The Eurodesk Race fits within the Creative Youth Information category thanks to its original participatory approach to promoting European opportunities.

First of all, the project used a creative and innovative structure, inspired by a well-known TV programme with a recognisable format. This allowed information to be presented to young people in a way that felt more accessible, entertaining, and relatable, and less formal.

The initiative was deliberately designed to be fun and interesting first—for both participants and those following the Race—and, as a consequence, also informative. When it was presented, people wanted to join the “adventure” and learn about the Race first; as part of the same experience, they also received useful information from Eurodesk. During the Race, the competitive element created a narrative that encouraged people to follow the project day by day, and curiosity about the Race naturally led to interest in Eurodesk and European opportunities.

In all of this, participants were made the true protagonists of the project. By assigning them the task of creating content to promote the Race, they became the personal voice of the initiative. This not only made it feel more “authentic” and gave a peer-to-peer dimension to the initiative—as people were learning about opportunities from other young people like them—but it also offered participants the opportunity to challenge themselves, improve their communication and digital skills, and actively contribute to the dissemination of information for others.

Finally, the daily activities organised by the teams in each city allowed participants to share their personal experiences in a way of their choosing, directly with a local population of peers. This enabled creativity while also promoting and strengthening Eurodesk among the local community.