Toolkit
Toolkit
The IncludeYOU Toolkit is a comprehensive and practice-oriented resource developed within the Erasmus+ programme to promote meaningful youth participation in democratic life across Europe. It is designed for young people, youth workers, educators, policymakers, local authorities, and civil society organisations, helping them bridge the gap between policy commitments and everyday practice. The Toolkit frames youth participation as both a democratic right and a mechanism for inclusion, while also identifying the social, economic, cultural, and digital barriers that often prevent young people from fully engaging. At the same time, it provides concrete methods such as youth-led projects, simulations, debates, role plays, policy laboratories, checklists, and case studies that can be adapted to different contexts. These resources enable stakeholders to create inclusive and sustainable processes while also equipping young people with essential competences like critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, communication, and advocacy.
The Toolkit emphasises inclusive approaches, ensuring that young people from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds are supported through targeted outreach, financial assistance, mentoring, and safe, accessible spaces for participation. By fostering genuine dialogue and co-creation between youth and policymakers, it ensures that young people’s contributions move beyond symbolic gestures and become integrated into decision-making processes at local, national, and European levels. Flexible and adaptable, the Toolkit can be applied in schools, municipalities, youth councils, and transnational initiatives, aligning directly with the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027 and particularly Youth Goal 9: Space and Participation for All. Ultimately, the IncludeYOU Toolkit serves as both a pedagogical and policy instrument, equipping young people and those who work with them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to act as equal partners in shaping democratic life, thereby strengthening inclusivity, resilience, and legitimacy in governance across Europe.
IncludeYou Toolkit: Click Here
Module No1
Education & Youth Empowerment: This module highlights education and lifelong learning as key rights, with civic education serving as a foundation for democratic participation. It explores how schools, NGOs, and local communities can act as enablers of youth empowerment and provide spaces for active engagement in civic life.
Module No2
Youth and the Environment: This module focuses on the connection between young people and environmental action. It examines youth-led climate activism, the promotion of sustainable lifestyles, and how young people can influence EU Green Deal policies through participation and advocacy.
Module No3
Employment, Entrepreneurship & Digital Skills: This module addresses the challenges of youth unemployment in Europe and introduces entrepreneurship as a path to empowerment. It also emphasizes the importance of building digital competences to enhance employability and prepare young people for future labor markets.
Module No4
Inclusion of Vulnerable Social Groups: This module raises awareness about the barriers faced by marginalized youth, including migrants, NEETs, and minorities. It provides strategies to ensure inclusive participation in democratic processes and draws on case studies of successful inclusion initiatives.
Module No5
Youth Participation & EU Youth Goals: This module introduces participants to the EU Youth Dialogue and the European Youth Goals, with a focus on Youth Goal #9 “Space and Participation for All.” It also shares examples of youth-led initiatives that strengthen democratic participation at all levels.
Module No6
Leadership, Advocacy & Critical Thinking: This module develops young people’s leadership potential by exploring different leadership styles and approaches to advocacy. It also emphasizes critical thinking as a vital tool for evaluating policies, media narratives, and decision-making processes.
Module No7
Digital Youth Engagement & Smart Participation: This module explores how digital tools and social media shape youth movements and participation. It introduces online methods such as digital campaigns, e-petitions, and consultations, while weighing risks like fake news and exclusion against opportunities for inclusion and outreach.
Module No8
Policy Dialogue & Networking with Stakeholders: This module equips young people with the skills to engage meaningfully with policymakers and stakeholders. It emphasizes the importance of networking with NGOs, local councils, and EU institutions and promotes co-creation of policies through structured dialogue and debate.
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