The Erasmus+ project “Is My Vote Useful?” brought together young people from five European countries – Bulgaria, Spain, France, the Czech Republic and Sweden – to increase their civic engagement and knowledge about the European Parliament and citizens’ rights in the European Union. The event took place in Strasbourg, France, from 21 to 26 October and offered an intensive programme of activities dedicated to the mechanisms of European politics, the role of MEPs and how participation in elections can shape the future of Europe.

Day One: Getting to Know the Parties in the European Parliament and Preparing Questions

On the first day, the participants focused on getting to know the main political groups in the European Parliament, exploring their goals and principles, and formulating questions they planned to ask MEPs over the coming days. The evening was dedicated to walking and exploring the city, which captivated everyone with its historical and cultural heritage.

Day Two: Visit to the European Quarter and meeting with Tomas Zdechowski

On the second day, participants visited the European Quarter, where they got to know some of the main EU institutions, including the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Parliament. Inside the Parliament itself, they had the opportunity to meet Czech MEP Tomas Zdechovsky, who shared his experience as an MEP, the main goals of his party and answered questions raised by participants. They also observed a live session and were given a tour of the Parliament.

Day Three: Observation of a meeting and meeting with Spanish MP Rosa Serrano Sierra

The third day was spent again at the European Parliament, where the group attended a plenary session. After the session, they met with Rosa Serrano Sierra, an MEP from Spain, who spoke about her role and activities in the Parliament. After the meeting, the participants had free time for walks and exchange of impressions.

Day Four: Working on the project results and role play

The last day of the program was dedicated to analyzing and summarizing the results of the project. In the afternoon, the group returned to the European Parliament to participate in a role-playing game. In it, participants were divided into groups representing different political parties and had to defend the interests of their party, which allowed the young people to better understand the complexity of decision-making in parliament. After finishing the game, they received certificates of participation and ended with a common dinner, where they shared their experiences and created friendships that will last a lifetime.

Feedback from participants

After the project ended, the participants shared their impressions and what they had learned from the experience. They expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to experience the work of the European Parliament, to understand how significant their voices are and what impact their participation can have on the democratic processes of Europe. According to them, the project not only broadened their understanding of political processes, but also motivated them to be more engaged citizens.

The project “Is My Vote Useful?” showed that young people in Europe are interested in the future of the continent and want to be part of the change. Such initiatives inspire confidence that the engagement of the new generation will contribute to a stronger, united and democratic Europe.

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