EKO is happy to announce that one more amazing training course has been completed successfully. The project “Empower to Activate Youth Participation” united participants from Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Romania, Lithuania, Spain . It was organised by the Portuguese organisation “Associação Sementes Esperança ”, and took place in Alqueva, Portel, Portugal, from 27 May to 03 June 2026.
Aims & Objectives of the project
The project aimed to strengthen the capacity of youth workers to promote and support the social, civic, and democratic participation of young people through innovative non-formal education approaches and international cooperation. The training course sought to empower youth workers with practical tools, methodologies, and competences that can enhance young people’s active engagement in their communities and democratic processes.
Specifically, the project sought to:
– Develop youth workers’ knowledge and understanding of democratic participation, active citizenship, and youth engagement at local, national, and European levels.
– Explore innovative, alternative, and non-formal approaches to promoting youth participation beyond traditional forms of civic engagement.
– Strengthen youth workers’ competences to empower young people to become active, informed, and responsible members of society.
– Foster the exchange of experiences, good practices, and methodologies related to youth participation and civic engagement across different countries.
– Promote international networking, cooperation, and peer learning among youth workers and youth organisations.
Workshops & Activities of the project
The training course was based on non-formal education methodologies and experiential learning, combining interactive workshops, simulations, group work, reflection activities, field visits, and intercultural exchange. Throughout the mobility, participants explored key concepts related to democracy, citizenship, youth participation, volunteering, activism, and youth empowerment.
Participants engaged in workshops focused on democratic participation, rights and responsibilities of European citizens, youth participation strategies, digital participation and fake news, civic engagement, and the role of youth workers in supporting young people’s involvement in society. Through discussions, debates, simulations, and peer-learning activities, they exchanged experiences and analysed barriers and opportunities for youth participation in their respective countries.
The programme also included meetings with local community stakeholders, visits to community initiatives, intercultural activities, and collaborative work on the creation of an e-book entitled “Guide to Promoting the Social and Civic Participation of Young People”, which served as the main tangible outcome of the training course.
Through collaborative learning and international exchange, participants developed practical ideas, tools, and mini-actions aimed at increasing youth participation, strengthening democratic engagement, and enhancing the quality and impact of youth work across Europe.
It is an amazing opportunity and a great experience for EKO’s team.
Cynthia, Andreas and Konstantinawere the amazing Greek team members whom we want to thank for all their contributions and collaboration throughout the project!
As EKO, we are very grateful for that amazing opportunity given to the Greek team. We thank our Portuguese partner, Alqueva, Portel, Portugal, and the members of the hosting organisation for all their hard work and for creating such an impactful project!
Thank you – Ευχαριστούμε – Obrigado!
