As Europe faces social and humanitarian crises, preparing for uncertain future has become more crucial than ever. Today's challenges call for collective action driven by cooperation and a shared sense of agency. Young leaders are ready to collaborate, bring new ideas and create solutions — but for that to happen true participation is essential. That’s why Project Participate was launched: to amplify the voices of young people and empower them with a space to take meaningful action.
The Participate project is implemented with the financial support of Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation.
Collaboration
By partnering with young leaders, such as those in the Youth Leadership for Emerging Future program, and truly seeing their perspectives, we recognize the importance of working together to co-create and nurture changemaker communities. The “Participate” project of the Polish-German-Ukrainian Team of Young Leaders for Amplifying Their Voice in the EU, which was implemented with the support of the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation was born out of this shared vision.
◍ Partnerships
An international team of young leaders (Polish-Ukrainian-German) has been built, to share experiences.
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◍ Network
Young leaders traveled to Hamburg for the Ashoka Changemaker Summit, where they built relationships, contributed to sessions and sparked inspiration.
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◍ Learning
Young leaders shared their views on the topic in the “True Participation by youth” publication.
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◍ Advocacy
Young people are taking action to amplify their voices and be heard.
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Are we ready for true participation?
“True Participation by Youth” is a publication created by young leaders to explore how to involve young people in meaningful action. True participation is about fostering empowerment, restoring decision-making power, and enabling real impact. The publication delves into the barriers young people encounter when striving to actively engage in society and offers insights on how to break these barriers, facilitate their involvement, and pave the way for action.
The publication’s launch and its key conclusions were presented during the Youth Leadership for Emerging Future final event on 29.11.2024. See the event summary here.
I really want to highlight that this is the power of community being connected with people who are doing some similar things that you're doing. So it makes me really feel that I'm not alone and I will never be alone to.
Valeriia
Participant UA/PL
We need young people as equal partners in society, standing alongside us to confront inequality and transform political, social, and economic systems into ones that provide shared opportunities for all. True participation means fully embracing their vital role in safeguarding our collective rights and driving the meaningful, long-term progress...
Alexandra Schiessendoppler
Mentor, DE
The beautiful thing about the diversity of answers is the fact that all of us activists, leaders, volunteers, all who are making strides towards change are united.
Kasia
Publication co-author, UA/PL
Ashoka Changemaker Summit 2024
In 2024, ACMS was held in Hamburg. This is Ashoka's largest community gathering, bringing together social entrepreneurs, young changemakers and business and philanthropic leaders to support the vision of “everyone a changemaker.” This year's theme was true participation, and the program, strategy and events at ACMS were co-created by young leaders.
This publication is another step in our journey of collaboration and co-creation with young leaders. Our goal is to build genuine partnerships and lasting relationships. We believe that by listening to your needs and working together to design solutions, we can achieve true participation and drive meaningful, long-term change. Stay tuned to our channels to keep up with our upcoming initiatives!
Do you have an idea for collaboration? Contact Participate coordinator Agnieszka Płoska.
Ashoka
