As part of the Citizens’ Engagement Activities (CEAs) under the IVY initiative, Julia hosted “Youth for European Cities: Urban Cooperation in EU Cohesion Policy”—a hands-on event designed to bring the goals of Cohesion Policy closer to the next generation.
Held in a Parisian school, the CEA welcomed 45 participants, most of whom had little prior knowledge of the EU or its cohesion strategy. Through a creative mix of discussion, poster-making, and case studies from the URBACT programme, students were introduced to the real-world value of EU-funded cooperation between cities.
The event demonstrated how urban challenges like mobility, night-time safety, and public space management are tackled through collaborative solutions across Europe. By drawing connections between Paris and their hometowns, the students began to understand—not just in theory, but in practice—how ideas can travel across borders and improve lives.
“Even with a young audience that doesn’t know much about EU policies it still worked to get them to engage” Julia noted. “In the end, they were basically doing urban cooperation without even realising it.”
Julia was joined by two colleagues from URBACT, whose presence brought an extra layer of authenticity and energy to the session. Their joint effort helped demystify Cohesion Policy, turning policy talk into something accessible.
Reflections with the teachers underscored a key success: making EU policy feel real. Creating memorable, meaningful experience—proof that strong engagement just the right approach.
This CEA showed that young people can connect with Europe—especially when we meet them where they are, speak their language, and let them co-create the conversation.
