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?

CLRA is the methodology at the heart of YOUROPE. Rather than researching about young people, we research with them. We are giving communities the tools to identify what matters, design solutions, and drive action themselves. From university campuses to neighbourhood squares to policy chambers, CLRA ensures young people aren’t consulted as an afterthought. They’re in the driving seat.

Why CLRA?

Because traditional approaches to decision-making weren’t built with young people in mind, to the detriment of us all. CLRA flips that logic. Instead of solutions handed down from above, it builds them from the ground up, rooted in real experience and led by the people most affected.

In practice this means:

  • Young people own the process, not just participate in it
  • Trust between communities and policymakers is built, not assumed
  • Solutions reflect lived reality, not assumptions about it
  • Change is sustainable because it comes from within

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.