101146514 — VOC — CERV-2023-CITIZENS-CIV

Young people’s participation in decision-making, especially in the political and civic sphere, is crucial to foster active citizenship, improve social inclusion and strengthen democracy. Recent years have seen a shift away from traditional forms of participation, such as voting or joining political parties. Instead, young people are looking for innovative alternatives to express their voice and participate in social change. This trend has led to the development of a number of initiatives to facilitate their involvement in democratic processes in a more effective and inclusive way .

The ‘Consulting EUth’ project, funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), started on 1 January 2022 and will end on 31 December 2023. Its main objective is the creation of the European Consultative Body for Migration (ECBM), a European consultative body that aims to involve young migrants and refugees in active political life. This project aims to co-design, together with public authorities, policies that aim to improve the conditions for migrants and refugees, and that promote their integration and active participation in society.

One of the highlights of the project is the inclusion of young migrants in policy development. The direct participation of beneficiaries in the policy-making process ensures that their needs and views are taken into account, making decisions more representative and effective. Following the excellent results obtained, the project consortium has decided to broaden the scope of the project, involving more partners and young people from other EU countries, in order to further explore existing solidarity mechanisms and respond to social challenges in a more inclusive way.

In this line of work, the “Voices of Change (VOC) ’ project aims to empower young migrant women and encourage their participation in policy-making for women within the European Consultative Body for Migration. The project focuses on the creation of a European Consultative Body for Civic Engagement of Migrant Girls and Young Women to promote the democratic participation of young migrant women. Through this body, it aims to stimulate debate, organise reflections and establish a practical link to policy-making processes at local, regional and European level.

VOC also aims to foster cooperation between migrant girls and European girls by promoting the joint development of recommendations that contribute to the improvement of national and European policy frameworks regarding the inclusion of young women with a migrant background. A collective writing process will be carried out, from a bottom-up perspective, to develop policy recommendations addressed to local authorities and EU decision-makers. These recommendations will focus on the importance of considering intersectionality and promoting an inclusive approach that takes into account the diverse realities of young migrant women.

The project also addresses one of the key priorities of the call: engaging citizens and communities in discussions and actions related to solidarity. The participation of young people aged 19-30, both migrants and locals, is a key pillar of the project. Each project partner organisation will involve four young people (two migrants and two locals), who will join the work teams through an internship programme. In total, 84 young people from more than 15 countries are expected to be involved. The experience of these internships will allow the young women to acquire new skills and knowledge, favouring their professional and personal development, and contributing to a better intercultural understanding.

The collaboration between young migrants and locals has a significant value, as it allows enriching the project with diverse perspectives and promoting respect and understanding between different cultures. In addition, the formal linkage with partner organisations will ensure the involvement of young women in all phases of the project, from planning to implementation, ensuring that their contributions have a lasting impact on the project outcomes.

In summary, the Consulting EUth and Voices of Change projects aim to strengthen the democratic participation of young people, foster inclusion and promote solidarity and diversity in Europe. Through the creation of consultative bodies and direct collaboration between young people from different backgrounds, these projects aim to ensure that the voices of young migrants are heard and integrated into decision-making processes, thus contributing to building more inclusive and equitable societies.