2025-06-20
Today, there is a lot of talk about how important it is to be an active citizen, participate in public life, take an interest in politics, and contribute to the well-being of your community. However, it is not only lessons at school but also real-life experiences that help us truly understand what this means. For our group, this experience was an international youth project in Croatia dedicated to active citizenship. During this project, we not only expanded our knowledge, but also understood how every person, especially young people, can influence both their city and Europe as a whole. It was an experience that changed our attitude towards citizenship and encouraged us to take action.
The project brought together young people from different European countries. From the very first days, we were involved in various activities related to democracy, European Union institutions, civic engagement, and responsibility. One of the most important topics was the work of the European Parliament: how it functions, how decisions are made, and what role citizens can play in it. This knowledge was presented in an interesting and lively way—we participated in discussions, interactive workshops, role-playing games, and even simulated political processes. One of the most impressive activities was the city council simulation. We had to decide whether to demolish an old town and build a dam in its place, which would bring economic benefits. The participants were divided into four groups: city council, environmentalists, residents opposed to the dam, and those who supported it. During the simulation, there were real negotiations, arguments, and we sought compromises. This helped us understand how difficult it is to make decisions when different interests must be considered — economic, environmental, historical, and emotional. However, the project was not limited to theoretical knowledge. We also went out into nature—during hikes, we cleaned local trails and parks and picked up trash. This simple but meaningful work reminded us that being an active citizen means not only voting or participating in politics but also caring for our environment. In addition, we had time to get to know each other, share experiences, and talk about the challenges faced by young people in different countries. This strengthened international understanding and friendship.
After returning from Croatia, we realized that an active citizen is not only someone who is interested in politics, but also someone who takes action, cares for their environment, listens to others, and dares to change what is important to them. This project not only taught us important things about democracy and the EU but also inspired us to continue our activities. We feel more confident; it was not only an educational trip, but also a journey towards a more mature view of the world.
Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union who cannot be held responsible for them
