Changemakers for European Democracy

Voting is a fundamental right and a stepping stone of active citizenship and democratic participation.

In light of EU distrust and the decreasing involvement of youth in democratic life, seven NGOs from different countries decided to come together and make a change. Although the 2019 European Parliament (EP) elections saw a higher voter turnout than previous years, only 50.66% of eligible voters participated.

To address this, seven organizations decided to collaborate to improve youth participation in the 2024 European Parliament elections. The project "Changemakers for European Democracy" will run for 16 months, from March 2023 until June 2024. It is mainly funded by the European Parliament and co-funded by the following seven partner organizations:

• TDM 2000 International (Italy)
• TDM 2000 Eesti (Estonia)
• Global Citizen Academy (Lithuania)
• TDM Malta
• TDM Portugal (Portugal)
• Active Zone Outdoor (Cyprus)
• SIEDAS (Slovakia)

Project Objectives:

• Promote and strengthen European democracy and citizenship at a continental level.
• Foster the development of a political community made up of active citizens at the European and transnational levels.
• Encourage positive changes in European policy through the involvement of civil society actors.

To achieve these objectives, a steering committee will be formed, comprising one representative from each participating country (seven in total). This committee will manage the project, participate in online and in-person meetings, and coordinate the Changemakers.

Who are the Changemakers?

The 70 Changemakers (10 per country) will be selected through a Selection Procedure Plan. They will receive in-country training and help implement activities such as:

• Educational activities in schools to deepen students' knowledge of the EU and voting rights.
• Opinion polls, online consultations, and roundtables with EP candidates.
• European Parliament simulation sessions with students, experts, trainers, Changemakers, and policymakers.
• Simultaneous flash mobs in each country to raise awareness about the importance of voting.
• Interviews with EP candidates before the elections.
• Multiplier events before and after the elections.
• Online campaigns throughout the project.
• Press campaigns, including national and international press conferences and local press releases.
• 50 educational and promotional videos on voting rights, European values, active citizenship, and related topics.
• Peer-to-peer communication and social media engagement throughout the project.
• Other supporting activities to maximize impact.

Expected Outcomes:

• Increased awareness of the importance of voting.
• Better understanding of democratic participation mechanisms.
• A significant rise in voter turnout.
• Greater knowledge of how the EU operates.
• Training for approximately 1,000 young people, with indirect benefits reaching 2,000 additional individuals.
• Improved access and engagement within the Together.eu community.

Want to Get Involved?

Do you want to ask policymakers and MEP candidates about their programs? Do you want to make your voice heard? Do you want to be part of this exciting journey leading up to the European Parliament elections?

Follow all our activities on the project's dedicated platform:
🔗 https://youthdialogue.eu/changemakers/#

Want to help promote European democracy? Join Together.eu, an innovative online platform for civic engagement and collaboration. Connect, exchange ideas, and drive positive change in Europe!

Join the community here:
🔗 https://together.europarl.europa.eu/it_IT/referral/PAn236156677

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