The project “The European Union – yesterday, today, tomorrow” aims to raise awareness of the history of the European Union and to show the benefits of EU membership, especially for young people. Thanks to the participation of organizations from countries with different experience of European integration, Italy (founding member), Poland (member since 2004), North Macedonia (candidate country), young people will learn about different perspectives of integration and approaches to the Union itself. What is equally important, our actions will not take place in large cities but in smaller locations, so we can reach people who have limited access to information.
A number of actions are planned under the project: 3 events entitled “EU Festival” in each partner country with debates; table discussions; European workshops for young people; the European Union knowledge contest and the presentation of youth works. In addition to young people, representatives of all partner countries, external experts, local authorities, lecturers and seniors will participate in the meetings.
A conference summarizing the project will be held at the end of the project. The works prepared by young people in the “I-European” competition will be the primary result of its implementation. All works will be translated into English and presented on the Internet websites. Winners of individual competitions will go abroad to specific events with partners. In addition a brochure summarizing the project will be produced at the end of the project. It will be sent to the most important people and institutions of culture, local authorities, politicians, etc.
Project timetable:
- Preparatory meeting in Poland (Starachowice) :: 16/03/2022 – 18/03/2022
- EU Festival in Poland (Starachowice) :: 07/06/2022 – 10/06/2022
- EU Festival in Italy (Treviso) :: 07/07/2022 – 10/07/2022
- EU Festival in North Macedonia (Štip) :: 19/09/2022 – 22/09/2022
- Final Conference in Poland (Starachowice) :: 23/03/2023 – 25/03/2023
Preparatory meeting in Poland
Starachowice 16/03/2022 – 18/03/2022
EU Festival in Poland
Starachowice 07/06/2022 – 10/06/2022
The event, held in Starachowice, saw the participation of numerous young Polish people plus four young Italian participants of ETV EuroTreviso and as many from North Macedonia belonging to the Youth on Board organization.
During the two days of work, various activities followed.
It started with a conference about the European Union and young people. The future of the EU in terms of youth policies was discussed, as well as the future threats and challenges facing the European Union. Numerous experts supported young people during the event and took part in the debate on the future of Europe: Joanna Jendrośka of the Polish Robert Schuman Foundation, Katarzyna Gruszko of the Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Juan Luis Ballesteros, representative of the European Commission in Poland and Michał Sęk of the Geremek Foundation and representative of Europe Direct Kielce. The young people were able to ask questions through the Mentimeter platform and then took part in a World Café on the EU seen from the point of view of 3 countries: Poland, North Macedonia and Italy. The first day of activity ended with a knowledge competition on the European Union carried out through the Kahoot platform.
On the second day, a meeting was held to talk again about the European Union and disseminate information about it. The meeting was led by Piotr Kaczyński, an expert on EU issues and representative of the Geremek Foundation. Young people had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the EU, as well as to express their opinion and perspective for the future of the European Union. In addition, young people have had the opportunity to work in international groups, reflecting together on what the European Union is doing for them and what they can do for the Union.