Ready, Set, Go! Submit Your Project to Foster Participation by 1 October

The clock is ticking! The next project application deadline for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps volunteering and solidarity projects is fast approaching on 1st October. Grab this opportunity to create a participation project that amplifies people’s voices and gives them a more significant role in decision-making.

Participation in democratic life – a high priority

Projects focused on participation and conducted in a participatory way are a cornerstone of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Programmes, particularly under the priority of “Participation in democratic life, common values, and civic engagement.”

The Erasmus+ Programme aims to enhance citizens’ involvement in democracy and understanding of the EU, starting from early education. It supports both formal and non-formal learning to foster active citizenship, critical thinking, and media literacy. The programme prioritises projects that promote democratic participation and raise awareness of EU values, unity, and cultural heritage. (Source: Erasmus+ Programme Guide)

Start a project – a chance to enhance participation?

As participation is a horizontal priority in the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes (as mentioned above), this is a great opportunity to enhance active involvement in democratic life and uphold the right of people to make decisions collaboratively.

In both Education & Training and Youth fields, such projects enable individuals to engage in civic activities, develop social and digital skills, and connect with decision-makers. Essentially, the goal is to empower participants to influence decisions that impact their lives and communities, deepen their understanding of participation, and foster a sense of European identity and awareness of EU values.
“Any project, organisation, and beyond can benefit from following people’s right to participate in decision-making that affects them and their communities. Listening to the needs of different people, making decisions together, and implementing those in a project can also be exciting and open up new doors,” encourages Brigita Medne, Coordinator at SALTO Participation and Information Resource Centre (SALTO PI) to apply.

“Whether it’s about the topic or the process—be it voting, protesting, boycotting, collaborating with people with fewer opportunities, meeting local decision-makers, learning more about a specific aspect of democracy, or anything else—seize the opportunity to apply for funding and elevate your participatory project. While it is certainly a challenge, it is also a rewarding one, so feel free to use the resources, tools, and support available,” Brigita adds.

Brigita encourages the new applicants to explore the opportunities and suggests checking out some of the vast resources to reflect on participation and to contact the National Agency of Erasmus+ / European Solidarity Corps for more advice and guidance. You can find the National Agency or a contact point for your country from here.

How to start?

How to create a great project? The Estonian National Agency of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps in cooperation with SALTO PI have published short video tutorials which take you through the process of idea gathering, planning and leading a quality project.

Have a look at the video series here!

Resources to improve the understanding

• Participation in Democratic Life
  This comprehensive pool of resources is filled with knowledge and materials that can deepen your understanding of meaningful participation. The “Participation in Democratic Life” section is especially useful for building awareness about the importance of participation in democratic processes. Meaningful participation goes beyond merely “taking part” in an activity or process. It entails the right to have a say in decisions that affect people, their communities and countries, and beyond.The ‘Pool’ is currently being revamped as new Education & Training resources are developed, but many of the existing resources, initially created with young people in mind, are applicable to diverse target groups.

• Amplifying Young Voices: Understanding Socially Mediated Political Participation of Young People
  This insightful resource delves into young people’s political views and activism, both online and offline, helping you grasp the factors driving their engagement.
• Article “Staking a claim for inclusive societies: the importance of stakeholders for fostering youth participation”
  This article discusses the obstacles to youth participation and how to overcome them by engaging the right stakeholders, offering valuable perspectives for those focused on inclusivity. Good read for anyone, no matter if your target group is young people or not.

Resources to support putting ideas into practice

• Youth Participation Toolkit
  
  This practical resource, containing 12 modules, accompanies the Youth Participation Strategy and is designed to help you foster participation in your projects through the EU youth programmes. Although it focuses on young people, it is also highly useful for anyone looking to start a participation project or make their work more participatory.“In the toolkit, you will find ideas and tips on what it actually means to write a project with participation in mind. For example, how to identify the needs of people in different ways—through surveys, discussions, online and in-person tools, or researching what is important to those around them—and include that in the project,” explains Brigita, highlighting the benefits of the Youth Participation Toolkit.The toolkit is highly practical, offering suggestions, checklists, guiding questions, and advice. By using it as a resource, you can enhance inclusiveness and participation in your projects overall, and improve the quality of projects focused on participation in democratic life.
• The Flagship Projects Collection – inspiration from great projects
  This collection showcases successful, participation-focused projects, providing inspiration and concrete examples for those planning their participation initiatives. You can search for project inspiration based on topics, priorities, countries involved, or funding sources. The project leaders share their learning moments, practical recommendations, and tips to help you avoid common stumbling blocks and smooth your project journey.
• Make participation great again with Citizen OS!
  A secure, free, and open-source platform that facilitates balanced discussions and democratic decision-making. This tool is particularly useful for connecting with partners or gathering people’s ideas across different locations. Use it for your project planning or for implementation to enhance digital participation and run hybrid activities!
• Guidelines on How to Tackle Elections & Participation
  A practical guide offering ideas on how to engage people in discussions about democratic life, including elections. It also includes an editable Participation in Democratic Life and Elections poster, which you can adapt for your specific needs.