Understarding and Mobilising Youth, Greece, Komotini, 3 February 2026
- Tessy Melidi
- Feb 8
- 4 min read
On 3 February 2026, the event “Understanding and Mobilising Youth” took place at the Municipal Library of Komotini, Greece, within the framework of the ProVote initiative under the CERV Programme. The event brought together more than 55 youth workers, local authority representatives, civil society organisations and young people to exchange perspectives on how to strengthen youth participation in democratic processes at local, national and European level. The event was hosted by System and G.
In the opening session, Nicolas Reynès, Coordinator of Partenalia, underlined the strategic importance of the ProVote programme in the current European context. He highlighted that declining trust and participation among young voters represent a structural challenge for European democracy, stressing that ProVote responds to this challenge by combining local action with European cooperation. As he stated, “ProVote is not only about increasing voter turnout; it is about rebuilding democratic confidence by empowering young people to understand, experience and shape democratic processes in their own communities.”
Tessy Melidi, Coordinator of the project, presented the ProVote initiative and its broader European architecture, emphasising its multi-level and inclusive approach. Drawing on the project’s four pillars - international events, local workshops, the Citizens’ Engagement Academy and communication campaigns - she stressed the importance of addressing participation gaps among young people, women, marginalised communities, rural populations and EU mobile citizens. As she noted, “ProVote recognises that participation gaps are not accidental. They are structural, and they require long-term, targeted solutions that combine education, innovation and local ownership.” She further highlighted the role of the Citizens’ Engagement Academy as a sustainable open-access resource that will remain available to citizens and organisations beyond the project’s lifetime.
The core of the event consisted of parallel workshops exploring practical tools to enhance youth participation in democratic processes. In the workshop on virtual reality, participants reflected on the value of immersive learning for civic education. The facilitator emphasised that experiential tools can help young people better understand democratic institutions and decision-making processes. One participant commented that “using virtual reality makes democracy feel tangible and accessible, especially for young people who feel disconnected from traditional political formats.”
The workshop on youth centres as hubs for democratic participation focused on the role of local spaces in fostering dialogue, volunteering and civic engagement. Speakers highlighted that youth centres can function as bridges between institutions and young citizens. A participant noted that “youth centres are trusted environments, when democracy is discussed there, participation feels safe, informal and meaningful.”
During the workshop on debates as a method to promote youth participation, participants explored how structured dialogue can strengthen critical thinking and democratic skills. The facilitator highlighted debates as a tool not only for expressing opinions, but also for learning to listen and engage respectfully with opposing views. One participant shared that “debates help young people realise that disagreement is part of democracy, not a threat to it.”
The workshop on artificial intelligence examined how digital tools can support youth engagement when used ethically and transparently. The discussion highlighted AI’s potential to personalise information, counter disinformation and support outreach strategies. A participant remarked that “AI should not replace participation, but it can help young people navigate complex political information and feel more confident about engaging.”
The afternoon panel discussion brought together representatives from local government, youth work and academic networks, including the ELSA Komotini. Panelists reflected on the need to move beyond symbolic participation towards genuine youth involvement in decision-making processes. One panelist emphasised that “young people do not disengage because they are apathetic, but because they often feel unheard.” Another highlighted that local authorities play a crucial role in creating institutional pathways for youth voices to translate into policy impact.
In the concluding session, Apostolos Alexiadis, facilitator of the event and Project Manager at System and G, and Nicolas Reynès, Coordinator of Partenalia, presented key insights from the interactive quiz and survey conducted across ProVote partner countries. Apostolos underlined that the results confirm both strong democratic commitment and persistent barriers to participation. As he explained, “Young people across Europe consistently say that European elections matter, yet many still feel their vote does not make a difference. This gap between belief and action is where our work must focus.”
The survey results showed that a majority of respondents consider European elections very important for their daily lives, while support for transnational candidate lists was strongly linked to the idea of strengthening a shared European identity. At the same time, respondents reported that political discussions take place only occasionally, and that access to clear, youth-relevant information is the single most important factor for increasing participation. Education-based initiatives, particularly in schools and universities, were identified as the most effective way to encourage youth voting, while the perception that “my vote doesn’t matter” emerged as the strongest discouraging factor across countries.
Overall, the event demonstrated that youth participation is most effective when democratic engagement is local, experiential and supported by trusted intermediaries such as youth workers and community spaces. By combining evidence-based insights, innovative tools and cross-sector dialogue, “Understanding and Mobilising Youth” contributed to strengthening local capacities, fostering mutual learning and advancing the objectives of the ProVote initiative to support a more inclusive and resilient European democracy.
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