On 16 January, GEYC joined partners from across Europe for the online
Kick-off Meeting of EU-MATTER (European Understanding - Mobilising Awareness
through Training, Trust, Engagement and Representation), officially
launching this new project funded under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and
Values (CERV) programme.
The kick-off meeting brought together representatives of all partner
organisations to establish a shared understanding of the project’s
objectives, methodology, and expected impact. During the meeting, partners
discussed the overall work plan, upcoming activities, communication
strategies, and coordination structures that will guide the project over the
next 24 months. The session also provided space for partners to exchange
perspectives on the current challenges facing European democracy and youth
participation.
What is the project about?
EU-MATTER was designed in response to a growing set of challenges affecting
democratic life in Europe, including low levels of youth participation,
declining trust in institutions, and the increasing spread of
disinformation. Many young people feel disconnected from decision-making
processes at both local and European levels, despite being directly affected
by policies related to education, employment, climate change, and social
inclusion. EU-MATTER aims to address this disconnect by empowering young
people to better understand how democracy works and by creating concrete
opportunities for engagement.
The project will focus on young people aged 18–29, with particular attention
to those from underrepresented and vulnerable backgrounds. Through a
combination of civic education activities, national seminars, policy labs,
and transnational exchanges, participants will strengthen their knowledge of
EU institutions, democratic values, and policymaking processes. A key
component of the project will be the use of digital tools and online spaces
to support learning, dialogue, and cross-border collaboration.
One of the highlights of EU-MATTER will be a transnational civic hackathon,
where young people from different countries will come together to co-create
policy ideas and recommendations on key European challenges. These
recommendations will be shared with decision-makers and stakeholders,
reinforcing the project’s commitment to connecting youth voices with real
policy discussions.
GEYC is proud to contribute to EU-MATTER by bringing its expertise in youth
participation, digital engagement, and civic education. Through this
project, we aim to support young people not only in gaining knowledge, but
also in developing the confidence, skills, and motivation needed to actively
participate in democratic life. Over the coming months, we will share
updates on activities, opportunities for involvement, and project results as
EU-MATTER unfolds.