Kozani Youth Fest 2024

Youth Participation and Democracy Award category

Organisation

European Initiative for Youth Empowerment, Mindfulness and Wellbeing - GO Alive

Country

Greece

WEBSITE

https://www.goalive.eu

Project link

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7OSrCSs_GP/?img_index=1

General Overview

The European Solidarity Corps Volunteering Teams Project “Kozani Youth Fest 2024” successfully engaged young people in organising the Kozani Youth Festival 2024. The event was about promoting EU values through non-formal education activities, such as interactive workshops and educational games. The initiative empowered participants to take an active role in their community, enhancing their skills and confidence while fostering European solidarity and environmental awareness.

A key focus of the project was the inclusion and cultural exchange of people from diverse backgrounds and with varied levels of experience. The event brought together 20 Greek volunteers and 20 international volunteers who were working on the organisation and activities of the Festival.

The project also addressed major contemporary challenges: digital transformation and environmental sustainability. Participants gained hands-on experience in project management, leadership, and teamwork, while learning about digital innovation and sustainable practices.

The Kozani Youth Festival 2024, which lasted for three days, promoted social inclusion by actively engaging vulnerable groups, including the elderly, minorities, and people with disabilities. Through accessible workshops, cultural events, and artistic performances, the festival fostered dialogue, respect, and community cohesion. It encouraged intergenerational exchange as well. Activities of the Festival included workshops on the topics of human rights, urban planning, the EU elections, EU values and the functioning of EU institutions, stress management and wellbeing promotion, entrepreneurship and leadership skills, etc. The international volunteers through ESC worked together as a whole group and also in smaller teams according to their interests and responsibilities (such as logistics, promotion, and the preparation of activities). In addition, volunteers had the opportunity to propose their own activities and lead them, improving their organisational skills.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

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

The project corresponds to the thematic category of Youth Participation and Democracy in several ways:

Creating a community of 20 international and 20 Greek volunteers who together worked on a project for engaging youth and promoting EU values.

Providing young people with opportunities to learn about the EU through non-formal education methods.

Building awareness about the EU, EU institutions, and EU priorities within the local community of Kozani and also within the community of 20 international volunteers.

Presenting the importance of youth engagement through workshops about human rights, entrepreneurship, and leadership delivered by young people. A session of the festival was focused on the activity of a local youth council meeting, an ongoing project in Greece. GO Alive NGO is taking part in this project (Europe at the Grassroots).

Fostering the sense of ownership: Participating youth (international and Greek volunteers) were encouraged to come up with activities about promoting EU values, social inclusion, and wellbeing – all according to their interests and experiences. They were encouraged to design and facilitate these activities during the festival.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

Kozani Youth Festival 2024 served as a platform for youth empowerment, engagement in promoting EU values, and cultural exchange. A key focus of the Festival for the local community of Kozani was breaking down barriers in information awareness about the EU, its values, and EU elections. Workshops, cultural events, and artistic performances encouraged dialogue, respect, and interaction. Intergenerational activities helped bridge the gap between youth and the older generations. The festival ensured physical and social accessibility for people with disabilities, empowering them to showcase their talents and challenge societal stereotypes.

Beyond entertainment and youth participation, the festival was a catalyst for social change, promoting solidarity and belonging. By giving international and Greek volunteers an active role, it contributed to a more inclusive and cohesive local community as well as an international community. Volunteers gained hands-on experience in event planning, teamwork, and communication, improving their confidence and civic engagement. Participating organisations expanded their networks, increasing visibility and collaboration opportunities. The festival helped to develop community bonds, encouraged partnerships, and enhanced active citizenship and community development.

Participating volunteers from the EU countries were able to meet and work together on the organisation of a youth festival. They had the opportunity to share their knowledge, experiences, and life stories, and to build friendships. The project provided them with a space for cultural exchange and language exchange. We observed a positive impact on their motivation to participate in promoting EU values through non-formal education methods.

The volunteers were divided into several teams:

Promotion Team: marketing the festival, engaging the public, and posting content on social media.

Activity Team: designing and facilitating workshops and activities during the festival.

Runners Team: logistics of the festival (materials, venue preparation, etc.).

Green Focus

(10 points max)

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

One part of the focus of our project was promoting climate change awareness and informing young people about sustainability issues. We delivered an interactive session for international volunteers about climate change, youth participation in environmental education, and eco-anxiety. Thanks to that, young people gained knowledge about these issues and hands-on experience in delivering short activities on these topics as well. In addition, we implemented eco-friendly measures, such as recycling waste, minimising our waste during the project, and encouraging green travel whenever possible.

Youth Participation and Democracy Award category