Četvrti događaj projekta “YOUth and Democracy: Empowering EUrope's Next Generation” održan je u Figueira da Fozu, Portugal, od 2. do 5. veljače 2025. Ovaj značajan skup okupio je 97 lokalnih i međunarodnih sudionika iz 18 različitih europskih zemalja, potičući međukulturni dijalog i suradnju s ciljem promicanja sudjelovanja mladih u demokraciji. Među sudionicima su bili kreatori politika, mladi lideri, stručnjaci iz civilnih organizacija i obrazovni djelatnici, ujedinjeni zajedničkom predanošću jačanju lokalne demokracije i uključivanju mladih u nadolazeće europske izbore.
Događaj je započeo u nedjelju, 2. veljače, dolaskom sudionika u zračnu luku u Portu, nakon čega su organizirani prijevozi do Figueira da Foza, obalnog grada poznatog po svojoj pomorskoj baštini. Večer je bila rezervirana za svečanu večeru dobrodošlice, koja je omogućila neformalna upoznavanja i umrežavanje, postavljajući temelje suradnje tijekom cijelog događaja.
U ponedjeljak, 3. veljače, grupa je posjetila Paiao, selo u općini Figueira da Foz, gdje je program započeo toplim pozdravima gospodina Joséa Alberta Carvalha, predsjednika Paiaoa, i gospodina Alberta Romara, gradonačelnika Santa Combe. Naglasili su važnost poticanja sudjelovanja mladih i promicanja demokratskih vrijednosti. Nakon toga, mladi iz lokalne zajednice predstavili su video koji je prikazao kulturu i baštinu Paiaoa, pruživši međunarodnim sudionicima uvid u vrijednosti zajednice.
Vrhunac jutra bila je debata na temu “Mladi i prvi put glasači: kako ih motivirati?”, u kojoj su sudjelovali ugledni govornici, uključujući gospođu Anu Oliveiru, zastupnicu u portugalskom parlamentu, i gospodina Joséa Verandu iz Nacionalnog vijeća mladih. Rasprave su se usredotočile na strategije angažiranja mladih glasača, posebno onih koji prvi put izlaze na izbore, te na ulogu javnih institucija, udruga mladih i kreatora politika u tom procesu. Sudionici su aktivno doprinosili razgovoru, dijeleći iskustva i uspješne inicijative iz svojih zemalja.
Nakon tradicionalne pauze za kavu uz živu glazbu, sudionici su obišli kulturne znamenitosti Paiaoa, uključujući samostan Seiça i Muzej soli, gdje su se upoznali s lokalnom poviješću i pomorskim korijenima grada.
U utorak, 4. veljače, program se nastavio u Figueira da Fozu. Sudionici su se susreli s gradonačelnikom Pedrom Santanom Lopesom te sudjelovali na konferenciji koju je vodila Ana Catarina Mendes, zastupnica u Europskom parlamentu. Mendes je održala snažan govor o izazovima koji očekuju mlade u mandatu Europskog parlamenta 2024.–2029., istaknuvši važnost približavanja europskih institucija mladima, osobito u perifernim regijama. Predložila je inicijative poput povećanja aktivnosti u školama i sveučilištima te promicanja transparentnosti u donošenju odluka. Nakon toga uslijedilo je zajedničko fotografiranje, simbolizirajući duh jedinstva i suradnje među sudionicima.
Kasnije su sudionici obišli lokalne tržnice i ribarnicu, upoznajući se s pomorskom kulturom Figueira da Foza, te ponovno posjetili Muzej soli kako bi stekli dublji uvid u važnost proizvodnje soli za lokalno gospodarstvo. Ručak je ponudio priliku za uživanje u tradicionalnoj portugalskoj kuhinji.
U srijedu, 5. veljače, događaj je zaključen doručkom, odjavom i oproštajima. Prije odlaska, sudionici su razmijenili dojmove i razgovarali o načinima nastavka zajedničkog rada na osnaživanju mladih u demokratskim procesima. Na oproštajnoj večeri proslavljene su nove veze, naučene lekcije i zajednička predanost uključivanju mladih u europsko upravljanje.
Zaključci događaja naglasili su ključnu važnost uključivosti i pristupačnosti demokracije mladima. Predložene strategije uključivale su korištenje kampanja na društvenim mrežama za motiviranje mladih glasača, snižavanje dobne granice za glasanje i osnivanje lokalnih vijeća mladih kako bi se mladima pružio izravan glas u donošenju odluka. Poseban naglasak stavljen je na političko obrazovanje u školama i sveučilištima, kako bi mladi razumjeli snagu svog glasa i utjecaj demokratskih procesa na njihove živote.
Sudionici su se složili da sljedeći koraci uključuju nastavak suradnje i umrežavanja, s fokusom na širenje zaključaka događaja diljem EU-a. Stečena saznanja poslužit će budućim inicijativama za poticanje izlaznosti mladih na izbore i osiguravanje njihove aktivne uloge u oblikovanju budućnosti svojih društava i Europske unije.
English:
The fourth event of the project “YOUth and Democracy: Empowering EUrope's Next Generation” took place in Figueira da Foz, Portugal, from February 2 to 5, 2025. This impactful event gathered 97 local and international participants from 18 different European countries, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration to promote youth participation in democracy. The attendees included policymakers, youth leaders, experts from civic organizations, and educators, all united by a shared commitment to strengthening local democracy and engaging young people in the upcoming European Elections.
The event kicked off on Sunday, February 2, with participants arriving at Porto Airport, followed by organized transfers to Figueira da Foz, a coastal town renowned for its maritime heritage. The evening featured a welcome dinner that provided an opportunity for informal introductions and networking among the participants, setting the tone for collaboration throughout the event.
On Monday, February 3, the group visited Paiao, a village in the Figueira da Foz municipality, where the program began with a warm welcome from Mr. José Alberto Carvalho, President of Paiao, and Mr. Alberto Romar, Mayor of Santa Comba. They emphasized the importance of fostering youth participation and promoting democratic values. Following this, a youth-led video presentation showcased the local culture and heritage of Paiao, giving international participants an insight into the community’s values.
The highlight of the morning was a debate on “Young People and First-Time Voters: How to Motivate Them?” featuring a panel of esteemed speakers including Ms. Ana Oliveira, a National Deputy from the Portuguese Assembly, and Mr. José Veranda, representing the National Youth Council. The discussions centered around strategies to engage young voters, specifically first-time voters, and the role that public institutions, youth associations, and policymakers can play in motivating them. Participants actively contributed to the conversation, reflecting on their own experiences and sharing successful initiatives from their home countries.
After a traditional coffee break with live cultural music, participants enjoyed a cultural exploration of Paiao, including visits to the Seiça Monastery and the Salt Museum, which provided an opportunity to understand the local history and maritime roots of the town.
On Tuesday, February 4, the group returned to Figueira da Foz for further sessions. They met with Mr. Pedro Santana Lopes, the mayor of Figueira da Foz, and participated in a conference led by Ana Catarina Mendes, a Member of the European Parliament. Mendes delivered a compelling address about the challenges facing youth in the 2024-2029 European Parliament legislature. She spoke about the importance of bridging the gap between young people and European institutions, particularly in more peripheral regions like Figueira da Foz. Mendes proposed initiatives aimed at making the European Parliament more accessible to youth, such as increasing outreach in schools and universities and promoting transparency in decision-making processes. This was followed by a group photo, capturing the spirit of unity and collaboration among the delegates.
Later, participants had the chance to explore the local markets, learning about Figueira da Foz’s maritime culture through a guided visit to the fish and seafood market. The cultural immersion continued with a visit to the Museum of Salt, where participants gained deeper insight into the region's salt production and its significance to the local economy. Lunch in Figueira da Foz offered another opportunity to sample traditional Portuguese cuisine.
On Wednesday, February 5, the event wrapped up with breakfast, check-out, and final goodbyes. Before departing, participants had a chance to reflect on the key takeaways from the event and discuss how to continue the momentum toward empowering youth in democracy. The farewell dinner was a moment to celebrate the connections made, the lessons learned, and the collective commitment to youth participation in European governance.
Key conclusions from the event highlighted the critical importance of making democracy more inclusive and accessible to young people. Several strategies were proposed, including the use of social media campaigns to engage young voters, lowering the voting age, and creating local Youth Councils to provide young people with a direct voice in decision-making. The event also emphasized the need for political education in schools and universities, where young people could learn about the power of their vote and the impact of democratic processes on their lives.
The participants agreed that the next steps should involve continued collaboration and networking, with a focus on disseminating the outcomes of the event across the EU. The insights gained from this gathering will contribute to future initiatives aimed at encouraging youth participation in elections, ensuring that the next generation of Europeans is actively involved in shaping the future of their societies and the European Union
PRILOG: