On March 13th, 2025, an online workshop was organized as part of the Youth4Values project, bringing together young participants to learn more about democratic values, the development of the European Union, and opportunities through the Erasmus+ program.
The workshop was led by Aldin Jahić, who previously took part in a Youth4Values training course held in Athens. Drawing on his experience, Aldin shared insights from the training, emphasizing the importance of democracy, active citizenship, and European values in today’s society. During the session, participants had the opportunity to discuss key concepts related to democracy and explore the history and development of the European Union. Aldin also introduced the Erasmus+ program, highlighting how such initiatives contribute to youth empowerment and foster intercultural dialogue across Europe.
Through an engaging and informative session, the workshop aimed to inspire participants to become more active in their communities and to recognize the importance of democratic principles in shaping a better future.
This activity continues to strengthen the impact of the Youth4Values project by spreading knowledge, encouraging critical thinking, and motivating young people to take initiative.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
Project will support active citizenship and political participation of youth in partner countries, coming from 3 different European regions. As well as, the project will foster the development of social and intercultural competencies, critical thinking, and soft and transversal skills. The focus will be on raising awareness of and understanding the European Union context, European identity, and the importance of active participation in decision-making processes at the local level, especially among youngsters.
To strengthen the connection between democracy and active citizenship and active participation in the decision-making process at the local level, and recognizing that each is mutually dependent on the other, is the most important result of this project. We will achieve it through the enhancement of democratic governance and the rule of law by fostering a culture of active citizenship, promoting civic education, and empowering individuals with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. We hope this project will help improve the quality and accessibility of NFE in partner countries by collaborating with youth organizations, educational institutions, and decision-making bodies, and help bridge the gap in the existing system.
Research indicates that participation in different forms may be on the increase, for example, pressure groups, civic initiatives, consultative organs, and so on. These forms of participation are just as important to the effective functioning of democracy as voter turnout at elections, if not more so. In Europe as well, even in the more traditional democracies, “people power” appears to have found a new lease of life: students have protested in many countries against moves by governments to impose fees on education. Trade unions have brought people onto the streets to protest about the impact of economic cuts.