The 4Voices project aims to defend human rights, democracy, and the rule of law by deconstructing Europe’s diverse past with a gender-sensitive lens and critical thinking, and by imagining Europe’s futures to rebuild trust between people and politics.  

Through non-formal education and foresight methodology, 4Voices engages young people from different regions of Europe in a process of reflection and confrontation. The aim is to enable them to acknowledge historical periods and combat idealised narratives, with a focus on gender roles in both public and private spheres. This process is not limited to the past but is also projected into the future: through innovative methodologies, participants are invited to imagine new future scenarios for Europe, exploring paths that can strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law. 

A central aspect of the project is the direct listening to the emotions, fears, and aspirations of young people in Europe. Through moments of exchange and dialogue, their voices will be collected to formulate concrete policy recommendations that can respond to contemporary challenges. In this way, 4Voices not only offers a space for critical reflection on the past and present but also serves as a channel for dialogue between citizens and institutions, helping to rebuild trust between people and politics. 

The project includes the selection of 12 Youth Ambassadors, from different European countries, who will co-define strategies to restore the relationship of trust between citizens and institutions on human rights and democratic participation, starting from the deconstruction and decolonisation of dominant narratives through gender-based historical analysis and future-thinking techniques. They will play a key role in facilitating activities at the local and regional level to develop European policy recommendations. 

In a context where democratic values and human rights are increasingly under threat, the 4Voices project presents itself as a necessary initiative to involve young people and citizens in an active and conscious commitment to shaping Europe's future. 

Activities 

  • Futures Opening in Brussels: Launch event of the project gathering 80 young people from over 15 European countries. The event will feature speeches from experts, panel discussions, interactive sessions, and a foresight activity to explore new futures.  
  • Training in Italy on Foresight and Gender History: A two-day training for young people, with interactive sessions and group work to explore gender history and foresight, with a focus on co-designing the Futures Workshops to make them inclusive and youth-oriented. 
  • Training in Bulgaria on Workshop Facilitation and Drafting Policy Recommendations: A two-day training in Bulgaria, with interactive sessions and group work to develop skills in workshop facilitation and policy recommendation drafting, with a focus on co-designing the Futures Workshops.  
  • Futures Workshop in Romania: Navigating Transition: Post-Communist Era: The Futures Workshop in Romania will involve young people from Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary, and other Eastern European countries. The workshop will address the legacy of economic transitions from communist-era policies, the impact of EU integration, and the challenges related to national and regional identity in post-communist societies, and the application of foresight methodologies to envision the futures of Europe and its implications for the region. 
  • Futures Workshop in Italy: Bridges Over Time: EU Integration in Southern Europe: The Futures Workshop in Italy will involve young people from Southern European countries, including Italy, Portugal, Greece, and Spain. The workshop will delve into the socio-economic impacts of being part of the EU, and the application of foresight methodologies to envision the futures of Europe and its implications for the region.  
  • Futures Workshop in Serbia: At the Doorstep of the EU: The Futures Workshop in Serbia will involve young people from the Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, Kosovo, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other countries in the region. The workshop will explore the current challenges and opportunities for the Western Balkan countries, and the application of foresight methodologies to envision the futures of Europe and its implications for the region. 
  • Futures Workshop in Belgium: United in Diversity: The Futures Workshop in Belgium will bring together young people from Western European countries, including Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. The workshop will explore the socio-economic impacts of post-war reconstruction, current challenges, and opportunities for Western Europe, and the application of foresight methodologies to envision the futures of Europe and its implications for the region. 
  • Online Youth Exchanges on Europe’s Past, Presents and Futures: Online exchanges organized to foster dialogue and interaction among young people from different European countries, who will discuss the past and present of their countries and Europe. The series of exchanges will conclude with the involvement of policymakers and the drafting of policy recommendations.  
  • Futures Closing in Brussels: Weaving Europe’s Past into Futures: The final event in Brussels with young people from over 15 European countries, featuring interventions by experts and discussions on Europe’s history and future challenges. Interactive workshops will be organized where participants will use design thinking and foresight methodologies to develop new visions and solutions for Europe’s future.