What do you want to achieve by implementing the project? What are the objectives of your project?

This project aims to empower youth from the Netherlands and Armenia to actively participate in Democracy and civic engagement. It addresses the need for increased involvement in democratic life among young people by providing a platform for them to understand their role, develop skills and engage with policymakers. Key objectives include supporting youth in identifying their role in Democracy, amplifying their voices through various activities, promoting dialogue and exchange of good practices, involving decision-makers, and emphasizing the importance of youth participation in shaping the future. Ultimately, the project seeks to empower participants to become ambassadors of change in their communities and contribute positively to society. The skills young people will gain in this project will contribute to active European citizenship.

What activities are planned to be implemented?
The project will engage youth in non-formal learning activities aimed at promoting Democratic participation, social engagement and critical thinking. Participants will engage in various activities, including writing articles on Democracy with expert support, participating in a mobility programs about Democracy. They will engage with policymakers, attending local events with decision-makers in the partner countries to share their experiences and promote democratic engagement. Additionally, participants will collaborate to create a social media campaign to disseminate project outcomes and promote youth participation in Democracy.
Through these activities, the project aims to empower young people to become active citizens and deepen their understanding of Democracy.

What results and impact will the project to have?
The Participate & Promote Democracy project empowers youth to actively engage in democracy, bridging the gap between policymakers and young voices. It fosters youth empowerment, promotes Democratic values, enhancing skills like critical thinking and media literacy. By sharing their experiences and advocating for change, participants will inspire broader community engagement and reach.
Hence, the project aims to cultivate a new generation of active citizens committed to shaping inclusive and responsive democratic societies.

The P.P.D. project aims to boost youth participation in Democracy by enabling them to research the topic and engage with policymakers from both countries, where contrasting political and cultural backgrounds exist. Specifically, we aim to:
1. Support youth (18–30) in the Netherlands and Armenia in identifying their role in Democracy, developing skills, and accessing tools for active participation.
2. Provide a platform for youth leadership, amplifying their voices through activities, events, and mobilities.
3. Foster dialogue, active listening, and the exchange of non-formal education practices, creating a collaborative network between youth and decision-makers.
4. Involve policymakers to help youth understand their role in Democracy and improve policies that empower participation.
5. Activities for Democratic Engagement
6. The project offers hands-on experiences to ensure young people gain practical skills, knowledge, and confidence in Democracy through:
7. Media literacy workshops to critically analyze information sources and combat fake news.
8. Structured dialogues with policymakers to voice concerns and propose solutions.
9. Youth-led civic initiatives to address democratic challenges in local communities.
10. Simulated decision-making exercises to experience democratic processes firsthand.
Through P.P.D., participants will discover their potential, redefine their voices, and become ambassadors of the change they wish to see in their societies and the world.

1. Increased knowledge, critical thinking and democratic competences among participating youth
Participants will improve their understanding of democratic processes and their role in democracy and strengthen media literacy, critical thinking, active listening, communication and decision-making skills through workshops, simulations and peer learning.

2. Increased confidence and capacity for active participation
Participants will gain practical experience in expressing their views, engaging in structured dialogue with policymakers and developing proposals. They will leave the project with greater confidence and concrete tools to participate in democratic processes at local and national level.

3. Youth-led civic initiatives and stronger youth-policy dialogue
Participants will develop and implement youth-led ideas addressing democratic challenges in their communities. Direct interaction with policymakers will create opportunities for youth perspectives to be heard and for policymakers to better understand barriers and needs related to youth participation.

4. Sustainable cross-country cooperation and transfer of learning
A stronger network will be established between youth, youth organisations and relevant decision-makers in Armenia and the Netherlands. Participants and partners will transfer the methods and learning from the project into local activities and future youth participation initiatives.