Sections' Initiatives
European Benches (JEF Italy)
History of the project
The project was conceived as a response to the vandalization with Nazi symbols of a European bench realized in Lecco in the month of July 2021. Following this episode, a group of JEFers from the local section created a fundraiser with the aim of buying the necessary material to fix the bench in Lecco.
Following the success of the fundraiser, the initiative of creating local European benches has been expanded to JEF sections all over Italy.
Why a bench?
It’s a meeting place, a place of social gathering, for everyone, regardless of sex, age, religion, or cultural affiliation A symbol of the community and of everyday life.
Do you wish to create a European bench in your town? Check out the infokits!
If you have created a European bench, don’t hesitate to contact us, so that we can add your town to our map!
European City Label (JEF France)
This Label aims to encourage future local politicians to engage in concrete actions to promote European citizenship in the territories. It offers a simple evaluation of these actions in favor of Europe and wants to make visible the good practices of the municipalities thanks to a 100% citizen labelling.
With 5 levels of performance, the Label is designed for all French municipalities, whatever their size, budget or geographical location. The first level of performance (flags on municipal buildings, dedicated signage for local projects funded by the European Union, organization of one public event per year) is immediately accessible to French municipalities and does not involve major budgetary expenditure.
European of the Year (JEF Norway) and Young European of the Year (JEF Finland)
JEF Norway has been awarding the prize of the European of the Year since 1994 to highlight the committment of a person or an entity for Europe in Norway. Former recipients include Jens Stoltenberg (2003) or Eva Joly (2009).
The 2022 prize was awarded to Ukraine “for protecting European values and democracy during trying times, while taking the brave steps closer to the European family. By doing this, Ukraine has paved the path for other countries to join, including Norway”.
Every year on Europe Day (9th of May) JEF Finland rewards a young European who has worked to advance European values and has actively and constructively participated in European dialogue.
JEF Berlin-Brandenburg & JEF Georgia & Umbrella & JEF Ukraine & JEF Spain
Erasmus+ training course on the topic of Populism 🇪🇺!
From 3-10 November 2025, a mobility of youth workers was held in 🇬🇪 Bakuriani, Georgia
During the project, participants developed their competencies in critical thinking, understanding populism and its roots in politics, explored different forms of populism in various political ideologies, and also how track and identify them.
Besides the sessions, participants developed the videos on the following topics and curricula with a set of non-formal educational activities aiming to promote the topic of the project among young people:
👉 Disinformation – https://youtube.com/shorts/7MWvFfQyPVA?feature=share
👉 Ideologies – https://youtube.com/shorts/Cu5GV04P26A?feature=share
👉 Populism – https://youtu.be/v0RSJGraG_A
There were 32 participants from 🇩🇪🇬🇪🇪🇸🇺🇦
After the training course, youth workers implemented follow-up activities in their respective communities, shared the outcomes of the mobility and delivered the activities from the curricula developed by participant youth workers in Bakuriani.
Booklet (curriculum) for youth workers – https://cutt.ly/qtkLPNLx
🇪🇺The project is funded by the European Union within the scope of the Erasmus+ program. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or JUGEND für Europa. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
#notopopulism #erasmusplus #mobility4youthworkers
JEF Berlin-Brandenburg & JEF Georgia & Umbrella & JEF Ukraine & JEF Spain
EU&U – Successfully implemented Erasmus+ mobility of young people – Youth exchange in the small town of Bakuriani, Georgia.
From 4 to 10 November, the Erasmus+ mobility for young people on promoting EU awareness and addressing EU scepticism among young people took place in the mountains of Georgia.
During the 7 working days, 32 participants from 4 European countries (Spain, Germany, Georgia, and Ukraine) improved the skills and knowledge needed to handle the populist narratives and propaganda about EU benefits and values. They improved critical thinking and raised their awareness about EU opportunities and strengthened their sense of European identity. Each country was represented by 8 participants. They shared their personal and country experiences with the topic, developed digital outcomes, like educational videos about EU scempticims from their countries’ perspectives. And now, back in their communities, they promoted the knowledge among their peers via meetings and sharing the outcomes of the project with local youth.
The project is co-funded by the European Union.
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