International project engages young people to maintain and promote European democracy

European democracy is currently facing major challenges, such as the rise of authoritarianism, political extremism and polarisation, and the spread of misinformation. These factors threaten the democratic foundations of the EU. Worryingly, young people and other under-represented groups are hardly participating or seeking to influence democratic decision-making. 

Arja Halkoaho, PhD, Associate Professor and Principal Lecturer from TAMK's Applied Research Centre leads the Finnish implementation of the YOUROPE project.

Youth participation is essential to ensure that decision-making is inclusive and representative of the whole population. Therefore, it is important to implement strategies that promote young people’s participation in political processes.

Arja Halkoaho

Youth-led participation is one of the EU's strategic objectives

The three-year EU-funded project, started in November 2024, supports the growth of young people as open, aware and active citizens who feel that they can participate as equals in the maintenance and development of European democracy. The project will use participatory methods such as community-based research and activities.

The aim is to make European democracy more inclusive by bringing young people, especially those who are often excluded, into the debate. YOUROPE project members want to give young people real opportunities to influence decisions, create better policies and to make democracy work for everyone. 

It not only empowers young individuals by strengthening their voice in democratic processes but increases social cohesion and sustainability as well. This is also important.

Sanna Ruhalahti, Principal Lecturer, Applied Research Center, TAMK

The project consortium brings together local communities and European policy makers. This will ensure that the results are sustainable and scalable, and that they are built on evidence-based research. 

Working with 21 schools and educational institutions across Europe, the project will help students and their communities to create new ways to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Through innovative methods and teamwork with policy makers, the project gives young people the tools to lead change. 

Second project funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme at TAMK

A €4 million research project is funded by the EU's Horizon Europe programme. For Tampere University of Applied Sciences, this is the second Horizon Europe funded project in its history. The project supports the Future Scenarios and Young People's Visions of European Democracy 2040 theme of the EU funding programme.

The project is coordinated by the University of Łódź in Poland and TAMK is a co-implementer with a significant budget contribution. The research project is in the area of Just Transition in TAMK's Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) activities.

The CLRA method is used to create democratic spaces 

The research project will create democratic communal spaces in educational environments. The Community-Led Research and Action (CLRA) methodology will be used.

“We aim to demonstrate that the community-led and participatory method is effective in creating democratic spaces and developing inclusive policies especially for youth that are often left out and their communities. This is important for Europe to respond to rapidly changing societal contexts and global challenges," says Halkoaho. 

In addition to Halkoaho and Ruhalahti, the TAMK team includes Senior Lecturers Nina Smolander, Kirsi Purhonen and Eveliina Asikainen. The project partners in the Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Malta, Spain, the UK as well as the European Youth Parliament are investigating the effectiveness of the CLRA method. They will also explore how these activities can contribute to the development of sustainable and inclusive democratic roadmaps from local to European policy level.