The problem which this project seeks to address is the small participation rate of young people in the democratic process.The Flash Eurobarometer Survey2013, by the European Commission: ”European Youth: Participation in Democratic Life” showed that for respondents aged 15 to 30, where voting is concerned, the most common reason for voting is trust in the importance of democracy, while the most common reason not to vote is the belief that it will not change anything. Another important find of the eurobarometer is that participation in activities run by various organisations have a positive impact on interest in politics or elections.

Therefore, the aim that we want to achieve through this project is an increase in youth participation in various forms of democratic expression, and promote active citizenship as an important first step for any progress in society, by engaging them in a dialogue about current European and global priorities. To be efficient in this endeavor we will include an important online approach, in order to reach our target group where they are most active and eager to express themselves: on the internet.Our target group for the project activities are high-school and university students (young people who are first-time voters). In order to reach the stated aim of the project we undertake to achieve in the project duration for our main target group, a raised awareness, skills development and an increased sense of European identity.

iDebate Topics

1. Active citizenship and its role in sustainable development
2. Active citizenship and solidarity – European Solidarity Corps
3. Digital active citizenship – modern civic participation
4. Active citizenship and voting – understanding the EU institutions and the legislative procedure
5. The importance of critical thinking in the information era.
6. European elections 2019

International events

Budapest (preparatory meeting, Hungary), Maribor (Slovenia), Petrinja (Croatia), Lisbon (Portugal) and Timisoara (Romania)

Start Date: 01-08-2017   
End Date: 31-01-2019
Duration in months: 18
Total Budget: 59,750

Countries: Romania, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, Portugal
Activity: Strand2: Democratic engagement and civic participation
Sub-Activity: Civil society projects

Results

International events summary: 5 events, 401 participants, 98 international mobilities  >>> view events’ details

Local events summary: 32 events, 2448 participants >>> view local events’ details

Reach: over 50.000 online viewers and informed citizens

Website: i-debate.eu

Video archive by months: i-debate.eu/live/video-archive-by-months/

Youtube channel: iDebate

Facebook page: iDebate

Final International event from Timisoara, Romania: LIVE STREAMED VIDEO

Project map

Click for the Project details on the Europe for Citizens Program Portal

Project partners and iDebate project pages in national languages:

Student Plus – Timisoara, Romania – lead partner

Romanian: http://www.studentplus.ro/ro/idebate-i-debate-therefore-i-learn/

English: http://www.studentplus.ro/idebate-i-debate-therefore-i-learn/

FACULDADE DE CIENCIAS SOCIAIS E HUMANAS DA UNIVERSIDADE NOVA, Lisboa – Portugal

Portuguese: http://www.forumdoscidadaos.pt/o-que-fazemos/idebate/

PEST MEGYE ONKORMANYZATA – Budapest, Hungary

Hungarian: http://www.pestmegye.hu/2-uncategorised/3907-idebate

Zavod PIP – Pravni in informacijski center Maribor, Slovenia

Slovene: http://zavodpip.si/sl/iDebate-Debatiram-krepim-znanje

English: http://zavodpip.si/en/iDebate-Therefore-I-Learn

Udruga za promicanje informatike, kulture i suzivota – Petrinja, Croatia

Croatian: http://udrugaiks.hr/uspjesno-zavrsen-projekt-debatiram-dakle-ucim-2017-2019/

Evropska generacija – Zrenjanin, Serbia

Associazione eurokom – Gerace, Italy

Co-funded by the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union