SpeakUP for Europe brought face to face young voters and MEP candidates, debating exclusively on youth related issues and encouraging young people to cats their vote in the European Elections 2019.
Initiated by Social DOers and funded by the European Parliament, the campaign SpeakUP for Europe was implemented from January to June 20109 and aimed at informing, educating and mobilising young people to vote during EU elections.
Context
With a previous youth turnout of 28% in 2014 European election and a Brexit vote in 2016, the European elections 2019 were of crucial importance for the future of the European Union. It was essential that young people have access to unbiased information on what is the European Union, how it impacts their every day life, how they can influence decisions at European level and what are the benefits of European citizenship.
Activities
In the framework of SpeakUP for Europe, the following actions were implemented:
-creating a community of 10 young multipliers and empowering them to reach out to their peers to carry informative actions related to the EU elections;
-organise local actions led by young multipliers in high-schools, public spaces, universities etc. where they would inform and engage directly with their peers;
-direct debates between young voters and MEP candidates from all parties, on youth related issues. The debates were live streamed on social media and organised in:
- Cluj Napoca – 17th of April
- Timisoara – 22nd of April
- Bucharest – 14th May
In addition, Social DOers in partnership with The Good Lobby organised citizens´ lobby workshops and offer young people the tools and knowledge to follow up after their votes and influence policies.
On the elections night, a civic party was organised in partnership with Funky Citizens and Expirat Club, where young people could join only based on their voter stick. The party was organised to celebrate democracy, encourage young voters to cast their votes also in next elections and watch live the results of EP elections 2019.
Results
- 317 young people were directly engaged in activities;
- 18 MEP candidates attending the debates with young voters;
- 139.760 young people reached on social media
The project was implemented with the support of European Parliament Liaison Office in Bucharest
Other partners: Funky Citizens, Federatia Tinerilor din Cluj, Fundatia Judeteana pentru Tineret Timis.
