election-watch.eu

Brussels/Vienna, 9 April 2024: The European Parliament elections are a critical moment in the democratic processes of the European Union, yet historically, young people have been underrepresented in these elections. Despite making up 17% of the EU population, the voice of youth (15-29 year olds) remains significantly marginalized in EU political decision-making processes.

Election-Watch.EU organises a SEEEDS webinar on “Making a difference through electoral participation: Youth Engagement in the European Parliament elections” on Tuesday, 16 April 2024 from 16:00 to 17:15 hours. Register here and find out more here: SEEEDS Webinar Youth Participation

Objective

Encourage various forms of youth participation in the 6-9 June European Parliament elections by providing an overview of opportunities and requirements, offering solutions to formal and informal barriers, pointing to a variety of youth-tailored information resources, and demonstrating the impact of electoral engagement on national and EU-level decision-making.

Impact

• Enhanced awareness and knowledge of suffrage rights and of how to overcome possible barriers to exercising them;
• Greater awareness and use of a variety of available national and EU-level information resources on how to exercise voting rights, how to make informed electoral decisions and on other opportunities of political engagement;
• Increased engagement in electoral conduct as polling staff, party agents or observers.

Agenda           

16:00 – 16:10  Welcome and introduction Election-Watch.EU

16:10 – 16:20  Setting the scene – “All the difference you can make when you use your vote”

• Rareș Voicu, Board Member of the European Youth Forum (EYF)

16:20 – 16:30: Questions and Answers         

16:30 – 16:50: Showcasing engagement options for a young generation of voters

• Ana Valiente (Youth Outreach Unit European Parliament): How to engage young voters
• Hendrik Nahr (Head of European Affairs,org & Co-Coordinator of EurHope): European political parties’ positions exploration tool
• Veronika Hincova Frankovska (Project Manager at Demagog.SK): Youth debunking election-related disinformation
• SEEEDS / Election-Watch.EU Videos and Q&A

16:50 – 17:10  Questions and Answers                      

17:10 – 17:15  Conclusions and Closing Remarks

Moderators:   Michael Lidauer & Tatyana Hilscher-Bogussevich, Election-Watch.EU

Baseline:

• How many young and first-time voters are there in the EU?
• What are existing barriers for their political participation?
• What are tools to enhance young voters’ interest and knowledge to participate?

Focus:

• Information portals and helplines for young voters
• Infographics and easy to read/disseminate voter information materials
• How to reach those who are not informed and do not have an interest in politics

Questions to discuss:

• Why is it important to vote in the EP elections?
• What is the impact of your vote?
• How can you hold your party/candidate/MEP accountable?
• Apart from voting and standing, what are other ways of getting involved in the elections?

Q&A:   Zoom Q&A function, advance consultation for questions

#useyourvote, 2024 EP elections, EP elections 2024, inclusion in elections, youth in elections, youth participation