Europe is at a crossroads. Euroscepticism is rising, solidarity is being tested, and the climate emergency is being pushed to the margins. In the middle of all of this — young people, and the question of whether they have a real voice in shaping what comes next. This seminar is built around that question.
Citizens of Europe e.V. is organising Participate! — Empowering Youth in Europe — a one-week Erasmus+ seminar in Berlin bringing together 24 participants from across Europe to strengthen youth participation, tackle shared challenges, and connect with changemakers who are already doing the work.
What Is This Seminar About?
Participate! focuses on what unites Europe in a moment of pressure and fragmentation: solidarity, democracy, and the rule of law. Through a mix of interactive sessions, expert exchanges, field visits to Berlin initiatives, and hands-on project development, participants explore how to turn the challenges facing young people into real opportunities for civic engagement and meaningful participation.
This is not a passive conference. It is a working week — and participants leave with a concrete toolbox, a stronger network, and a project idea ready to pitch.
What to Expect
🔍 Identifying Challenges & Barriers
🗺️ Mapping the landscape — what obstacles do young people face when trying to engage in civic and political life across different European countries
📋 Case studies — from bureaucratic hurdles to lack of resources, how these challenges manifest in practice
🤝 Sharing Experiences & Best Practices
💬 Peer learning — participants share their own experiences, successes, failures, and lessons learned
🧰 Toolkits and methods — exploring proven formats for dialogue between youth and decision-makers: youth councils, participatory budgeting, digital platforms
🌍 Cross-border collaboration — adapting successful models from one country to another
💡 Trends, Methods & Innovations in Youth Participation
📈 Current trends — from digital activism to local community projects, what is actually working right now
🎨 Creative methods — workshop on innovative formats including gamification, art-based participation, and storytelling for advocacy
🪞 Critical reflection — what are the limits of participation? How do we ensure inclusivity and avoid tokenism?
🏙️ Field Visits — Inspiring Initiatives in Germany
🚶 Visits to local projects and organisations pioneering youth participation in Berlin — meeting the people making it happen
🚀 Developing Your Own Projects
💡 Ideation lab — from concept to action, participants develop their own initiatives during the week
🎤 Pitch training — learn how to present ideas effectively to stakeholders and funders
What You Will Gain
🌐 Expand your network — build lasting connections with like-minded people from across Europe
🧰 Fresh inspiration — leave with a toolbox of ideas, methods, and strategies to use in your own context
🔬 Deep understanding of participation — from formal structures to grassroots movements
⚡ Readiness to act — skills to advise, motivate, and mobilise young people in your community
Who Should Apply?
🔹 Youth workers, trainers, youth leaders, and youth project managers
🔹 Youth policy makers and youth coaches
🔹 Volunteering mentors and youth researchers
🔹 Anyone genuinely interested in youth work and politics
🔹 Living in an Erasmus+ programme country
🔹 Able to work in English
Costs
💶 No participation fee
🍽️ Accommodation and meals free of charge — accommodation in 3 to 4 bed rooms
✈️ Travel reimbursement up to €360 depending on country of origin and mode of transport
🎓 Youthpass Certificate provided upon completion
Training Details
📅 Activity Dates: 23 May 2026 – 30 May 2026
📍 Location: Germany
👤 Activity Type: Seminar
🏷️ Training overview: http://trainings.salto-youth.net/14757
📋 Date of selection: 11 May 2026
Deadline
⏰ 08 May 2026
Eligible Countries
🇦🇹 Austria 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇭🇷 Croatia 🇨🇾 Cyprus 🇨🇿 Czechia 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇪🇪 Estonia 🇫🇮 Finland 🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇬🇷 Greece 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇮🇹 Italy 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein 🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇲🇹 Malta 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇱 Poland 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇲🇰 North Macedonia 🇷🇴 Romania 🇷🇸 Serbia 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇸🇮 Slovenia 🇪🇸 Spain 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇹🇷 Türkiye
Contact
👤 Tobias Kunow — Citizens of Europe e.V.
📧 tobias.kunow@citizens-of-europe.eu
📞 +49 170 412 1411
💬 Curious about how Erasmus+ seminars and training activities work before applying? This complete guide to Erasmus+ covers everything you need to know: https://youthworkshub.org/15096/
Apply
🔗 http://trainings.salto-youth.net/14757
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Youth Works Hub does not represent or act on behalf of any organization listed on this platform. All project details are sourced directly from official ESC and Erasmus+ databases. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official project page or contact the hosting organization directly. Youth Works Hub is not responsible for any changes made to project details after publication.
