Visionary Roadmaps: Crafting An Inclusive And Participatory European Democracy With Youth And Communities (Youth For Europe/YOUROPE)

European democracy is presently challenged by the rise of authoritarianism, political extremism, misinformation, and the decreasing engagement of (underrepresented) youth. YOUROPE is dedicated to reinvigorating European democracy by enhancing inclusivity and participation, particularly focusing on underrepresented youth and their communities. This will be achieved by establishing shared democratic spaces and roadmaps through an innovative 'Community-Led Research and Action (CLRA)' methodology in combination with quantitative methods. The project approach aims to promote a reciprocal environment of learning and action within educational institutions, particularly schools and universities, recognizing their significant role in advancing European citizenship and democracy. The project values and activities will work to ensure that strategies employed during the lifetime of the study are grounded in evidence, are sustainable, iterative, extensive in scale, and fundamentally participatory. Educational institutions (schools and universities) are pivotal in this effort, acting as catalysts for democratic engagement. In these settings, young individuals and their communities will collaboratively develop inclusive, participatory democratic spaces and roadmaps. YOUROPE will implement this approach in 21 school and university settings, involving 630 young individuals and 6300 community members, connecting them directly with over 30 European policymakers. The project's vision extends far beyond its immediate timeframe, intending to establish a basis for continuous research and action on future democratic scenarios for Europe.