OBJECTIVE
The aim of the project "European Academy Network. Encouraging democratic participation at EU level" was to provide European local and regional policy makers, associations, and citizens with tools that will support their informed civic and political participation at the EU level. EAN connects 14 towns and organizations across Europe willing to participate in a series of international events where they took part in various policy training modules (simulation games, workshops, discussions) which allowed them to better understand the procedures and standards that constitute the European Union and the fundamentals of active European citizenship.
EVENTS
5 International Events were held in 4 different countries and local activities were held in all 13 countries. The 5 international events took place in Bulgaria, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland, face-to-face, online, and in a hybrid manner.
OUTPUT
With the intention to broadly support European civic education and engagement in shaping the EU agenda, a POLICY TOOLKIT will be published and disseminated as a tool with pan-European relevance containing reviewed methods and worked-out approaches - a set of practical tools and recommendations from a Network of Towns from 13 European countries.
ABOUT US
With the reappearance of demands for national borders, the four EU freedoms (free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons) and EU multiculturalism are under threat. With this in mind, and with respect to the priority to challenge Euroscepticism, the partners of the EUROPEAN ACADEMY NETWORK aim to provide European local and regional policy makers and citizens with knowledge and tools that support active citizenship and democratic Union. The unique composition of the partnership will allow hundreds of citizens to get engaged in a process that includes real-life SIMULATION ACTIVITIES to experience how EU institutions operate and to understand the subtleties of EU policy-making (European Parliament, European Council, European Commission, Committee of the Regions, Council of the EU). This will allow different groups in society to personally engage in Union policy processes, as well as internalize democratic values that unite Europe. EAN moreover will spread good practices of how policy makers and citizens can engage in EU matters, and participate in its making. The project activities will take place between March 2020 and July 2021, engaging partners from 13 countries: Bulgaria, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Montenegro, Poland, and Latvia. By facilitating exchange and policy learning among participants, the project will increase institutional capacities in long-term - a fundamental asset for the future of democracy, taken into consideration nationalistic tendencies in Europe. With the intention to broadly support European civic education and engagement in shaping the EU agenda, a POLICY TOOLKIT will be published and disseminated as a tool with pan-European relevance containing reviewed methods and worked-out approaches. We expect a 70% increase in the volunteering of hundreds of people directly involved. Through dissemination, the project aims to reach over 10.000 people across Europe.