W.E. – Ways of Europe

 

What the project is about:

The project is designed to bring young people closer to the idea of Europe by exploring European values, identity, and active citizenship in an engaging and relatable way. Through hands-on activities, local events, discussions, and creative formats, the project helps participants understand how Europe works, why it matters in their daily lives, and how they can contribute to shaping its future. The initiative empowers youth to reflect on Europe’s challenges, discover its opportunities, and develop their own path as active Europeans.

The project consists of local and international actions.

The project experiments with methodologies that combine participation, art, and culture to bring the political dimension closer to emotions and desires. The first edition, Words of Europe (2022-2024), involved 3,100 people in more than 140 events, building a creative vocabulary to define our Europe.

Ways of Europe develops moments of local and transnational participation in symbolic places, physical and thematic borders where challenges and opportunities for Europe’s present and future intersect, with the goal of creating bridges and building a more just, fair, democratic, and free society. The idea behind the project is that political participation must be truly broad and inclusive, regardless of citizenship status.

For more information, please visit:

First edition: https://www.wordsofeurope.eu/
Second edition (ongoing): https://waysofeurope.eu/

JEF sections can organise events within the framework of WP1 and WP2 and receive a small budget for their implementation!

 

Main objectives and goal of local actions:

• engage young people, migrants, minorities and underrepresented groups;
• discuss Europe’s future, participation, inclusion and democratic values;
• test the “Future Dialogues” methodology at local level;
• build a network of Ways of Europe Ambassadors;
• strengthen grassroots activism within JEF.

 

The activities contribute directly to:

• WP1: reconnecting voices & visioning the future of Europe
• WP2: analysing effective/ineffective participation practices

 

Small scale events on local level:

 

Within WP1 type of event:

A small, interactive, educational event introducing young people to European values, identity, democracy, and current challenges. Examples:

• “What Europe Means to Me” discussion circle
• Mini-workshop on EU values & rights
• Community conversation on youth priorities in Europe
• Short local debate or simulation
• Exploring the future of Europe using the “future dialogue” methodology

 

Objectives:

• Increase participants’ understanding of EU values and fundamental rights.
• Create a safe space for young people to express opinions about Europe.
• Encourage local youth to participate in civic and democratic processes.
• Strengthen JEF’s visibility at community level.

 

Participants: min 10 participants per event

Number of events: 5

Typical budget: €250 per event

 

Within WP2 type of event:

A small, interactive, educational event introducing young people and young activists to local, national and international participatory practices and practices you use in your sections. Examples:

• Case studies
• Group discussions
• Mini workshops on analysing of real-world examples

Objectives:

• Empower young people with practical tools to participate in democratic life.
• Co-create ideas or small action plans for improving their communities.
• Strengthen youth leadership and activism.
• Generate concrete outputs (policy suggestions, prototype campaigns, local initiatives).

 

Participants: min 10 participants

Number of events: 5

Typical budget: € 250 per event 

 

Timeline and deadline

Tasks	Deadlines
Section submitting interest	2 Dec. 2025
Results sent out	7 Dec. 2025 (or as soon as possible)
Implementation	8-21 Dec. 2025
Reporting	23 Dec. 2025

 

Reporting duties:

• Signature list (provided template)
• Photos
• Short report
• Disseminate the EU survey right after the event.

Eligible sections: can be Local, regional and national sections from all EU countries except: Italy, France, the Netherlands and Hungary. Plus those from non EU sections in: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

To apply please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmsEdW6dM1FBOqST22fAL2_sG3bFAAljGqMNGqTbEYwF7WUw/viewform?usp=publish-editor