Next Step to Europe – Step 7

Published by Giannis Tsimperidis on

The European project “Next Step to Europe – Boosting Active Citizenship Among Youth in Small Cities,” with a duration of 18 months (June 2024 – November 2025), is now reaching its final stage and entering the process of disseminating its results.
The project was implemented in collaboration with the organizations ROE (Poland), IDEA Alzira (Spain), MOH (Italy), as well as the Greek Association “Innovative Actions in Education, Tourism, Health and Intercultural Dialogue” (KDETYD). It is part of the European Union’s CERV – Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values 2021–2027 programme.

Throughout the implementation of the project, particular emphasis was placed on educating young people about identifying and addressing misinformation and fake news online. Developing critical thinking, verifying sources, and using digital media responsibly were key pillars of the project, aiming to equip citizens with the necessary tools to face the challenges of modern information environments.
KDETYD continues to invest in democratic education and youth empowerment, ensuring that their voices remain informed, responsible, and active within today’s information society.

One of the most significant outcomes of the project is the substantial empowerment of young people as active citizens.
Participants gained confidence in engaging in public dialogue, developed collaboration and communication skills with peers from other countries, and became more familiar with European values and processes. Through the project’s activities, young people learned to participate actively in decision-making, express their views with evidence and clarity, and contribute to shaping their local communities. Furthermore, their exposure to an international environment broadened their horizons, strengthening their cultural understanding and motivating them to continue engaging in volunteer and civic initiatives.