EU & Me – Voices of the future: youth speak up for Europe

Voices of the Future: Youth Speak Up for Europe is the first local youth participation event implemented in Hungary within the framework of the EU & Me – Rebuilding Trust, Shaping Tomorrow project.

Purpose

The event creates a structured and inclusive space where young people can openly reflect on their relationship with the European Union, democratic participation, and institutional trust. It builds on the insights and experiences gathered during the first international mobility in Slovakia and translates them into local civic dialogue.

The core aim is to empower young people to:

• Express their views on the future of Europe

• Engage in constructive dialogue with peers and stakeholders

• Strengthen their understanding of democratic processes

• Develop confidence in participating in public life

Participants

The event involves approximately 25 local young participants, including young people from marginalised or underrepresented backgrounds.

Participants include:

• Students and young professionals

• Youth with rural or migrant backgrounds

• Young people interested in civic issues but with limited prior access to EU-related initiatives

 

Structure and methods

The event uses non-formal education approaches to ensure active participation and meaningful dialogue. Activities include:

• Interactive civic workshops

• Small-group discussions on trust, democracy, and EU values

• Public dialogue with invited stakeholders (youth workers, civic leaders, migrant-background voices)

• Presentation of insights and visual materials developed during the Slovak mobility

The format encourages peer-to-peer learning and ensures that young people are not passive attendees but active contributors and co-creators of content.

Results

By the end of the event, participants are expected to:

• Gain deeper awareness of EU institutions and youth participation mechanisms

• Strengthen their public speaking and dialogue skills

• Develop clearer perspectives on how young people can influence democratic processes

• Contribute ideas and recommendations for rebuilding institutional trust

The event also generates tangible dissemination outputs, including participant testimonials, visual content, and key messages that feed into the wider project communication strategy.

Voices of the Future serves as a bridge between international dialogue and local action, demonstrating how European-level discussions can inspire meaningful civic engagement at the community level.