SURVEY

Youth Perspectives on Citizenship and Democracy

As part of the YOUROPE project, we are inviting young people from across Europe to share their views and experiences on citizenship, democracy, participation, inclusion, and digital life.
 
This exploratory survey is an important first step in developing a youth-informed understanding of European citizenship and democracy. Rather than starting with predefined assumptions, we want to learn directly from young people in their own words. The survey combines open-ended and short reflective questions to capture diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and everyday understandings of democratic life.
 
The findings from this initial survey will help us:
  • develop a grassroots-informed theoretical framework on European citizenship and democracy
  • create a youth-centred EU Citizenship Toolkit
  • and build a future survey instrument grounded in young people’s own language, experiences, and priorities
This is therefore not a final evaluation survey, but part of a co-creation process that places youth voices at the centre of the research. The survey is anonymous, voluntary, and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Participants may skip any question they do not wish to answer.
 
Thank you for contributing to the YOUROPE project and helping shape new understandings of citizenship and democracy in Europe.

Please select the language in which you would like to participate in the survey. Once you select a language, you will be taken to the website with the survey in the selected language.

English

Czech

German

Polish

Finnish

Spanish

Ukrainian

Dutch

Turkish

D6 · Dimension

Digital Citizenship

Digital environments as civic and political space

KEY QUESTION
What does it mean to be a citizen online?
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
  • What do you do online that could influence others or public issues — even in small ways?
  • Do you feel that what you see online is shaped by algorithms or platforms? Can you give an example?
  • Where online do you feel like an active citizen — and where do you feel like just a user?

D5 · Dimension

Inclusion and Justice

Structural inequalities and intersecting identities

KEY QUESTION

Do you think everyone has equal opportunities to participate in society?

DISCUSSION PROMPTS
  • Who is often excluded or overlooked in your community — and why do you think that is?
  • What rules, habits, or systems make participation harder for some people than others?
  • What would need to change for participation to be fairer and more inclusive?

D4 · Dimension

Participation and Power

Procedural vs. substantive participation

KEY QUESTION

When does participation actually make a difference in your life?

DISCUSSION PROMPTS
  • Describe a situation where you participated — in a council, survey, protest, vote — but it led to no change. What did that feel like?
  • Where do you feel you genuinely have influence? At school, at home, online, in your city?
  • What is the difference between being asked for your opinion and actually having a say?

D3 · Dimension

European Citizenship

Europe as lived democratic space

KEY QUESTION
What does ‘Europe’ mean to you in your everyday life?
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
  • What does 'European Citizenship' mean to you? Describe it in a few words — or say what it doesn't mean to you.
  • Do you feel connected to Europe? Why, or why not?
  • What would need to change for Europe to feel more real or relevant to you?

D2 · Dimension

Youth Voice & Knowledge

Young people as knowers, not just learners

KEY QUESTION

Do you feel that young people’s voices and experiences are taken seriously?

DISCUSSION PROMPTS
  • Are there things you know or experience that are not taken seriously in school or in society?
  • When do you feel your opinion is genuinely valued — and when is it ignored?
  • Think of a moment when you were heard. What made that possible? And a moment when you weren't — what got in the way?