EU4Youth2Act Project | 26–30 October 2025 | Brussels, Belgium
From 26 to 30 October 2025, participants of the EU4Youth2Act project took part in a study visit to Brussels, aimed at deepening their understanding of European institutions and encouraging them to become active citizens. Over the course of five days, young people and project partners from across Europe engaged in institutional visits, policy discussions, and interactive activities designed to strengthen their knowledge of the European Union and its democratic processes.
Day 1 – Monday, 27 October 2025: Visit to the European Commission and the Council of Europe Liaison Office
The first full day of the study visit began with a meeting in front of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) at the European Commission. After check-in, the group participated in an insightful study visit to DG EAC, Unit A3, where they learned about EU education and youth policies.
Morning sessions included presentations by:
- Daria Arlavi and Annelisa Cotone, on “Building the Union of Skills and How Citizenship Education Fits In”
- Mathieu Orphanides, Kari Gardelin, and Anna-Sophie Hoppe, who introduced EU Youth Opportunities and Programmes.
In the afternoon, participants visited the Council of Europe Liaison Office to the EU for a session with the Youth Partnership, exploring the shared efforts of the EU and the Council of Europe in promoting youth participation and non-formal education.
The day concluded with a group dinner at Wolf Food Market, where participants had the opportunity to network and exchange reflections in a relaxed setting.
Day 3 – Tuesday, 28 October 2025: Exploring European Institutions and Digital Citizenship
On the third day, participants discovered more about how European institutions function and how citizens can influence decision-making processes.
In the morning, the group visited the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), where they gained insights into the role of local authorities and civil society in shaping EU policies.
In the afternoon, the delegation met with representatives of the Young European Federalists (JEF) at Rue des Deux Églises 14, hosted by Alexiane Terrochaire and Ismael Paez Civico from CESES. The session included a panel discussion titled “How Digitalisation Can Bridge the Generational Gap,” featuring:
- Andrew Jacobs, Senior Advisor, CESES
- Zia Perko, Board Member, CONNECT International
- Alexiane Terrochaire, Vice-President, JEF
The discussion highlighted how digital tools can enhance intergenerational dialogue and active youth participation in European society. The event ended with a Q&A session and a networking reception, followed by a project partners’ meeting at CONNECT headquarters.
Day 4 – Wednesday, 29 October 2025: Policy Power-Up Conference and Visit to the European Parliament
The highlight of the study visit was the “Policy Power-Up: E-Volunteering in Action” conference, held at Mundo Madou. The conference presented the policy recommendations and legislative guidelines developed through the EU4Youth2Act and e-Volunteering initiatives, focusing on how digital engagement can strengthen youth participation across Europe.Conference Highlights:
The discussions explored how institutions and organizations can foster the development of e-volunteering, remove barriers to participation, and create new opportunities for young Europeans to engage digitally and democratically.
In the afternoon, participants visited the European Parliament for an interactive role-play simulation, allowing them to experience the EU legislative process from the inside and understand how Members of the European Parliament make decisions that affect millions of Europeans.
Day 5 – Thursday, 30 October 2025: Departure
The study visit concluded with participants’ departures. After four days of learning, exchange, and inspiration, they left Brussels with a deeper understanding of how the European Union operates and how they, as young citizens, can play an active role in shaping its future.
About EU4Youth2Act
The EU4Youth2Act project empowers young people to become active European citizens by enhancing their knowledge of EU institutions, policies, and participation mechanisms. Through study visits, capacity-building activities, and policy dialogues, the project connects young Europeans with the democratic processes that shape their everyday lives—encouraging them to act, engage, and contribute to a stronger, more participatory Europe.