Project Overview
The project titled “Youth Participation in Digital Democracy: From Digital Skills to Digital Rights of Youth with Fewer Opportunities in the Western Balkans” (acronym: EYDR) is a vital initiative aimed at enhancing the digital engagement and rights of young people, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds in Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and Spain. Coordinated by the SCiDEV Center for Science and Innovation for Development and funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Youth program, the project has a budget of EUR 300,000 and will run from November 1, 2023, to November 1, 2025.
Context and Rationale
The Western Balkans (WB6) economies have made notable strides in establishing their youth policy frameworks, adopting relevant laws, strategies, and action plans. However, there remains a significant gap in developing a fully functional youth system that ensures effective youth empowerment, engagement, and participation in decision-making processes. While there are positive aspects, such as the consultation processes involved in developing youth laws, weaknesses persist. These include broader political challenges, a lack of prioritization of youth across sectors, and difficulties in systematic monitoring and evaluation of youth policy development and implementation. Although youth legal and policy frameworks in these economies recognize the importance of youth participation, only Serbia has established a consolidated system for youth representation and participation in policy-making. This context underscores the need for initiatives like EYDR that aim to bolster youth engagement in digital democracy.
Objectives
The EYDR project seeks to empower youth by enhancing their digital skills and raising awareness of their digital rights. By focusing on young individuals with fewer opportunities, the project aims to create pathways for effective engagement in digital democracy. The initiative is built on three strategic objectives:
- SO1: Promote networking, peer-to-peer support, and the exchange of good practices between organizations working with youth in Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and Spain in the field of youth participation in digital democracy.
- SO2: Raise awareness among stakeholders—including public authorities, academia, civil society, and the public—about youth digital skills, literacies, and rights through innovative alliances with media, educational institutions, and public authorities.
- SO3: Encourage policy dialogue among youth, organizations, and public authorities regarding youth participation in digital democracy through digital skills and rights advocacy.
Activities and Implementation
The project will involve a comprehensive mapping of youth participation in digital democracy, providing a knowledge resource that can be updated and utilized by participating organizations for future youth initiatives. The Accelerator Programme will offer capacity building and learning opportunities, equipping participants with vital competencies for the post-COVID-19 landscape, including digital literacies, resilience, life skills, and environmental awareness. Moreover, the EYDR project will raise awareness among stakeholders through various initiatives, such as Digital Youth Rights Talks and Digital Rights Campaigns, fostering a broader public understanding of the significance of youth participation in digital democracy.
Expected Impact and Sustainability
The expected outcomes of the EYDR project will have a direct and lasting impact on participating organizations and youth participants, promoting greater inclusion and empowerment in digital decision-making. The knowledge gained will be essential for advocating youth rights and participation in the digital landscape, ultimately contributing to the development of a more equitable digital democracy in the Western Balkans. Additionally, the project aims to expand its results to other countries in the region and will collaborate with entities such as the Regional Youth Cooperation Office and the Regional Cooperation Council to propose a regional initiative on youth and digital democracy as a sustainable follow-up to the project. Through these efforts, EYDR aspires to create a robust framework for digital rights and democracy for youth across the Western Balkans. 