Euro-Participation Euroclasses

Youth Participation and Democracy Award category

Euro-Participation Euroclasses

Organisation

Europe Direct Brno at Jiri Mahen Library

Country

Czech Republic

WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/europedirectbrno/

Project link

https://www.europedirect.cz/aktuality/detail/10928

General Overview

Our project engaged young people in democratic participation by enhancing their understanding of the European Parliament and the European elections. We targeted students in their final year of secondary education (aged 18+), who are first-time voters in the 2024 European elections. Workshops took place at their schools and at our Jiri Mahen Library premises. Participants from three Brno high schools gained knowledge about European democratic processes and fostered critical thinking about political representation and decision-making.

The main objectives were to increase awareness of the European Parliament’s role in the EU, encourage students to assess information critically, particularly disinformation, and foster active participation by simulating the creation of political parties and their election campaigns.

Activities included Disinformation Bingo, where students identified and analysed EU-related misinformation; Political Party Simulation, where students worked in groups to create political parties, defining their name, audience, programme, and campaign strategy; Presentations & Discussion, where groups presented their parties followed by an open discussion; and an Educational Presentation on how the European Parliament functions, the importance of elections, political groups, and participation.

Methods used included interactive discussions to enhance critical thinking, group work and role-playing for engagement and teamwork, practical application of knowledge through simulations, and visual and verbal presentations for comprehensive understanding.

Eurodesk visibility was ensured by introducing Eurodesk as a key resource for European opportunities, displaying Eurodesk branding in materials such as roll-up banners (Erasmus+ and DiscoverEU), Eurodesk leaflets, the Eurodesk logo in presentations, and in posters that were sent by e-mail to schools, and encouraging students to explore Eurodesk channels for further youth engagement in European youth initiatives, especially the Eurodesk Opportunity Finder.

By combining education with interactive activities, our project empowered young people to think critically about democracy and their role in shaping Europe’s future.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

The project aligns with the Youth Participation & Democracy category by actively engaging young people in democratic processes and encouraging critical thinking about political representation. The project employed an interactive, game-based approach to engage students in European democratic processes. Disinformation Bingo challenged students to critically assess EU-related misinformation, promoting media literacy. The Political Party Simulation allowed participants to create their own parties, define their audience and priorities, and campaign for votes, making political engagement hands-on and relatable. By utilising engaging methods, we ensured that complex political concepts were accessible and enjoyable. The project targeted a diverse range of students, including those who had never engaged with EU programmes such as Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps. By working with three high schools in Brno (High School Gemini, Secondary Technical School and Higher Professional School, Secondary School of Nursing), we reached students from varied socio-economic backgrounds, ensuring broader representation. Workshops were held at schools and the Jiří Mahen Library, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for all students, regardless of their prior knowledge of European opportunities or disabilities. The workshops were fully wheelchair accessible to accommodate everyone.

The project actively encouraged youth participation in democratic processes, particularly the 2024 European elections. By providing essential knowledge about the European Parliament, we empowered first-time voters to make informed decisions. The hands-on approach of the Political Party Simulation allowed students to step into the roles of political leaders, fostering deeper engagement with democratic processes. Discussions and role-playing encouraged debate and critical thinking, ensuring students not only learned about democracy but actively experienced it. Eurodesk visibility was reinforced through presentations, branding on materials, and the direct promotion of Eurodesk resources, helping students discover further European opportunities. Through a combination of education, interactivity, and hands-on learning, our project effectively empowered young people to become engaged citizens and future decision-makers.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

The project had a significant impact on young people by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become active citizens and informed voters in the 2024 European elections. By engaging final-year high school students, we directly influenced first-time voters, ensuring they understood the European Parliament’s role, electoral processes, and the importance of participation in democratic decision-making. Through interactive and engaging methods, such as Disinformation Bingo, Political Party Simulation, and quizzes, students developed critical thinking skills to assess information about the EU, particularly in the context of disinformation. By creating their own political parties, defining policies, and presenting election campaigns, they gained hands-on experience in political processes, reinforcing their understanding of democratic systems and the significance of informed voting. The project also broadened young people’s perspectives on European opportunities by introducing them to Eurodesk. By integrating Eurodesk resources into workshops, branding materials, and presentations, we encouraged participants to explore further mobility opportunities, such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. The majority of the students had never encountered these programmes before, making our initiative a crucial step in raising awareness of EU-funded opportunities that foster active European citizenship. The impact extended beyond the workshops as students shared their knowledge and encouraged peers to take part in elections. Their participation in debates and group activities also strengthened essential skills such as teamwork, public speaking, and argumentation—key competencies for active civic engagement. We received great feedback from the teachers, who remained interested in EU topics even after the European elections and requested more of our workshops on EU-related topics. By combining education with interactive, practical experiences, our project effectively empowered young people to critically assess political information, understand their role in shaping European democracy, and explore opportunities for further civic involvement at both national and European levels.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

The project integrated eco-friendly measures in accordance with Eurodesk’s green standards, drawing inspiration from the Greening Youth Information Services publication. We minimised paper waste by utilising digital materials and presentations. We sent event invites via email instead of printing them out. Workshops were held in accessible locations, reducing the need for long-distance travel and promoting sustainable transport options such as public transport and walking. Additionally, we encouraged students to reflect on sustainability within their political party simulations, integrating green policies into their proposed programmes. Eurodesk’s online resources, such as the Eurodesk Opportunity Finder, were highlighted as an environmentally friendly way to explore European opportunities. By prioritising sustainability in both logistics and content, we ensured that the project not only educated participants on democracy but also instilled awareness of environmentally responsible practices.

Youth Participation and Democracy Award category