JUST EU and ME

An initiative that aims to provide youth with skills and opportunities to further engage with EU and Member States policies.

GA number: 101081227

Funded by: CERV      Duration: 01/11/2022-31/10/2024

Challenge

Young people’s lack of trust and exclusion from mainstream democratic structures and institutions of decision-making, the re-emergence of populism and nationalism and the shrinking democratic space hamper their ability to have a real say in policies that affect them.

The existing disengagement from institutionalised forms of participation is well reflected in the results of the European Parliament Youth Survey 2021: 55% of respondents say they do not understand much or anything about the EU; and 53% respondents feel they do not have much, or any, say over important decisions, laws and policies affecting their local area, while 70% for matters affecting the EU as a whole.

However, it is noted that the participation of young people in many forms of civic and political engagement including civil society organisations (CSOs) and social movements or youth-led global climate movements may bring them closer to EU-related issues.

Innovation

The project aims to equip young people (aged 18-30) and youth association representatives with the tools and opportunities to actively contribute to improving EU and Member States policies, focusing on issues like the European Pillar of Social Rights, access to education, gender equality, and equal opportunities.

Action

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Project Partners