ABOUT YOUROPE

Visionary Roadmaps: Crafting an Inclusive and Participatory European Democracy with Youth and Communities (Youth for Europe / YOUROPE)

Introduce innovative methods to bring young people into decision-making.

Work with 6,300 community members to create local action plans.

Train and support young leaders to connect directly with European policymakers.

Test new ideas for participation in universities and communities.

Share results and create long-term strategies for change.

Community-Led Research and Action (CLRA)

What is CLRA?

Community-Led Research and Action (CLRA) is an innovative approach that gives young people and their communities the tools and space to identify issues that matter most to them, come up with solutions, and take meaningful action. It’s about making sure their voices are not just heard but lead real change in their universities, neighbourhoods, and even at the policymaking level.

Why are we using CLRA in YOUROPE?

YOUROPE uses CLRA because it directly involves the people who are most affected by the issues being tackled—in this case, young people and underrepresented communities. Traditional approaches to decision-making can feel distant or inaccessible, but CLRA flips the script: instead of decisions being made for people, this method ensures they’re made with them.

This approach fits YOUROPE’s mission perfectly because it:

  • Empowers young people by giving them ownership of the process.
  • Builds trust between communities and policymakers.
  • Ensures that solutions are grounded in real-life experiences.
  • Creates sustainable change that reflects the needs of diverse groups.

Objectives

Help (underrepresented) young people take part in democracy.

Build inclusive spaces where everyone can have their say.

Connect young people with decision-makers to influence real change.

Equip universities and communities with innovative approaches to foster democratic engagement.

Create action plans for fairer and better policies.

Values

Inclusivity

Making sure everyone’s voice counts.

Empowerment:

Giving people the tools to lead change.

Democratic participation:

Working together to shape decisions.

Fairness:

Creating systems that work for all communities.

Sustainability:

Building ideas that last into the future.