Funded by
Erasmus+, KA2
Information
- Length: 2024 - 2026
- Lead Partner: UngPuls - Linköping
- Members Involved: SERN; Bologna Municipality (IT)
- Priority Area: #InclusiveCommunities
Contacts
- ginevra.roli@sern.eu
- +39 3441183550
MIK - ON
Promoting the active participation of young people in democratic life
About the project
The MIK-ON project is rooted in the recognition of the critical role that young people play in shaping the future of society. As the next generation of leaders, it is essential to equip them with the skills and competencies necessary to actively participate in their communities and articulate their voices effectively within a democratic framework. This project specifically aims to empower youths from marginalised areas, enabling them to express their viewpoints and engage in both local and European democratic discourse.
These young individuals often face societal exclusion, growing up in segregated environments and grappling with stigmatization and poverty. By investing in these youths and enhancing their ability to express their ideas, MIK-On seeks to connect them with peers from other European countries, fostering a sense of belonging within a broader European context. This investment is crucial for today’s and tomorrow’s democracy and for the integration of marginalized citizens and the cultivation of a cohesive European identity.
In an era of rapid societal change, it is crucial for young people to develop the skills needed to navigate complex issues.
The project provides a platform for young participants to share their challenges and learn from the experiences of peers in another European country, helping them realise that they are not isolated in their struggles. This transnational experience is expected to empower them and enhance their sense of agency. Furthermore, the project aims to produce lasting outputs that will continue to benefit the participants and their communities even after its conclusion. By presenting their thoughts and creative works, participants will become advocates of important messages, rights, and empowerment, creating a ripple effect that will encourage their peers to reflect on and benefit from the project.
Objectives
The general objective of the project is to contribute to the active participation of young people (16-18 years old) from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in democratic life.
The specific objectives are:
- to strengthen young people’s personal, social, and citizenship competences by developing skills for effective participation,
for expressing their voice in different contexts through non-formal learning contents; - to develop and strengthen youth’s motivation and courage for active democratic participation by experiencing a sense of belonging and European identity.
Activities
The planned activities are:
- Workshop in Italy
- Laboratories in Sweden and Italy
- Exhibition in Sweden
- Final publication
- Dissemination event in Bologna
Bologna Kick-off Seminar
17–20 February 2025 | Bologna, Italy
The MIK-ON project officially kicked off in Bologna with a four-day seminar bringing together young people from Bologna (Italy) and Linköping (Sweden) to explore how to actively participate in democratic life.
A total of 22 participants aged 16–18 – 10 from Sweden and 12 from Italy – along with 10 youth workers took part in the activities, designed to encourage reflection, dialogue, and collaboration across borders.
The programme included:
– Team-building sessions
– Brainstorming workshops on democracy, participation, and identity
– Artistic activities to express shared concerns
During the discussions, one theme stood out: racism. Many participants had either experienced or witnessed discrimination in their daily lives. With the guidance of the local collective Collettivo Franco, they transformed their reflections into powerful posters conveying anti-racism messages, which were later displayed across the city of Bologna.
Laboratories in Sweden and Italy
How can local spaces become engines of youth participation and creativity?
With MIK-ON, we’re turning this question into practice.
Following the kick-off seminar in Bologna, the project continues with a series of local laboratories in both Sweden and Italy. In these labs, young people aged 16 to 18 meet regularly to deepen their reflections and co-create actions around key themes that emerged during the international meeting, including racism, identity, belonging, and active citizenship.
The laboratories are conceived as inclusive, hands-on spaces where participants can explore different forms of expression and produce messages for their communities through art, music, sport, and other creative tools.
In Bologna, the local lab focused on poster art as a means to address racism. Building on discussions from the February seminar, participants worked with Collettivo Franco to design and produce impactful posters conveying anti-racism messages. These posters were later displayed across the city, transforming public spaces into platforms for youth expression. A video produced by OfficinAdolescenti and Salaborsa Lab documents this experience, giving voice to the young people and their creative process.
