Project Reference: 2020-3-FR02-KA347-018608
Status: Completed
Duration: January 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022
EU Grant: €49,245.70
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: Youth Dialogue Projects
Countries Involved: France
Background
The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the difficulties faced by young people in Europe. While they were often portrayed as carriers of the virus, their own voices were rarely heard. The pandemic did not affect their health as much as their social and economic situations. Many struggled with education, entering the job market, unemployment, and mental health issues. Existing government measures focused mainly on employment and training, leaving many other areas of young people’s lives unaddressed.
Objectives
The 2022 Let’s Talk About It project aimed to give young people a platform to express their concerns on key issues such as community life, ecology, the role of media, mental health, democracy, discrimination, and international solidarity. The goal was to collect their ideas and co-create 30 innovative policy proposals to present to decision-makers, including presidential candidates, with the hope of influencing future policies.
Implementation
The project was designed as a long-term process divided into six stages. Each stage involved both decision-makers and young people from diverse backgrounds. Activities combined citizens’ assemblies, digital consultations, national presentations, and seminars. This mix of formats allowed young people to express themselves in creative ways and ensured that their ideas were refined in dialogue with experts.
Key Activities
The first activity was a Citizens’ Assembly with 45 participants to review youth policies since the start of COVID-19. This was followed by a large digital consultation aimed at collecting 5,000 responses from young people across France. A national event gathered 60 participants to present the first results, leading to a three-day seminar called La Fabrique Citoyenne. Here, participants and experts worked together to finalize the 30 proposals. Finally, the Let’s Talk About It Forum brought young people face-to-face with presidential candidates to discuss these proposals directly.
Results
The project produced 30 innovative proposals for youth-related policies, developed through consultations and collaborative workshops. A presentation guide, a short film, and a campaign kit were created to spread these results. Skills workshops also helped young participants learn how to present their ideas in public and engage with decision-makers effectively.
Impact
The project gave thousands of young people the chance to make their voices heard during a critical period. It strengthened dialogue between youth and policymakers, encouraged civic participation, and highlighted issues often ignored in public debate. By sharing the proposals widely across networks and institutions, the project created lasting awareness and inspired more young people to take part in shaping society.
