and Denmark. It includes local activities and 2 youth mobilities in 2024. Partners will also create two practical guidebooks on online activism and EU elections, and a platform with information to set-up youth-NGOs. The project has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all ongoing and scheduled activities. The Meeting – Day 1 The first day of our kick-off meeting delved into essential aspects of the project. The meeting opened with the partner introductions and the revision of the project’s objectives, timeline and target groups. This ensured a clear direction for our collective efforts in the coming months. Partners moved on discussing the core elements of the first 12 months of the project. We focused on brainstorming topics and approaches for the first module of activities and resources on Youth Online Activism. Local activities are about to start in all partner countries to create The Toolkit, a comprehensive guide to online eco-activism. This will equip our youth with the tools needed to make a meaningful impact in the digital realm. After lunch, we went in depth regarding the second module – Impacting the EU Agenda. We discussed the arrangements of the first 5-day mobility of the project. Young people will have the chance to go to Denmark, discuss the role of the EU and visit the EEA! Stay tuned on our social media to learn how to apply. We ended the meeting discussing the development of the project’s “Guidebook for youth political engagement”, strategic dissemination plans and documentation procedures. The Meeting – Day 2 The second day was dedicated to the exploration of Toulouse! We visited the main city centre and its landmarks, allowing for informal interactions and fostering a sense of connection among partners. All partners are thrilled to start involving enthusiastic young people and youth workers in our project. We truly believe this will be a transformative journey for youth and our communities! The next step will be activities in preparation for our youth project mobility on environmental activism and the EU elections. This will take place at the beginning of March in Copenhagen! So do you want to take part? Contact us and stay tuned for more information on our Facebook and Instagram page!

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‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU’ Project Approved!

We are proud to announce that the Erasmus+ project ‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU’ has been approved! About The Project ‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU’ aims to raise awareness of the climate crisis among young people and provide them with the tools to take initiative and be actively involved in addressing these issues at local, national, and European levels. The project’s goal is to guide young people in creating their own social enterprises focused on mitigating climate change and to encourage more young people to engage in climate action through youth-led activism. Project Activities The project includes 4 work packages focused on online eco-activism, creating channels for political engagement, the creation of climate-focused, youth-led NGOs and a platform to be used by youth organisations and stakeholders at a local to EU level. There are 2 TPMs, 1 virtual TPM and 2 LTTAs that will be carried out in order to support the development of the work packages and increase cross-border cooperation, with multiplier events held in each country to widen the project’s impact. Impact The project aims to enhance youth engagement in both learning and eco-activism, simultaneously expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities and offering support to youth workers in their provision. It will introduce eco-activism to youth organisations, involve young individuals in climate activism, and establish a central hub for climate actions. Tangible outcomes from YEAEU will encompass toolkits and guides for eco-activism and political participation, as well as a platform that empowers young people to establish their own youth-led NGOs. The Partners Project Duration ⏱ 24 months 📆 Start date: 01.09.2023 📆 End date: 31.08.2025 Programme Details Programme: Erasmus+ Project Reference: 2023-1-FR02-KA220-YOU-000159007 Key Action: KA220-YOU Cooperation Partnerships National Agency: FR02 – Agence Erasmus+ France Jeunesse & Sport (Agence du Service Civique)

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