The Project
The Erasmus KA3 project “EYoS – European Youth on Stage” started in January 2020. Its aim is to include underrepresented young people by combining formal and informal learning in order to provide competences and to create multimedia products, social theatre and cinema performances, involving participants as actors, directors, technicians and creators. Eyos wanted to offer an informed knowledge and an active contribution to the European Youth Goals and future EU youth policies, with special attention to underrepresented groups, through peer-to-peer approach, digital multimedia and social civic theatre and cinema.
The Objective
Through a correct gender/ethnicity/culture approach, we gave voice to vulnerable youth groups and young citizens without citizenship rights, strengthening an intercultural dimension, with the aim of promoting an informed knowledge of Europe, making an active contribution to the European Youth Goals and future EU youth policies without leaving anyone behind.
Many young people, especially young people with fewer opportunities, are less informed and engaged about EU values and policies and, above all, less represented. Furthermore, some young people born or raised in Europe, despite being active and aware of their citizenship rights, are excluded from citizenship as foreigners or second-generation children.
Young people’s perceived distance from European institutions and decision-making processes is a common feature of young people in Europe, especially of underrepresented groups, undermining confidence in the reliability of the EU project. The complexity of youth engagement shows that effective actions require collaboration, shared learning and coordinated actions.
The Training
In preparation of the final performance, the Swedish youth group had a number of trainings on topics including the European Youth Goals. They learned about issues and common ideas that are discussed by young people throughout the EU and developed their own ideas about what it means to be a citizens of the European Union.
Topics that our group was most interested in were opportunities for young people to connect with the EU, fair quality employment, and spaces where young people can participate regardless of their cultural or personal backgrounds.
During the trainings the group also learned about film making, directing and storytelling which they put into practice for the final performance.
The youngsters decided to create a short film as their final performance to address the issues which they want to make known to decision-makers in Sweden and the EU.
Our Youth Group
The protagonists of the short film are 9 youngsters (supported by a trainer and creative director) between 18 and 24 years old. The story they tell reflects the group’s experiences as being citizens of the European Union with diverse cultural backgrounds. They share their ideas about the role that EU youth opportunities have played in their lives and the potential they see in sharing these experiences with other young people.
The youngsters have experienced how hard it can be as a young person to find a job with fair pay, especially when you don’t have a “typical Swedish” name on your resume. The motivation to start a first job can quickly turn into frustration and lead young people to question their capacities and role in life.
The young people from our group found that European youth opportunities to travel, meet peers from other countries and get out of their comfort zones can have a big impact on their lives. Positive experiences with other youngsters can help to see new opportunities, gain self-confidence and develop personal competences.
Who we are
The youngsters of our group and protagonists of the short film are
- Mohamed Ahmed Amin
- Mohamed Hammar
- Amir Muneer
- Naser Abdu Mohammed
- Abdulla Mahdy
- Mohammed Yusuf Dawud
- Anas Jahwash
- Khalid Alawi
- Ussama Fouad
- Zack Adam
Produced by Unigate Media
Directed by Solé Nilsson and Zack Adam
Follow us!
The short film of the Swedish Team is available here::
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Partnership:
- Rete ITER (Italy)
- GEA Coop Sociale (Italy)
- EU DIASPORA COUNCIL (Sweden)
- Društvo za razvijanje prostovoljnega dela Novo mesto – DRPDNM – (Association for Developing Voluntary Work Novo mesto) (Slovenia)
- Udruga za promicanje aktivnog građanstva – ECHO (Association for Promoting Active Citizenship – ECHO) (Croatia)
- Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V. (Germany)
- DYPALL NETWORK – Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Participação Cidadã (Portugal)
