As part of THE DYPALL project, young people were preparing for elections to the European Parliament

In April, the International Youth Exchange project “Youth Democracy Academy”, which was funded by THE European Union ERASMUS + programme, was held in Rēzekne municipality, which aimed to inform young people of the forthcoming elections of the European Parliament on 25 May. The project focuses on young people aged 17-20 who will participate in the European Parliament elections for the first time.
The project included young people from four countries - from Latvia, Romania, Greece and Spain, from each country to five participants. It was important for project leaders to create an environment and conditions that would enable young people to feel free and not afraid to express their thoughts and opinions in different themes. During the project, various informal learning methods were used, verbal and non-verbal activities, group work, video creation, presentations, discussions, association games, a study trip to Rēzekne municipality council, meetings with the youth affairs specialist Aivar Forestry, Education and Business Contact Points specialist Mayor Hartman and Sanita Zundu, as well as a trip to Maltas youth centre, as well as a simulation game that helped young people explore the diversity of opinions and the diversity of situations.
During the project, it was also possible to meet with one of the candidates of the European Parliament, Rēzekne District Council, Gunti Rasim. Young people were interested in preparing their questions for Guntim. These were the most diverse, ranging from reducing unemployment, Brexit, to globally important environmental, ecological, climate change issues. Young people were very interested in hearing Gunta's opinion on such important issues at European level.
The main task of the project was to involve young people in negotiations, discussions and creative activities on the forthcoming elections. Young people had the opportunity to create their own “parties” and vote for them, choosing the best; there was an opportunity to meet local people, promote the visibility of the project and promote European elections.
Young people also had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with Rēzekne and its cultural objects, but in order to make this process more interesting, they took part in an orientation play, which did not only look at cultural heritage and contemporary architecture, but also recognized the history of the city.
The week of this project was very fun, young people got new friends, met the peers from different European countries, the culture and traditions of these countries, and learned a lot of new information about Europe and the European elections.
Thank you very much to everyone involved in the implementation of this project, THE work group OF THE DYPALL network, the Rēzekne District Council, the project coordinators Janis Saudis and the Iveta Balzer, the project supporters Leila Rasimai and Julia Kirilov, the project leader Dacei Deksne and, of course, the guest house “green sala” on the excellent atmosphere, hospitality and the delicious food.
We also remind you: do not forget that the European elections should take part on 25 May, because Europe is you!
League Bistrova,
Rezekne municipality's youth affairs specialist,
DYPALL Project Coordinator