The “Tools for a more Inclusive, Participative and Sustainable European Union – TIPS4EU” project (Strand 2: Democratic Engagement and Civic Participation) focused on strengthening democratic participation and active citizenship, particularly among young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEETs). The project addressed the existing gap between young people and European institutions, as a significant percentage of youth across Europe—especially in countries such as Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, and Spain—remained disengaged from civic participation and EU decision-making processes.
Through the collaboration of 6 municipalities, 1 association of towns, 3 civil society organizations, 1 local action group (LAG), and 1 umbrella NGO from 9 EU countries, as well as Serbia and Montenegro, the 24-month project aimed to bring key European participatory tools closer to disadvantaged citizens. These tools included EU elections, petitions, citizens’ dialogues, European Citizens’ Initiatives, volunteering, civil society organizations, public consultations, and feedback mechanisms.
Within the project, 22 NEET participants were trained as “NEET-Workers,” gaining the skills and knowledge needed to act as multipliers in their local communities. They went on to organize local campaigns, simulating and applying participatory tools to raise awareness and engage other disadvantaged citizens. Through these activities, valuable feedback, ideas, and proposals were collected, contributing to discussions on the future of Europe and promoting youth participation in democratic decision-making processes.
The project included six international events, a preparation phase, and multiple local campaigns, ultimately leading to the establishment of the “TIPS4EU NGO”, ensuring the long-term sustainability and impact of the initiative. Additionally, communication tools such as a web portal, informational materials, and digital resources were developed to support the dissemination of results at both local and European levels.