
First steps towards active civic participation: Classmates teach classmates about “EU and European Institutions”
During the period of February and March 2024, the students of the Amalipe network actively participated in the initiative for young trainers. Passionate about sharing their knowledge, they committed themselves to the role of trainers and encouraged their peers to learn about the subject of the European Union and its institutions. Pupils provided information and explanations about key aspects of European institutions. Their commitment and dedication to encouraging their classmates contributed significantly to the success of the initiative.
With the help of the young trainers, the students had the opportunity to better understand the structure and functioning of the EU, as well as the importance of European institutions for modern society. Their efforts not only encouraged learning and the exchange of knowledge, but also helped form a more civic and European orientation among the younger generation. The Young Educators Initiative not only stimulated students’ interest in European issues, but also provided them with valuable communication, leadership and learning skills. It also strengthened solidarity and cooperation in the Amalipe educational community, underscoring the importance of education in shaping the future of Europe.
Within the initiative of the “Amalipe” Center, students played a key role in conducting training on the topic “EU and European institutions”. The students’ participation in the initiative of the Amalipe Center was not only an act of commitment, but also an opportunity for them to become catalysts of knowledge and understanding of the European Union and its institutions. Young people from different schools of the Amalipe network took on the role of trainers, providing their classmates with valuable information and perspectives on European integration and the functioning of the EU. Their enthusiasm and devotion to the educational process created a favorable environment for learning and developing the knowledge of young people. They engaged as trainers and used educational materials specially developed by the Amalipe Center to provide quality training to hundreds of their peers.
With their innovation, the students built interactive lessons that included games, discussions and case studies, aiming to provide further understanding of the complex aspects of European integration. Their presentations were not only informative but also inspiring, engaging the attention and participation of the audience, which further aided the successful transfer of knowledge.
The result of the efforts of the students and the Amalipe Center was impressive – hundreds of young people were trained and inspired to explore more deeply the issues of European integration and the participation of their countries in the process. In addition to learning key concepts and institutions of the European Union, students also focused on the importance of active civic participation. They encouraged their colleagues to see themselves as part of the larger European community and to engage in dialogue about the future of the EU.
See below how some of the trainings took place:
In Secondary School “C. Bakalov Tserkovski”, Nikola Kozlevo, the young trainer Ayshe Bilyal conducted the training with the help of the school’s ombudsman, Yusuf Jelil. Initially, 11A and 11B chose rules to follow during the session. After that, the so-called “Brainstorming” was done, where the students shared their first thoughts when they hear about the EU. They were divided into two groups – the “Famous” and the “Stars”. As the task of the “Famous” was to select the most important information about the “Council of Europe”, and the “Stars” about the “European Union”. The two groups performed and presented their work while also learning the most important things about the EU and its institutions.
The students from the Vocational School of Clothing and Design “Euridika” participated in the new initiative of the “Amalipe” Center, through which the students supplemented their knowledge about the structure of the EU, the role of the institutions, as well as how the relevant institutions influence our daily life.
Vocational High School of Agriculture and Food Technology, Shumen
The young trainer Plamen Greshkov divided the students into three groups, each group having a given topic to tell the most important thing related to it. The topics were the European Union, the European Commission and the European Council.
“Georgi Stoykov Rakovski” Secondary School, Kotel
David Topalov, Valery Boydev and Ranko Rankov discussed with their peers how important the EU is, why it was created and how important it is for the peace and stability of our country. The trainers divided their peers into 3 groups and then gave them a task after the lesson.
Professional high school of agriculture, Suvorovo
Petya Ivanova, Denislava Stoyanova, Georgi Georgiev and Todor Georgiev helped their classmates to supplement their knowledge about the structure of the EU, the role of the institutions and how the respective institutions influence our daily life.
With an interesting presentation, quiz and discussion of various issues, the attention of the students of the Professional High School of Agriculture was attracted by the young trainers Noah Ashikyan, Maria Vasileva and Angela Asenova.
Professional high school of light industry, ecology and chemical technologies, Yambol
The trainers discussed with their peers the topic of the European Parliament, the European Commission and how the European Union functions. An important highlight of the training was the promotion of youth and vulnerable groups in the European Parliament elections. During the meeting between the trainers and their peers, interactive game-based methods for teamwork, successful communication and cultural values were offered.
In Professional High School of Agriculture “Kliment Ark. Timiryazev”, Kavarna, the young people conducted training on the topic: “European Union and European Institutions”. The students discussed the institutions and the functions they perform, then played a game about the values, rights and laws operating in the EU.
Vocational High School of Agriculture, Novi Pazar
Stoyan Georgiev conducted training on “European Institutions”. He presented his classmates with the most important information about the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Union. Stoyan was able to share his personal impressions from his recent visit to Brussels, through the Amalipe Center. The young trainer encouraged the young people present to participate in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
United School “P. R. Slaveikov”, Dzhulyunitsa village
The President of the Student Parliament Monika Stancheva conducted the training on the topic “EU and European institutions”, presenting to her classmates the most important information about the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Union. The students discussed the values of the EU, the institutions and the functions they perform.
Lyuben Karavelov Secondary School, Varna
Eliza Naydenova, Melis Hristova and Benai Mehmed trained their peers. Eliza Naydenova told the 10th and 11th grade students about her visit to Brussels. After that, an interesting game was used to test the knowledge of the attendees about the European institutions.
United School “Hristo Botev”, Dalgo Pole
The young trainers Plamena Tonova and Simona Bilyalova conducted training for their classmates using the informational materials developed by the Amalipe Center.
Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, the village of Kovachevo
With a lot of mood and positive emotions, the young trainers presented the most important information about the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Union. They used the brainstorming method, challenged their peers with a quiz related to the topic, dividing them into teams. The game “United in diversity” caused the greatest interest, in which the two teams answered questions about their rights and obligations as citizens of the European Union. The participants increased their competences, had fun and created new friendships.
“Elisaveta Bagryana” Vocational High School for Clothing, Byala Slatina
The young trainers presented the most important information on the topic, after which they held a discussion with their peers.
United School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Kravoder
The students discussed the EU and the European institutions, as well as their functions. They understood the importance of being civically active, but also motivated to exercise their voice in the context of the upcoming European Parliament elections.
The collages below show the desire of students to be civically active, as well as the first steps of young educators to be motivators of their peers.
The initiative is part of the project “EMPOWEREU: Fostering participation of youth and vulnerable groups in the EU elections” funded by the European Parliament. The authors are fully responsible for the content of the episode and the European Parliament is not responsible for the use of the information therein.