#EUandME - Handbook to promote civic participation among European youth

#EUandME

Handbook to promote civic participation among European youth

#EUandME

Handbook to promote civic participation among European youth

https://euandme.plus #EUandME - Activating Youth in Democratic and Political Life. Project 2019-1-ES02-KA205-013109 implemented by Biderbost, Boscan & Rochin, Fondation des Femmes and Human Rights Youth Organization, in the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION This project has been funded with support from the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Elaboration This publication has been prepared by Biderbost, Boscan & Rochin, Fondation des Femmes and Human Rights Youth Organization, in the framework of “#EUandME - Activating Youth in Democratic and Political Life” (2019-1-ES02-KA205013109), between 01-06-2019 and 30-11-2021.

Biderbost, Boscan & Rochin Pablo Biderbost, Guillermo Boscán, Alonso Escamilla, Teresa Martín, Nalia Rochin Fondation des Femmes Céline Dubois, Lucie Groussin, Mélanie Suhas, Julie Gorrias Human Rights Youth Organization Marco Farina, Giorgia Spina, Mariano Lo Grasso.

Published 2021 © BB&R Editions.

Table of Contents

1

2

3

Presentation

#EUandME

European Reality

4

5

6

Youth Worker's

#EUandME

Resources

Guide

Proposals

7 Partners

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1. Presentation The European Union (EU) has suffered, in recent years, a significant deterioration in its image both globally and its institutions and agencies (Pew Research Center, 2016). This has been mainly due to various problems in which the EU has been involved: economic crisis, youth unemployment, anti-Europeanism, xenophobic movements, terrorist attacks and refugee crisis (Gómez, 2017). In turn, all of the above has led to a notable lack of political participation on the part of its citizens, especially among the youngest ones (Eurobarometer, 2017, Eurobarometer, 2014). In the last two European elections, the percentage of people who voted has never exceeded 50% (43% in 2009 and 43.11% in 2014). Which is worrisome, on the one hand, for European democracy and, on the other hand, to be able to really get the voice of citizens heard and really come up with solutions to the problems facing them and the EU. Due to the above, and in the aftermath of the European elections in May 2019, the project "#EUandME: Activating Youth in Democratic and Political Life" was born. The main objectives of this project were the following: (1) generate a methodology or framework of action to effectively involve young people in the democratic and political life of their communities; and (2) promote European citizenship (awareness and sense of belonging) among young people.

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In order to achieve the above objectives, young people and young workers (of the partners themselves and other local entities) were involved from the beginning of the project. For this, we launched a virtual survey and held focus groups with both groups to identify the following aspects: (a) what determines that a young person becomes an active agent of the democratic and political life of their communities; (b) identify the needs and problems that young people are currently facing (in relation to the 8 themes of #EUandME); (c) know how to prepare proposals for improvement to the needs / problems of young people (also in relation to the 8 themes of #EUandME); and (d) know how to present the proposals to key agents of their communities.

The results of this entire process are systematized in this handbook.

So we hope that this document will be of use to you.

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2. #EUandME The #EUandME campaign was created with the aim of bringing the EU closer to the youth. In a broader sense, the common thread question is: What has the European Union done for you? That is, knowing how the EU was built, what values ​we share, who does what in the EU and how all of this is relevant to your daily life. You will also learn about the many challenges that the EU deals with today, challenges that will also shape your future. In a more particular sense, the campaign also seeks to make youth aware of all the opportunities that the EU offers them, especially in five themes: (1) Skills and business; (2) Sustainability; (3) Rights; (4) Mobility; and (5) Digital.

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Without having a direct relationship, it can be said that the #EUandME campaign has evolved to what today is the Conference on the Future of Europe. This is a unique space for European citizens to discuss the challenges and priorities of the EU. No matter where you are from or what you do, this is the place to think about what future you want for the European Union.

"The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission have committed to listen to Europeans and to follow up, within their sphere of competences, on the recommendations made".

To achieve this, an electronic platform for the conference was developed. It is your way to get involved and speak up at the Conference. Here you can share your thoughts on Europe and the changes which need to happen, see what others have to say, find events near you, organize your own event and follow the progress and the outcome of the Conference. By spring 2022, the Conference is expected to reach conclusions and provide guidance on the future of Europe".

The evolution of #EUandME to the Conference on the Future of Europe can be seen, especially, in the breadth of topics: (1) Climate change and the environment; (2) Health; (3) A stronger economy, social justice and jobs; (4) EU in the world; (5) Values ​and rights, rule of law, security; (6) Digital transformation; (7) European democracy; (8) Migration; (9) Education, culture, youth and sport; (10) Other ideas.

With both #EUandME and the Conference on the Future of Europe, we hope that this manual will serve to promote civic, political and democratic participation of young people in your community. Make their voice heard! Make your voice heard!

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3. European Reality As part of the project, a virtual survey was launched with young people and youth workers to find out their feeling of belonging to the EU and to identify their level of political participation. The sample was centered in France, Italy and Spain, being the countries of the promoters of this project. We present the most relevant results

France

Italy

66% of the French youth feel completely as EU citizen.

68,6% of the Italian youth feel completely as EU citizen.

44% of them feel that the EU has not reacted efficiently to the COVID-19 crisis.

42.9% of them feel that the EU has not reacted efficiently to the COVID-19 crisis.

Spain 50% of the Spanish youth feel completely as EU citizen.

35% of them feel that the EU has not reacted efficiently to the COVID-19 crisis.

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France

Italy

55% of the French youth do not participate at all in formal political activities.

The majority of Italian youth do not participate in formal or informal political activities.

66% voted in the last European Union elections.

85.7% did not vote in the last European elections.

Spain 60% of the Spanish youth do not participate at all in formal political activities.

50% voted in the last European Union elections.

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Youth Worker's Guide The #EUandME methodology was diveded into different stages. A previous evaluation of the sensations regarding the European Union took place, followed by three sessions to explore different aspects of the relationship of the youth with the EU, and a final evaluation to know if the programme was effective.

Preliminary Assessment A survey was undertaken to explore the preliminary feelings towards the European Union. It was also a way to measure if the programme was effective in empowering young people. Participants were asked to answer to a set of statements with 0-4 depending on how much they agreed with such statements. These inluded questions like: How much do you feel citizen of the European Union? How much did you want to vote in the last European elections?

First Session Equipment & Duration

Participants

Before the session

Duration: 3 hours Working room: open space with

10 youngsters per country of 16 to 24 y.o

removable chairs, internet and laptops Material: before evaluation, webpage of EUandME, presentation of EUandME, paper and pencils.

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Questionnaires were handed out to be completed

ZERO - Energiser/ Icebreaker Alliteration: the participants get to know each other's names 1. Group members stand in a circle.

2. A player starts the game by introducing himself/herself by making a gesture and alliterating his/her name, e.g. "I'm Wonderful Wendy".

3. The next player points to the first player, repeats the player's name, attribute and gesture, and does something similar about himself/herself. And so on.

4. The game ends with the first player repeating all of the other's gestures and name and attributes.

FIRST - Presentation EUandME The main objectives of the EUandME campaign were presented to the youngsters with the support of a presentation systematising the main objectives and a tour of the webpage. Each topic was presented with videos that the facilitator pre-selected as well as success stories for each of the topics.

SECOND - Decision-making Once the youngsters had some knowledge of the EUandME campaign, they decided on a topic which they thought to be of most importance or need for them.

1. Individual evaluation of the most important issue for her/him by rating the topics from 1 to 5 (1 being the one that worries them the most and 5 being the least).

2. Explanation for their decisions to the rest of the group.

3. Once presented, the group had to reach a consensus on what the most important issue was. A debate and voting was carried out.

4. No changes could be made once a decision had been made about a topic.

THIRD - Problems that I have Once the youngesters chose their topic of the EUandME campaign, they had to think about what problems or needs they had in relation to that specific topic.

1. Develop a brainstorming with the youngsters, where they could say what problems they face in the face of this particular fear. The facilitator (or the young people themselves) could write them down to register.

2. Once the brainstorming was over, the facilitator read the problems written to make sure that all ideas were there and that young people agreed with the brainstorming.

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3. The young people had to choose which ones were the three problems that are essential to solve now. As in the previous step, they could do this rating the problems, voting or in any other form that the facilitar and the young people agreed on.

4. Once the group chose the three problems to work, the facilitator wrote them down and told the youngsters that no changes could be made.

After the session - Feedback & Reflection To end the session, the young people had time for feedback and reflection. The facilitator asked the youngsters: What did they like about the session?

What did they learn?

How was the decision-making process?

What did they think about the EUandME campaign?

What competences did they put in practice?

What did we need to improve the following sessions?

Describe with one word their final feeling or sensation after this session of EUandME.

Second Session

Participants

Equipment & Duration Duration: 3 hours

Same participants as in the 1st session to make sure they have the same experience and see evolution

Working room: open space with movable chairs, internet, laptops and projector Material: webpage of EUandME, topic choice of EUandME, Policy Recommendation Material, paper, pencils/markers.

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Before the session Facilitator made a little reminder of what happened in the first session: What is EUandME Which are the topic they chose What are the problems that they want to solve now regarding that topic

ZERO - Energiser/ Icebreaker Two Truths & A Lie is an energiser that allowed youngsters to get to know and appreciate one another better, through discovering both common and unique interests and experiences.

1. Participants had to introduce themselves to the group by coming up with two true statements/facts about themselves and a lie.

2. A volunteer was asked to start with his/her two truths and a lie and share the three with the group.

3. Whoever guessed the correct lie, would go next.

4. Participants could expand on their truth statements, depending on how elaborate they were.

FIRST - Policy recomendations The facilitator presented the definition of policy recommendations, what they are in a practical sense and some examples of policy recommendations developed by other youngsters. to fo this, the facilitator counted with the following support documents: Presentation. This document contains the definition, the practical concept and examples.

Video. The facilitator counted with the pre-selected videos that also explained in a very clear way what were policy recommendations.

SECOND - Working in groups Once the youngsters knew what policy recommendations were, the facilitator explained to the youngsters the following activity: 1. They became policy-makers and had the mission to develop the best policy recommendation to the problems that they defined in the previous session.

2. They received a template with all the characteristics that their policy had to have and that they had to fulfil to have the best policy ever.

3. The youngsters were divided into three groups.

4. Each group was a team of policy-makers and they had to deal with one of the problems (through the template).

5. The facilitator explained the template to all the groups and told the teams that there were to be at least three political recommendations at the end of the session.

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The template that they had to fulfil contained the following questions: Country Topic Problem Describe what action(s) you would design, develop or take into account to solve the problem assigned to your team.

What resources do you need to develop your actions(s)?

What are the expected outcomes of implementing your action(s)?

Who can help you make your proposal come true (person and/or institution)?

THIRD - Presentation of the Policies Once all the policy-makers teams finished, they presented their policies to the whole group: 1. They announced each of the aspects of the policy according to the template.

2. They explained how they approached the problem and why they decided that this policy was the best.

3. Afterwards, the group made proposals to improve each policy to make it even better.

4. At the end of the presentation, the young people delivered the template to the facilitators.

FOURTH - MEP Once the policy recommendations were done, the group reunited and all together they thought to which MEP, political authority, NGO or person they would have to teach their recommendations to take them into account and could come true. In order to do this, the facilitator counted with the following support document: Presentation. This document contains the current MEP's of France, Italy and Spain, so the youngsters could already know their profile and could chose a suitable candidate.

After the session - Feedback & Reflection To end the session, the young people had time for feedback and reflection. The facilitator asked the youngsters: What did they like about the session?

What did they learn?

How was the decision-making process?

What did they think of their policy recommendations?

What competences did they put in practice?

What did we need to improve the following sessions?

Describe with one word their final feeling or sensation after this session of EUandME.

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Third Session Participants

Equipment & Duration

Same participants as in the 1st and 2nd sessions to make sure they have the same experience and see evolution

Duration: 3 hours (minimum) Working room: open space with movable chairs, internet, laptops and projector Material: Policy Recommendations by youngsters, and all the material chose by them to develop their activities

Preparation Process Structured Dialogue It is important that partners, facilitators and young people made the necessary arrangements so that in this third session a meeting with MEPs, political authorities and/or NGOs could be held. In order to do this, the partners could take into account the following tips: 1. The partners will have the list of the MEP's of their respective countries, so they can contact them and arrange the meeting.

2. If MEPs cannot, the second option would be to have a meeting with councilors of the City Council or with youth leaders of the political parties of each country.

3. Another option is to contact NGOs that may also be interested in knowing the proposals of young people. For example, if the recommendations are focused on the environment, you can try to have an encounter with GreenPeace.

Media Activity In addition to the structured dialogue, it was interesting that for this third session the young people generated their own media evidence about the meeting and be able to disseminate it on the web platform, social networks and traditional media. The partners and the facilitators must inspire their young group to develop one of the following pieces to have a media evidence of the third session: - photo reports, podcasts, video summary, opinion article

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FIRST - Presentation of the EUandME Campaign The first part established the basis for the entire meeting: 1. The youngsters presented the EUandME campaign to the guest/s. They could use the material that the facilitators used in the first session or they could develop their own presentation.

2. After that, they presented the topic that they choose to develop their policy recommendations.

3. This above allowed the guest/s to become familiar with the framework that motivated the meeting and be more receptive to the following parts.

4. On the other hand, this presentation allowed young people to take the protagonist role, speak in public, gain confidence and express themselves freely.

SECOND - Presentation of the Policy Recommendations After addressing the EUandME campaign, the youngsters presented their Policy Recommendations to their guest/s.

1. At the beginning, they explained the problems that they were facing or wanted to solve right now according to the chosen theme.

2. Then, they presented their policy recommendations according to the characteristics of the template.

3. Finally, they explained why they recommendations must be take into account by the guest/s.

THIRD - Structured Dialogue & Feedback of the Guests After presenting the policy recommendations, the youngsters gave the word to the guest/s. Some questions that the youngsters could ask the guest/s were: What do you think about our proposals?

What are the probabilities that of our proposals are going to be considered?

What do you think of giving voice to young people on these issues?

Why do you think these meetings do not happen more frequently?

Finally, the youngsters will close the session thanking the guest/s for their time and telling them, one more time, for their commitment to take into account policies presented.

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After the Session - Feedback & Reflection To end the session, the young people will have a feedback and reflexion time. The facilitator will ask to the youngsters: What they like about the meeting?

What did they learn?

How was dialogue with the guest/s?

Do you think that they will take into account your policies?

What competences do they put in practice?

What do you like the most form this experience?

Describe with one word your final feeling or sensation after being part of this EUandME project.

After Evaluation Just after finishing the feedback and reflexion time, the facilitator gave a questionnaire to each youngsters so they could fulfil it with their final impressions, ideas and opinions regarding the European Union. The survey was anonymous and mandatory. The questionnaire was essential to know the impact of the project in the youngsters.

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Surveys for Before & After the sessions FIRST CONTACT This survey will allow us to explore your initial sensations regarding the European Union. The final aim of this document is to really know if this programme is effective on empowering youngsters. Answer this following statements, '0' being 'little or completely disagree' and '4' being 'a lot or completely agree'. Please, answer honestly. There are no correct or incorrect answers.

STATEMENTS How much do you know about the EUandME Campaign?

0

1

2

3

4

How much do you feel citizen of the European Union?

0

1

2

3

4

Do you think it is important to have face-to-face meetings with MEPs or local authorities?

0

1

2

3

4

How much do you think you can influence decision-makers or politicians?

0

1

2

3

4

How much did you want to vote in the last European elections?

0

1

2

3

4

How much do you usually participate in formal political activities of your locality or country? For example: go to vote, join a political party or join a labour union.

0

1

2

3

4

How much do you usually participate in informal political activities of your locality or country? For example: attend manifestations, sign petitions, wear reivindicative shirts or boycott brands.

0

1

2

3

4

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FINAL CONTACT This survey will allow us to explore your final sensations regarding the European Union. The final aim of this document is to really know if this programme is effective on empowering youngsters. Answer this following statements, '0' being 'little or completely disagree' and '4' being 'a lot or completely agree'. Please, answer honestly. There are no correct or incorrect answers.

STATEMENTS How much do you know about the EUandME Campaign?

0

1

2

3

4

How much do you feel citizen of the European Union?

0

1

2

3

4

Do you think it is important to have face-to-face meetings with MEPs or local authorities?

0

1

2

3

4

How much do you think you can influence decision-makers or politicians?

0

1

2

3

4

How much did you want to vote in the last European elections?

0

1

2

3

4

How much do you usually participate in formal political activities of your locality or country? For example: go to vote, join a political party or join a labour union.

0

1

2

3

4

How much do you usually participate in informal political activities of your locality or country? For example: attend manifestations, sign petitions, wear reivindicative shirts or boycott brands.

0

1

2

3

4

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5. #EUandME Proposals The partner organisations of the project put the #EUandME methodology into practice. That is, they created groups with young people from their respective localities and held the three planned session (as explained in the Youth Worker's Guide).

In this handbook we wanted to publish the political recommendations that the youth groups from Palermo (Italy), Paris (France) and Salamanca (Spain) drew up on the issues that, from their perspective, need to be addressed both in their localities and in the EU. The purpose of these recommendations is threefold. First, that these proposals inspire other young people to make their requirements known and express what they would do to solve the problems they encounter. Second, give a touch of attention to their respective locations so that they are aware of this feeling or of those problems.

Third, that these recommendations reach the people who make the final decisions and that they serve as inputs for European policies of the present and of the future.

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France Free of charge for the vulnerable public and minors under 18 years old and eventually the aim is to be free for all persons who have periods.

Tax credit (or deduction) to reimburse the purchase of sanitary protection for all women who have periods.

Better access to menstrual hygiene products (fight against period poverty)

Implementation of a European prevention campaign for young people on menstruation.

The presence of menstrual product dispensers in toilets in public places. And Creation of a free, healthy emergency kit available in all pharmacies.

Laws on mandatory transparency about the composition of menstrual products, monitoring of publications with respect to users and corresponding sanctions in case of non-compliance.

Sending a prevention kit to all menstruating people from the age of 11, in connection with a "sexuality" workshop in the school which will take place during the beginning of secondary school.

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France Resources & possible outcomes RESOURCES New legislative obligations Composition: prohibition of toxic products, mandatory to inform about product composition on packaging.

Regular inspections by health officials.

Penalties and marketing bans.

Prevention Major national and European action, European prevention campaign.

Sex education programme in schools that includes teaching about menstruation.

Cooperation of national health agencies to create prevention kits.

Financing Participation of the pharmaceutical federations/lobby and product manufacturers in financing the prevention campaign, youth kits, prevention kits etc.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES End of period poverty Reducing economic gender inequalities Improving/optimising the health of women Better knowledge of European citizens on the subject of menstruation Enable women to make an informed choice about their sanitary protection.

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Italy Simplified procedures for entry, residency and enrolment at higher education institutions for students with temporary residence permits

Improve academic accessibility to migrants with temporary residence permits

Distribute bonuses to cover the expenses of products like sanitary pads and birth control methods

Women's access to sexual and reproductive health services

Label these kind of products as first necessity goods to reduce the VAT Distribute such products in schools and educate & inform about them

Extend residence permits for job search throughout the EU

Institutional mechanisms to facilitate the employment seeking process for migtants

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Spain Collection of names on behalf of NGOs.

Access of undocumented sectors of the population to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Making notification accessible: notifying the date of the vaccination using resources accessible to these populations.

Ensure equal conditions to the rest of the population (priority).

Restructuration of health centres to make them more efficient and that there is always a doctor in rural places.

Access to public health in small localities.

Solving problems regarding transportation, appointments, specialised doctors.

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6. Resources Below are other best practices linked to the #EUandME campaign to further explore what the EU is, what opportunities it offers and how to promote civic, political and democratic participation among the new generations of Europeans.

01

02

Teacher’s Guide

Activity Book

Enable students, aged 17 to 18, to discover and engage with the opportunities and initiatives that the EU has to offer

This publication contains various practical exercises to discover the EU and talk about it with your friends and family.

03 Digital Explorers This series of animated videos offers a fieldtrip across how digitalisation is coming along and how to shape Europe’s digital future.

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7. Partners BB&R is an international consulting, research and training firm in the areas of Election, Government and Public Policy, Research, Development and Innovation, Public-Private Relationships and Social Responsibility. The company has a reputable global experience founded in the execution of important projects for different organizations and governments. The diversity of the arenas where BB&R acts is an example of its capability of adaptation, dynamism and solidity.

Our mission is to facilitate, through various means, the fulfilment of Human Rights and establish an international network of organisations and individuals who are actively contributing to their local context. We seek to actively work towards a culture of peace by promoting and taking part in non-violent action towards the liberation from oppression in any form. While taking action we promote, encourage and celebrate the value of diversity of people in society.

The Fondation des Femmes, housed by the Fondation de France, is the reference structure in France for women's freedom and rights and against the violence to which they are victims. After 5 years of existence, it continues to develop and strengthen its actions, providing financial, material and legal support to associations working for women's rights.

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Biderbost, Boscan & Rochin Gran Vía, 59-61, Piso 1, Oficina 2 37001 Salamanca, Spain +34 923 054 933 bbyr@bbyr.com https://bbyr.com Fondation des Femmes 9 Rue de Vaugirard 75006 Paris, France bonjour@fondationdesfemmes.org https://fondationdesfemmes.org

Human Rights Youth Organization Piazzetta di Resuttano, 4 90133 Palermo, Italy info@hryo.org https://www.hryo.org

EUROPEAN COMMISSION This project has been funded with support from the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.