From the 28th to the 30th of June, Europiamo hosted Toolfair 2024 in Turin, Italy – an engaging networking event focused on Youth Participation in Organisations. The event formed part of the Connect4Impact project, a small-scale Erasmus+ partnership between Projekta Malta and Europiamo ETS (Italy). Connect4Impact aims to strengthen collaboration among youth organisations and promote meaningful opportunities for young people to take part in European and local initiatives.
The Toolfair brought together representatives from a range of youth-focused organisations to exchange ideas, tools, and experiences related to youth engagement, inclusion, and participation. Using a dynamic “unconference” model, participants could take the lead as facilitators, sharing their best practices on how to make youth involvement more inclusive and impactful.
This article explores the main topics discussed – from access to European programmes to creative approaches like theatre and circus arts — all centred on one key question: how can organisations make youth participation more meaningful and accessible?
Youth Participation in Malta and Italy
The discussion opened with a comparative look at youth participation in Malta and Italy, two countries united by a strong commitment to giving young people a voice in shaping their communities. Participants reflected on the progress made in both contexts – from youth councils and community initiatives to Erasmus+ projects – while also recognising common challenges such as limited resources and the need for stronger local engagement.
This conversation directly aligns with Connect4Impact’s mission to create a vibrant network of youth organisations in both countries, encouraging shared learning and collaboration.
Access to Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps
A central part of the discussion focused on access to Erasmus+ Youth Sector and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) – two key EU programmes driving youth participation across Europe. These initiatives provide life-changing opportunities for learning, volunteering, and personal growth.
Participants exchanged insights on how to make these programmes more accessible to young people from diverse backgrounds, especially those who might not yet see themselves as “European participants”. Sharing real experiences helped highlight both the opportunities and the everyday challenges youth workers face when engaging young people and families in these programmes.
Youth Perspectives from a Small Island Context
Projekta Malta contributed to the discussion by presenting the findings of their recent survey exploring the needs and aspirations of young people living on a small island, as well as the challenges faced by youth organisations in Malta. The presentation highlighted how limited resources, overlapping initiatives, and a lack of structured collaboration can often make it difficult for organisations to reach and engage young people effectively. Projekta stressed the importance of building stronger connections among organisations, both locally and internationally, to share tools, amplify impact, and create more opportunities for youth involvement. Their insights resonated with many participants, particularly in smaller communities where cooperation can transform isolated efforts into sustainable, community-driven change.
Tools from Strategic National Agencies Cooperation
By Europiamo
Europiamo presented several European initiatives that support youth participation through national agency collaboration:
- Europe Goes Local – Strengthening the role of youth work at municipal level and helping local authorities design effective youth policies.
- New Power in Youth – Empowering young people to take leadership roles and engage in democratic processes.
- Democracy Reloading – Enhancing municipalities’ capacity to involve youth in decision-making and governance.
These tools perfectly reflect Connect4Impact’s wider vision of linking national strategies with local action, ensuring young voices influence decisions at every level.
Youth Participation at Local Level
By YEPP Italia
After exploring the European perspective, attention turned to the local level – where youth participation truly takes root. Participants discussed the importance of sustainability, responsibility, and facilitation in youth work. Local councils, youth clubs, and community groups were identified as crucial spaces for enabling young people to shape their environment and take ownership of change.
Youth Engagement through Theatre and Circus
A highlight of the event was exploring creative methods for youth engagement through theatre and circus arts. These non-formal learning tools encourage self-expression, teamwork, and confidence – while also sparking discussions around social inclusion.
Through performance and creativity, young people can explore personal and collective challenges, develop empathy, and strengthen their ability to collaborate — all core elements of meaningful youth participation.
Open Badges: Recognising Non-Formal Learning Competencies
The final session focused on recognising skills gained through non-formal learning. Open Badges were presented as a digital tool to validate competencies developed outside traditional education – such as leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Participants designed their own badge “playlists”, which they could later implement in their youth work. This practical exercise resonated with Connect4Impact’s goal of helping young people and organisations highlight the real value of volunteering and informal learning.
Strengthening Networks through Connect4Impact
Beyond the workshops and presentations, Toolfair 2024 was a key moment for Connect4Impact — strengthening the partnership between Europiamo ETS and Projekta Malta, and expanding the European network of youth organisations dedicated to participation and social impact.
Through events like this, the project continues to build a lasting community of practice where youth workers, educators, and organisations can collaborate, innovate, and share tools that make youth participation stronger — both in Malta, Italy, and beyond.
