Project Democratic Responsibility and Citizenship Participation in Europe – Docpie It is part of the Europe for Citizens program and is co-financed by the European Union through the Europe for Citizens program.
The project took place from January 30, 2015 to October 30, 2015, no. The decision is 2014-2796/001-001.
The Europe for Citizens program, for the period between 2014-2020, is an important instrument for obtaining 500 million inhabitants of the European Union, which play an important role in the development of the Union. Through funding schemes and various activities in which citizens can participate, the program promotes common European history and values, while at the same time promoting a sense of the way the European Union is developed.
The general characteristics of the Europe for Citizens program are:
- equal access
- trans citizenship and local proportions
- intercultural dialogue
- Volunteering – an expression of active
The program is implemented through two areas:
Lot 1: European Memory: Memory Awareness, Common History and Values, and Union Goals
Lot 2: Democratic action and civic participation: promoting democratic and civic participation of citizens at Union level.
The DOCPIE project falls under the 2nd area of operation; Measures in this area are:
- the twinning of mes
- Networking places
- a civil society project
Project goals
DOCPIE connects 13 European countries that will discuss, work and provide the necessary information with the aim of creating a common future for the European Union. The main goal of the project is to increase the level of awareness of European citizenship, European identity, the necessity of participation in European electoral procedures and the necessity of developing networks and operating strategies, with the aim of increasing the influence of the European Union.
In order to achieve the set goals, the DOCPIE project focuses on improving mutual cultural understanding and intercultural dialogue, through the research of the concepts of European identity, European history, European modern democracy, as well as through the characteristics of active citizenship in an inclusive society.
After a recent study conducted by the Jacques Delors Institute, voter turnout in European elections fell by 19 points in 30 years. Such a drop in voter turnout can be explained by both exogenous and endogenous causes, which indicate that the ‘civil deficit’ is detected by institutions and citizens in relation to the Union. This lack of civic bond between citizens is a trend that has been further strengthened by the financial crisis. Distrust in EU policies, strategies and measures is increasing. The DOCPIE project focuses on low public interest in EU policy. It also focuses on democratic procedures and deals separately with the elements necessary for democratic participation: more education about the EU, promotion of active citizenship and European identity.
With the aim of discovering the cause of voter non-participation and lack of interest in European politics, DoCpie investigates the perceived role of European citizenship and European identity in the lives of groups of people with different backgrounds. From students to senior citizens, participants are invited to exchange their views and express their dreams and hopes for the future of Europe. The most important thing is that all these groups feel that they can shape the future of Europe.
Project activities:
The following international events took place as part of the DOCPIE project:
1. Preparatory activities:: First meeting (kick-off meeting)
Host: P3, Kistarcsa Város Önkormányzata
Venue: Kistarcsa, Hungary
Date: February 6-7, 2015
2. Event no. 1: Volunteer Academy
Host: P7, Jugend-& Kulturproject e.V.
Venue: Dresden, Germany
Date: May 8-10, 2015
3. Event no. 2: Promotion of European regions
Host: P10, Municipality of Serres & P9, Club UNESCO Serres
Venue: Serres, Greece
Date: June 30 – July 2, 2015
4. Event no. 3: Civil Society Open University
Host: P1, Rural Development Society LAZ
Venue: Šmartno pri Litija, Slovenia
Date: September 24, 2015
5. Event no. 4: Awareness of European identity in the third period of life (final meeting & evaluation)
Host: P12, Municipality of Brescia
Venue: Brescia, Italy
Date: 8-10. October, 2015
Four events (in Germany, Greece, Slovenia and Italy) organized as part of the project were more than 800 inhabitants of Europe from more than 13 countries. local events in the project’s partner countries were attended by more than 1200 citizens. All events focused on the various possibilities of active civic inclusion and participation in all periods of life. With the help of an online survey, which was translated into the languages of 13 European countries, we also collected through 1000 opinions of European citizens. You can read a short summary of the project here and and you look video.