New Podcast Episode

How can we better understand youth engagement in today's society? And what helps young people feel that their voices matter?

These are some of the questions explored in the latest episode of Let's SPIC About It, where representatives from the ENGAGED Youth consortium discuss the project's vision, goals, and ambitions for the coming years.

Rather than focusing solely on declining trust in democracy or increasing political polarisation, the ENGAGED Youth project takes a different perspective. The project seeks to understand how young people can become active citizens, contribute to positive social change, and participate meaningfully in their communities.
As highlighted during the conversation:"

It's not what we tell young people to do in order to contribute. It is about what young people want to do to contribute."

This principle lies at the heart of ENGAGED Youth. Through Living Labs and other participatory activities, the project aims to work alongside young people, creating spaces where their experiences, ideas, and recommendations can help shape both research and policy. The podcast also explores several of the project's key themes, including:
- Youth participation and active citizenship
- Democracy, trust, and belonging
- Freedom and diversity
- Social and civic engagement
- The role of social media and digital environments in young people's lives

The researchers discuss the importance of listening to young people's own perspectives on these topics and ensuring that youth voices are represented in conversations about the future of democratic societies.

Another important aspect of the project is the development of recommendations for policymakers at local, national, and European levels. These recommendations will be informed not only by research findings but also by the experiences and ideas shared directly by young people throughout the project.

As one of the guests emphasised:

"To really listen to what young people find important – that is a key outcome of the project."

At ENGAGED Youth, we believe that young people are not simply the citizens of tomorrow—they are active members of society today. Understanding their perspectives, experiences, and aspirations is essential for building stronger, more inclusive democracies across Europe.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify and YouTube to learn more about the project and the conversations shaping ENGAGED Youth.