On October 14-15, the final event of the EU-funded Citizen Z project took place at the InfoHub of the European Parliament in Brussels, drawing participants from across Europe for a two-day exploration of democracy beyond elections. Organized by the Intercultural Dialogue Platform and the Citizen Z project partners, in collaboration with Stand Up for Europe and the European Parliament, the event centered on the theme "Democracy Beyond Elections – Deliberations with Young People on Common Issues for European Citizens."
The event aimed to move beyond traditional electoral participation, encouraging continuous civic engagement. It provided a space for young people to discuss and shape the future of European democracy, stressing that democracy is not only about voting but about participation in everyday life. With over 70 in-person participants from countries such as Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Estonia, Romania, Austria, and the Netherlands, along with a strong online audience, the event showcased youth-driven deliberative democracy practices. It highlighted the outcomes and recommendations from the two rounds of local deliberations with young people across Europe.
The opening speech was presented by Giulia Busolin, Project Manager from the Civil Society Outreach Unit of the European Parliament, who co-hosted the event. She emphasized key information about the Parliament's flagship initiative and provided insights from the recent European parliamentary elections.
The program kicked off with a workshop focused on reimagining youth centers across Europe. Facilitated by Silvestar Petrov, President of Udruga Prizma in Croatia, participants collaborated to design inclusive and empowering youth centers. Their recommendations will be presented to European policymakers, reflecting a shared vision of democratic spaces that engage youth in meaningful ways.
The afternoon continued with a panel discussion on the housing crisis, one of the most pressing issues faced by young Europeans. Speakers, including Teun Otte, Chairperson of ASVA Student Union in Amsterdam, Suzana Carp, European Policy Specialist, and Emiliano Rocchetti, Policy Officer at the International Union of Tenants, shared youth-driven solutions for tackling the housing shortage and ensuring affordable access to housing across Europe.
The second day of the event focused on integrating democracy into everyday life. A standout session centered on the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) tool and the idea of a unique European public transport pass, building on insights from previous youth deliberations. Participants engaged with experts Vasiliki Mustakis, Participatory Democracy Manager at ECAS, and Tony Venables, Founder of the ECIT Foundation on European Citizens’ Rights, to explore the strengths and limitations of the ECI and assess the feasibility of the transport pass initiative. The session also encouraged participants to develop a communication campaign to promote the proposal via the ECI, highlighting its potential to enhance mobility and connectivity across Europe.
Another key highlight was a panel on the role of diversity and inclusion in empowering youth, moderated by Dr. Cenap Mustafa Aydin and featuring experts such as Prof. Luigi di Santo, Professor of Philosophy and Law, Prof. Katiuscia Carnà, Head of Education and expert in Active and Global Citizenship, Marco Tarquinio, Member of the European Parliament, Domenico De Carlo, Youth Representative from the Youth Forum of Potenza, and Ludmila Malai, Coordinator of the Citizen Z project. The discussion emphasized how inclusive practices can foster resilience, innovation, and active participation, empowering young people from diverse backgrounds to shape Europe’s democratic future.
The event concluded with an engaging quiz on the European Parliament, challenging participants' knowledge and offering the chance to win exciting books about Europe. The quiz was moderated by Youth Advocacy Members Nisa Yildirim and Esra Tekinkaya, adding an interactive and fun element to the closing session.
The final event of the Citizen Z Project reinforced that democracy must go beyond the ballot box, requiring ongoing engagement, particularly from young people, to address the pressing issues faced by European citizens. Expanding deliberative and participatory practices not only allows youth to bring valuable insights to policymakers, but also plays a crucial role in fostering their civic awareness. Through these processes, young people become more active participants in shaping society, gaining a deeper understanding of their civic responsibilities and the impact they can have on the future of Europe.
Ultimately, the event instilled a sense of shared responsibility among young people to actively shape their futures, highlighting the importance of civic participation in everyday life. As democracy evolves, it is crucial for youth to stay at the forefront, ensuring governance reflects the diverse and dynamic needs of European society. Democracy is not a given—it is something that must be fought for every day. We can never declare that democracy has prevailed and move on; it requires constant vigilance. Young people, in particular, must be deeply involved in these processes, as they are the stewards of democracy for both the present and future generations.
