The project “Active Democratic Change in EU Society” was funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme “Europe for Citizens”.
4 events have been carried out within this project:
Event 1 (Estonia)
Participation: The event involved 31 citizens, including 2 participants from the city of Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 2 participants from the city of Wolverhampton, (UK), 2 participants from the city of Skopje (FYROM).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Pärnu, Estonia, from 30/11/2017 to 03/12/2017
Short description: The aim of the event was to understand what Euroscepticism is, it’s types and reasons behind EU-scepticism, (we did a world Café). We discussed about European integration and Estonian society, learned participating channels in democracy (as E-vote). Experts, showed connection of transparency & corruption with democratic participation. We did a Cultural presentation of the countries involved in the project and we made workshops to explore the benefits of being EU members and the democracy model we want to have.
We presented a survey with more than 200 people (whom living in rural areas and towns) about how Estonian citizens feel connected with EU, benefits to be member with EU society.
The participants created podcasts, YouTube video and daily summaries with conclusions.
Event 2 (UK)
Participation: The event involved 48 citizens, 2 participants from the city of Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 2 participants from the city of Pärnu (Estonia), 2 participants from the city of Skopje (FYROM).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Wolverhampton, UK, from 12/03/2018 to 15/03/2018
Short description: The aim of the event was to discuss about Brexit case study, a world café about EU criticism on Brexit, We also did a mapping game to know the culture of the town, as well as Cultural presentation of the countries involved in the project. We exchanged opinions about EU future from different groups (Eurosceptic, EU fans, remaining indifferent, underrepresented ones) and understand why citizens have negative ideas about EU in a workshop. We looked the reasons deeper, discussed about each of them and discover citizens position and alternatives. We made a workshop about benefits that EU brings to a regular citizen as a tool to confront the Euroscepticism and promote solidarity.
We presented the survey they did with more than 200 people (marginalized/disadvantaged people, BME women & unemployed adults) about how English people feel connected with EU society.
We created podcasts, YouTube videos and daily summaries with conclusions.
Event 3 (FYROM)
Participation: The event involved 31 citizens, including 2 participants from the city of Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 2 participants from the city of Pärnu (Estonia), 2 participants from the city of Wolverhampton (UK).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Skopje, FYROM from 05/04/2018 to 09/04/2018
Short description: The aim of the event was to understand what is populism, democratic culture from Balkan view and to see with statistics to positive effects & benefits to be European Union member (as structural funds). Experts showed benefit of EU for a regular citizen such as economy, services, education, welfare, as well as transparency standards and level of corruption). We did a workshop to discuss the impact in the population of the national government position (to be pro or against EU). We also fostered intercultural dialogue with a workshop how EU citizens from different countries understand and participate in democratic life as well as made a Cultural presentation of the countries involved in the project. We demonstrate positive contribution, Irish and Spanish adhesion and progress case study as well as made a round table with experts about the risks of populism to democracy.
We presented the survey that more than 200 people participated (minorities, young people, decision makers) about how Macedonian people feel about EU and their willingness to be part with European Union.
We created podcasts, YouTube videos and daily summaries with conclusions.
Event 4 (SPAIN)
Participation: The event involved 28 citizens, including 2 participants from the city of Pärnu (Estonia), 2 participants from the city of Wolverhampton (UK), 2 participants from the city of Skopje (FYROM).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, from 11/06/2018 to 16/06/2018
Short description: The aim of the event was to raise awareness on the benefits of EU as civil rights, democracy, economy and education. We made a Cultural presentation of the countries involved in the project. Citizen platform and 3 political parties explained in round table democracy from Spanish view. We made workshops to show the connection between Democracy and transparency, to create proposals to enhance the civic participation to give voice to citizens and propose our idea of EU future.
We made a presentation of the survey with hundred people (social disadvantaged and non-associated citizens, unemployed, university researchers) and asked how much they feel European also how citizens are aware of benefits to be European Union.
We concluded the results in podcasts, YouTube video and daily summaries for the next steps for long-term effect and the creation of final products as web publish and Booklet.
