The second event of the "EU4YOUth" Network of Towns project, organized under the CERV Programme, was hosted in Pavlikeni, Bulgaria, from September 9 to 12, 2024. This initiative, led by the Municipality of Santa Comba, Spain, and supported by 19 partners from 18 EU countries, aimed to empower European youth and enhance citizen participation in democratic processes, particularly in light of the 2024 European Elections. Over 85 participants from across Europe, along with local citizens, policymakers, and experts, gathered to discuss pressing issues and share ideas for fostering democratic engagement and inclusion.
The event’s key objectives included raising awareness of the significance of democratic participation, particularly among young people, promoting collaboration among European towns, and addressing challenges such as voter apathy and digital inclusion. These discussions took place in a setting designed to inspire intercultural dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions for engaging citizens in the EU’s democratic processes.
A series of conferences and debates marked the event’s intellectual core. Prominent speakers included Ivailo Zdravko, Regional President, who emphasized empowering young people to engage in local initiatives, and Daniel Panov, Mayor, who highlighted the critical role of education in fostering informed and active citizenship. Patricia Val, Vice Mayor of Santa Comba, delivered an address on digital technologies' role in increasing youth participation in politics. Together, these sessions explored themes such as the outcomes of the 2024 European Elections and strategies to strengthen youth involvement in shaping Europe’s future.
Workshops provided an interactive space for participants to explore participatory democracy, youth-led initiatives, and policy inclusivity. Highlights included a masterclass by Olga Stoyanova, a political science expert, who discussed fostering equality and inclusion, and an engaging session by Francisco Javier Ulloa, who presented best practices in participatory budgeting. These workshops were widely praised for their practical insights and opportunities for dialogue.
Participants also immersed themselves in Bulgarian culture through guided tours of historical landmarks, such as the Fortress of Tsarevets and the Thracian Pottery Complex, as well as traditional Bulgarian music and dance performances. These cultural experiences enriched the event by fostering a deeper appreciation of the region’s heritage and traditions, further enhancing intercultural understanding.
Suggestions included offering more free time for participants to explore local attractions independently and incorporating additional informal networking opportunities.
The event's impact was amplified through press releases and local media coverage, social media updates and posts showcasing event highlights, materials collected during the event will be used to create an e-book, documenting insights and best practices for wider dissemination.
The next meeting, planned in Rabat, Malta, will build on the same achievements, continuing the project’s mission to inspire and connect citizens across Europe.
Past Events
The first meeting of the project entitled “Youth and democracy: Empowering EU next generations” was celebrated in Santa Comba (Galicia, Spain) from the 1st to the 4th of February.
The project, funded by the European Commission through the CERV program, gathered more than 90 direct participants including young people from Santa Comba who actively introduced Galicia and their local town to the 38 international participants.
During the program of activities, the different participants had time to introduce their localities, speak about European issues such as the upcoming European elections, getting to know European services like Europe Direct. There was time to hold meetings with local politicians and visit democratic institutions such as the Provincial government of A Coruña.
The promoter is the Municipality of Santa Comba (Spain) who organized a symbolic town twinning between the 19 partners and 18 participant countries. Representatives from each entity signed a brotherhood oath to respect and promote European values such as democracy, tolerance or peace.
Next September, a new event will be held in Sofia (Bulgaria) and will focus on the analysis of the results of the European elections. Furthermore, there will be time to reflect about the challenges that the new European government must address to improve the quality of life of its citizens at local level.
These projects are a very important opportunity to promote European citizenship at local level, involving and engaging citizens from different areas, especially young people.