In a Europe undergoing fast social, cultural, and environmental change, engaging young people as active contributors is becoming increasingly essential. Youth participation is no longer a secondary goal: it is a necessary step toward building inclusive, sustainable societies capable of responding to global challenges. This is the vision behind PIVOT, designed to strengthen active citizenship among young people aged 17 to 25 and to give them the tools to understand how the European Union works and how they can take part in its democratic life.
PIVOT focuses on three crucial areas shaping today’s Europe—and even more so its future: gender equality, migration, and climate change. Through a combination of workshops, webinars, training activities, and dialogue with policymakers, the project offers young people a space to develop critical and transversal skills. The aim is to create meaningful opportunities for exchange, where personal reflection leads to collective engagement.
The first area of action is gender equality, a field that still shows clear disparities in representation and opportunities, especially for women and vulnerable groups. PIVOT encourages young people to explore what equality truly means in a democratic society and highlights how diversity and inclusion are not abstract ideals but essential foundations of a fair and credible system.
Alongside gender-related issues, the project addresses migration—a complex reality that touches on rights, identity, mobility, and integration. PIVOT enables participants to listen to real stories, engage with global and local dynamics, and develop a more informed and empathetic understanding of migratory processes.
The third focus is the environment and climate change, an area where young people are increasingly vocal and involved. Through dedicated training and activities, the project supports their ability to champion a more sustainable future, encouraging them to take both individual and collective responsibility.
The project’s impact is tangible in the countries where it has been implemented. In Italy, for instance, students from the “Ernesto Basile” High School in Palermo took part in a series of workshops between October 2023 and June 2024; the sessions explored all the core themes of the project. These experiences have led to important outcomes: stronger soft skills such as critical thinking and active citizenship, greater awareness of gender, migration, and environmental issues, and new spaces of dialogue between young people and policymakers.
Ultimately, PIVOT is more than an educational initiative. It is a process that helps young people understand their role within today’s Europe and the Europe they will shape tomorrow. It is an invitation to take part in building the future—contributing to a society that is more inclusive, fair, and sustainable.
At a time when youth voices are essential to interpreting and guiding change, projects like PIVOT represent a strategic investment and a long-term vision—one in which young people are not mere observers, but active protagonists of a more equitable, participatory, and resilient Europe.
About the project
PIVOT – Youth Promoting Informed VOTe is a project funded by the KA220-YOU – Cooperation partnerships in youth program of the European Union.
Partners
- FEMMES ENTRAIDE ET AUTONOMIE (France, coordinator);
- CESIE (Italy);
- People in Focus (Albania);
- SAVE A GIRL SAVE A GENERATION (Spain)
For further information
Read more about the project.
Contact Mohamed Bashir Omar, mohamed.bashiromar@cesie.org
