On 14 and 15 June 2025, the European Youth Foundation conducted a monitoring visit to the pilot activity “Diverse Ideas in Debate: Introduction to Active Citizenship” ("Divers’Idées en débat: initiation à la citoyenneté active") of the European Youth Parliament France (Parlement européen des jeunes PEJ France), as part of the 2025 pilot activity of the same title.  

A total of 54 young participants from disadvantaged communities across France, including young refugees, isolated minors, and youth excluded from the formal education system, attended the two-day training activity held on 14–15 June in Paris, France. The objective of the activity was to empower and educate them on accessing civic rights through four youth-oriented topics, while encouraging critical reflection on societal and political challenges. Using non-formal education methods such as games, debates, and group work, participants explored and developed their knowledge, skills, and capacities in project planning and civic participation, focusing on themes such as digital literacy, inclusive sports activities, organising youth-friendly festivals, and responsible travels.

Through the training activity each of the four groups developed and presented a project on one topic, which was next voted by the whole team. Selected project will be examined by the team EYP-PEJ France with the idea of its implementation.

The Diverse Ideas in Debate: Introduction to Active Citizenship project is supported by the EYF through a grant for pilot activities. More information for this type of support can be found at the following link: What is a pilot activity? - European Youth Foundation