EU & Me – What now, Europe? Youth reflections and final debate

What Now, Europe? Youth Reflections and Final Debate is the concluding youth participation event of the EU & Me – Rebuilding Trust, Shaping Tomorrow project.

Organised in Hungary, the event brings together participants from previous activities to reflect on their learning journey and formulate forward-looking recommendations.

Purpose

The event serves three main purposes:

• To consolidate the learning outcomes of the two international mobilities and the previous local event

• To provide a structured platform for young people to present their reflections and civic recommendations

• To facilitate dialogue between youth and stakeholders on rebuilding trust in democratic institutions

It marks the transition from learning and discussion to advocacy and future-oriented thinking.

Participants

The event involves local participants as well as previously engaged youth from Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, either physically or online.

Participants include:

• Young people aged 16–30 who took part in earlier project phases

• Youth from rural and underrepresented backgrounds

• Invited stakeholders such as youth workers, civic leaders, and community representatives

Structure and methods

Using non-formal and participatory methods, the event includes:

• Reflection sessions on institutional trust, EU engagement, and media literacy

• Presentation of youth-created materials (videos, testimonials, campaign outputs)

• Moderated debates between young people and invited stakeholders

• Co-creation of a set of Youth Recommendations addressed to institutions

The hybrid format ensures accessibility and broader outreach, allowing cross-border participation even at the final stage of the project.

Outcomes

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

• Articulate clear, youth-driven recommendations for strengthening democratic participation

• Demonstrate increased confidence in engaging in public dialogue

• Reflect critically on their role as active European citizens

• Commit to follow-up actions at local level

The event also functions as a dissemination milestone, amplifying project results and reinforcing the project’s contribution to youth participation and democratic resilience.

What Now, Europe? is not only a closing event — it is a launchpad. It transforms reflection into action and ensures that the voices raised throughout the project continue to resonate beyond its formal end.