On Friday, 27 February 2026, together with partner organisations we officially launched the international project EUINSPIRE – Engaging Young People and Citizens in Shaping Policies for a Reformed Europe, which will run until February 2028. At the start of the project, partners held a virtual kick-off meeting where they reviewed the project’s key objectives, presented the planned activities, and coordinated the framework for cooperation among partners.
The EUINSPIRE project brings together partners from four countries: the University of Ljubljana (Faculty of Social Sciences) as the project coordinator, the University of Sarajevo, the University of Rijeka, the University of Belgrade (Faculty of Political Sciences), and the Institute for Political Management (IPM). The project will run for 24 months.
What is the EUINSPIRE project?
The EUINSPIRE project addresses the growing challenge of democratic disengagement and declining political participation among young people, particularly in the Western Balkans and the European Union. Its objective is to strengthen youth engagement in EU policy discussions and empower young people to become active contributors to democratic processes rather than passive observers.
The project is based on approaches such as policy co-creation, experiential learning, and the use of innovative digital tools that enable young people to actively participate in discussions on the future of Europe. A central component of the project is the development of the EUINSPIRE online multiverse, an interactive participatory platform designed to support the co-creation of EU policy recommendations and foster inclusive dialogue between citizens and policymakers. The project also places particular emphasis on strengthening democratic values, civic participation, and collaboration between young people, educational institutions, and policymakers.
Who is the project intended for?
The EUINSPIRE project engages several groups of stakeholders, with a particular focus on young people:
Secondary school students (15–19 years)
Young participants who will gain knowledge about democracy, EU institutions, and active citizenship through workshops, Model EU simulations, and other participatory activities designed to familiarise them with EU decision-making processes.
University students (19–28 years)
Students will participate in facilitating activities, contribute to the organisation of Model EU sessions, and actively co-create ideas and recommendations related to future European policies.
Educators and youth workers
Teachers, professors, and youth workers will participate in training programmes that will equip them with pedagogical tools and methodologies for teaching about the European Union, democratic participation, and civic engagement.
The general public and policymakers
The project will foster dialogue between young people, policymakers, and the broader public on the future of the European Union and on opportunities for meaningful youth participation in democratic processes.
What can we expect over the next two years?
Within the EUINSPIRE project, a number of activities aimed at strengthening youth participation and understanding of European policymaking will be implemented, including:
• the development of the EUINSPIRE online multiverse, an interactive participatory platform enabling users to explore EU priorities and co-create policy recommendations,
• Model EU simulation sessions, where secondary school and university students will take on the roles of policymakers and engage in simulated EU decision-making processes,
• national and regional student conferences dedicated to discussions on EU policies and the future of European integration,
• an international summer school on EU governance, policies, and democratic participation,
• the preparation of educational materials and a training curriculum for teaching professionals,
• the EUINSPIRE Policy Engagement Fair, presenting key EU policy areas and youth participation opportunities through interactive activities,
• the BALKANcast podcast series addressing topics related to EU integration and democratic participation in the Western Balkans,
• a PhotoVoice exhibition presenting young people’s perspectives on European society through photography.
Through these activities, the EUINSPIRE project will create opportunities for young people to actively contribute to debates, ideas, and recommendations related to the future development of the European Union.
The EUINSPIRE project (101252803 – EUINSPIRE – CERV-2025-CITIZENS-CIV) is co-funded by the European Union under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. The views and opinions expressed within the project are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Commission.
