Study visit to Brussels
D-Effect Toolbox
As part of the Youth Democracy Festival, the organizer is encouraged to choose a format that will engage young people and show them the vibrant side of democratic society. One way to increase young people's interest in these topics and explore their perspectives is to create additional supporting initiatives. Their goal is to go beyond the Festival itself and expose young people to diverse ways of experiencing democracy and its functioning. These events can include study visits to democratic institutions, thematic competitions, and meetings with inspiring figures. These forms can be freely selected and combined depending on the needs, opportunities, and nature of the Festival.
An example of such a trip is the study visit to Brussels. This trip was a reward for the winners of the "Camera! Action! Democracy!" competition, where young people could showcase their perspective on democracy. Participants had the opportunity to visit the place where the most important European Union institutions operate daily. The trip was both educational and promotional in nature. It provided an opportunity to present the project's outcomes and the concept of active citizen participation in democratic life.
The program included meetings and visits to institutions of the European Parliament and the House of Eastern Poland in Brussels. Participants had the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the decision-making processes taking place in the European Union and to exchange experiences with project partners from other countries in the Baltic Sea region: Lithuania, Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Sweden.