CITIZENSHIP SCHOOL

Full project title: Citizenship School - building inclusive and diverse European societies through the civic participation of young migrants

The Citizenship School is an Erasmus+ project with the aim to support young people with migrant backgrounds to feel included, have their voices heard, and take an active role in European society.

Over the duration of the project, 160 young people will take part in training and mentoring programmes that focus on civic participation, leadership and advocacy.

The project will also bring together universities, NGOs and community organisations to share ideas, co-create practical tools, and present a set of policy recommendations to decision-makers in Brussels.

The project will create a European “Citizenship School” for young people with migrant backgrounds (including “new generation”/second generation migrants).

Why the Citizenship School project?

37 million non-EU citizens live in the EU (approx. 8% of population).

Migrant youth often face barriers in civic and political participation.

Rising extremism and misinformation increase the risk of exclusion.

Migrant youth face barriers: stereotypes, discrimination, lack of representation.

This project creates new spaces for inclusion and participation - ensuring young people of migrant background are not just included socially, but also politically.

Youth participation in politics is low across Europe. At the same time, they are the future citizens and leaders of Europe.

Strengthening their participation = strengthening democracy and inclusion.

Inspired by 4 successful editions already run in Spain - builds on successful similar school already carried out by the coordinator in Valencia:
- 170+ trained migrant leaders
- 76% engaged in NGOs, 27% joined political parties, 37% voted in elections .

Provides training, mentoring, and advocacy opportunities to 160 young migrants (40 per country).

Aims to empower future leaders and create real policy impact at local, national, and European levels.

Project Objectives

Build capacity of organisations working with migrants and make youth participation visible at EU level.

Foster social inclusion, civic engagement, and political participation of 160 young migrants.

Raise awareness among parties, authorities, and society to be more inclusive.

Show young migrants as active agents in building a democratic, supportive Europe.

Target Groups

Main target group:
Young people (aged 15–30) with a migrant background, currently living in partner countries.
These can be second generation (“new generation”) migrants.

Secondary target groups:
Youth workers and educators
Universities and schools
Local/national decision-makers
Civil society, activists, media

Project start date: 1st October 2024
Project end date: 30th September 2026

Project number: 2024-1-ES02-KA220-YOU-000254874

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Agência Nacional para a Gestão do Programa Erasmus+ Educação e Formação. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.