Event
Looking back on a successful second phase: Young Ideas for Europe in autumn 2011
Last autumn another twelve project weeks were implemented in Alcabideche, Altdorf, Bucharest, Dublin, Erfurt, Ljubljana, Mérida, Sofia, The Hague, Vendome and Zeulenroda. Despite of a wide diversity in culture, background and age, all participants had one thing in common: A really strong commitment to the project, a great interest in developing forward-looking ideas and seemingly unlimited creativity!
But not only the participants stood out – once again – for their great enthusiasm. Our partners have reported that more and more guests have shown an interest in attending the closing event when students present their results from their project weeks. Our partner in Spain, for example, was a victim of their own success and had to turn away some guests because the venue was already overcrowded! In Bulgaria meanwhile, the Ambassador of Germany participated in the closing event in Sofia. He was amazed by the exchange of ideas with the students and even shared his impressions on the embassy’s website (in German).
These very positive experiences and feedback show that the Young Ideas for Europe initiative is valued across Europe as a worthwhile youth project which gives students the opportunity to contribute to Europe’s continuing development. They bring in their visions of a common European destiny, having grappled with complex issues and negotiated their ideas with others. As the Irish political patron, Paschal Donohoe put it: “The debate I heard this morning was the best discussion of politics and ideas I’ve ever heard, ever”.
Welcome
Welcome to "Young Ideas for Europe"!
Through the Young Ideas for Europe initiative, we are giving young people from across the European Union the opportunity to play an active role in the European decision making process.
- Christian Hänel
Enthusiasm for the European Idea; interaction and exchange across borders; forging a common understanding among citizens – these are goals we must not let out of our sights, lest the process of European integration come to a standstill. It is particularly important to motivate and mobilize young people to take part in this process, to develop their own concepts and visions for a peaceful Euroepan coexistence. Young people are not suffering from Europe- or political-fatigue. Quite the contrary! But they do need the opportunity and the space to participate, to debate and above all to be heard. >> more
News
01.02.12 The 2011 European Action Plan “New Energy for Europe”: Final Revision
Following the Young Ideas for Europe project weeks in autumn 2011, a selected number of participating students – the Young Ideas for Europe youth delegates – have revised the 2011 European Action Plan “New Energy for Europe”. It is based on the ideas of all participants of the project weeks,...
>> more21.07.11 International Youth Delegation hands over Action Plan in Brussels
On the 13th and 14th of July, an international youth delegation travelled to Brussels to hand over the European Action Plan to the European Commission and the European Parliament.
>> more05.07.11 We welcome our seven new partners!
Seven new partners from Austria, Romania, the UK, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands and Malta have joined the Young Ideas for Europe partner network.
>> moreAbout
What is "Young ideas for Europe"?
Young Ideas for Europe is an initiative of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, realized by IFOK, which inspires young people between the ages of 15 and 18 years to actively shape Europe’s political, economic and social future by giving them not only a forum, but a true voice in European politics.
In 2008, the project’s first year of implementation, over 600 young people in 6 countries participated in a dialogue over the course of 26 weeks.
In 2009 and 2010, more than 1,000 young people from all over Europe will formulate a common “Action Plan: New Energy for Europe”. The core of the initiative is a 5-day workshop, during which young people will debate and develop their ideas for energy policy and climate change together with guidance from experts from across the political spectrum, as well as participants in other European countries.
