From April 10th to 12th, 2024, partners of the “NOTE” project – active citizens, local authorities, and civil society organizations from 11 European Union member states, including representatives from the Kurzeme Planning Region of Latvia, gathered in the Romanian city of Brașov for the concluding conference of the project, titled “NOTEs from the youth.” The meeting aimed to reflect on the progress made within the project and what still needs to be accomplished, with the goal of promoting free, informed-choice elections in Europe.
The work at the conference unfolded in several sessions, inaugurated with an address by the Brașov municipal leadership, expressing delight in hosting guests in their beautiful city nestled in Romania’s Transylvania region. Emphasized in the address was the significant opportunity for representation within the European Union and the European Parliament, engaging in addressing various crucial matters for the future of Europe.
In the subsequent sessions, each project partner shared insights into the activities undertaken within the framework of “NOTE” in their respective countries. Aija Neilande, the project manager in Latvia from the Kurzeme Planning Region, informed the attendees about activities such as Street Debates held in Kurzeme, meetings with young people to gauge their knowledge and educate them about the European Parliament and its elections, collaboration with the youth multimedia studio “Frekvence” to create podcasts, as well as other activities and active participation in events organized by other project partners.
In the third session, conference participants had the opportunity to discuss with Mrs. Suzana Carp, a European Climate Policy Specialist, and Mr. Viktor Ilie, Member of the Assembly of the Deputies of Romania, regarding the role and importance of municipalities and non-governmental organizations in European elections. Mrs. Suzana Carp focused on the importance of climate and environmental issues in the context of the European Union, while Mr. Victor Ilie emphasized the need for municipalities to more actively inform about the support provided by the European Union to local communities, including education about the European Union and its governance.
In the fourth session, one of the project partners, the “ECIT Foundation,” shared its experience in educating and engaging people in the decision-making processes of the European Union. The ECIT Foundation is an independent, international non-governmental organization based in Brussels, Belgium, focusing on European citizenship and its development.
In the final session, conference participants delved further into the podcasts produced within the framework of the “NOTE” project, sharing their experiences in their creation and learning about the experiences of other countries.
At the end of the conference, in an engaging manner, the partners of the “NOTE” project had the opportunity to explore the beauty of Brașov’s Old Town through interactive game, acquainting themselves with its historical sites and buildings constructed in various architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Baroque and Renaissance. Situated in a valley between the Carpathian Mountains, the city offers a captivating and picturesque environment. The visit included a stroll through Brașov’s narrowest street, known as “Strada Sforii” in Romanian, measuring just 1.32 meters wide, making it one of the narrowest streets in Europe. Additionally, participants visited numerous historical landmarks such as the Black Church, one of the largest Gothic churches in Eastern Europe, and the White Tower, offering a magnificent view of Brașov’s red-tiled roofs and tower spires.
Event Description Sheet:
Event Description Sheet, soon to be addedThe event was financed by Europe Union. “NOTE” stands for the “Network of Organizations and Towns for the European Elections”. It is an initiative from 11 EU Member States in the framework of the programme CERV. We represent citizens, local governments and civil society organisations from: Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal, Croatia, Latvia, Spain, Lithuania, Belgium and Germany.
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