Airport experience with DYS airline

Creative Youth Information Award category

Airport experience with DYS airline

Title of the Project

Airport experience with DYS airline

Organisation

Donegal Youth Service

WEBSITE

https://www.donegalyouthservice.ie

Project link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szMtFVCf97E

Project dates

2024-04-22

What is it about?

Original aims and objectives:

to celebrate European Youth Week and explore the theme of Democracy & European elections
to engage, connect, and empower young people across Europe
to look at opportunities on offer for young people in Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps
to explore the target group’s knowledge and interest in the EU and the EU elections
to ensure participants gain knowledge of how to register to vote and/or get registered by the end of the event
to increase the level of active and responsible participation in EU life / active citizenship.

We feel that the aims and objectives were satisfactorily achieved as a result of creating an innovative event that enabled the young people to have the opportunity to discuss the importance of the EU elections, by creating the space to go through the registration process, and by providing reliable, non-biased, pluralism-based information from verified sources.

The airport setting allowed many young people to experience the spirit of the journey for the first time in their lives. Also, EU and non-EU young people noticed a difference at the “passport checkpoint”. Our staff explained the benefits of travelling within the European Union as an EU citizen. The event was a self-led, self-directed activity. Young people were asking questions, reading the materials, taking part in simple individual flash quizzes and one longer quiz, chatting among themselves and with the YIC team. They were also scanning the QR codes, looking for more information and instructions on how to register to vote.

How is this project relevant to the specific category?

The event was organised by Donegal Youth Service in partnership with Leargas, as part of the European Commission European Youth Week. The week is to celebrate and promote youth engagement, participation and active citizenship all over Europe and beyond.
The European Youth Week (EYW) happens every two years and encourages young people to get involved in Europe’s activities and decisions.

What was the impact of the project?

Young people liked the airport format and the self-led learning opportunity. The elements of humour were seen in a positive way. We received much positive feedback regarding the event, food, content, and location. Some quieter participants became more open and willing to talk with the staff and their schoolmates. The group really enjoyed the quizzes, was interested in actively participating in the event and in discussions. The participants left the event equipped with all the basic information necessary to become active citizens and to participate in EU life. The young people took the knowledge about the voting and registration process with them and shared it with their families.

It is worth noting that the TY students who took part in the event come from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds—for some of them, it was the first time they had heard about the European Union, the opportunities available to them, and the importance of being active citizens. Participants and staff interacted effectively. There was a lot of discussion on the Eurozone, the future of Europe, travelling, and all the opportunities available to them.

All participants gained knowledge on the EU elections, EU structure, and EU youth mobility opportunities. Some of the participants have completed their registration for voting.

Improved awareness of the support that is available to young people via their local YIC. Additionally, some young people took the knowledge back home and shared it with their parents.

Did the project have any green focus?

Yes, instead of printing lots of promotional and informational materials, we decided to use QR codes during the event.

Creative Youth Information Award category