Update: 09 March 2019
The aim of this project is to motivate the #ErasmusGeneration to go to vote for the European elections, which will take place between 23 and 26 May 2019, by explaining - country by country - the procedure they need to follow.
The aim of this project is to motivate the #ErasmusGeneration to go to vote for the European elections, which will take place between 23 and 26 May 2019, by explaining - country by country - the procedure they need to follow.
The project includes:
- A call for Erasmus Ambassadors, one per EU country. (closed)
- A training event at the European Parliament for appointed ambassadors.
- A collection of national regulations on how to vote from abroad.
- National events in EU countries (COMING SOON!).
- Recommendations to the newly Elected European Parliament.
- Evaluation and follow up phase.
Join the campaign and persuade others to do so: http://ttimv.eu/gE19
Why this project?
Statistics show that during the EP Elections in 1979, 62% of EU citizens voted. Since then, the turnout had experienced a substantial decrease, despite the minute rise of 0,9% in 2014. Citizens not going to the polls are mostly people lacking education, unemployed, under 35 - over 65 or coming from underrepresented countries.
In 2013, the Erasmus Voting Assessment project has been launched with the aim of investigating through scientific research across Europe the voting behaviour of Erasmus students in the European Elections. The study evaluated the impact of the ERASMUS programme on students' European citizenship and participation in democratic processes.
35% of the EVA respondents that have an ‘Erasmus experience' (as opposed to respondents who have not studied abroad) believe that participation in the Erasmus programme has made them more interested in and willing to vote in the EP elections. The problem we identified is that most of the students are not informed on HOW they should vote, the deadlines for the bureaucracy to vote from abroad (in 2014 lots were not able to exercise their right). There is not (yet) a European regulation on this matter and, so far, the most active European citizens could be prevented from voting.
The Eurobarometer Survey "Democracy on the move - One year before the 2019 European Elections" shows that half of Europeans are interested in the EU elections and people cite the fight against terrorism (49%), youth unemployment (48%), immigration (45%), economy and growth (42%) as their priorities for the election campaign.
For all these reasons the project aims to foster European citizenship and promote the European Parliament as the only European Institution democratically elected by the citizens. With this project, we will have a particular focus on the Erasmus Generation (current and alumni), being - among all the target groups - the most pro-European and interested in issues such as youth unemployment, economy and growth but - at the same time - facing problems to vote while abroad.
The Erasmus Generation comprehends different parts of society (students, professionals, unemployed, etc) but they are all linked by an experience abroad. They saw Europe at its best and they can properly be Ambassadors of the EE19.
Specifically, the project will contribute to Erasmus' understanding of the Union policy-making process and encouraging democratic engagement by establishing a closer link with what the EU does and presenting the European elections as an opportunity not to miss the get their voice heard. This project will allow them to get information on how to vote from abroad during their mobility or stay abroad and to get a basic knowledge of EU policies and priorities. In this way, we will reach also d those that are too lazy to get information on the voting procedure.
We will select one Erasmus Ambassador from each EU Member State and, after a training event to be held in Brussels at the European Parliament, we will assist the Ambassador to organise one event in the country where he/she is for mobility, with the assistance of our Partner Universities, local associations and Foundations Members. Online and offline communication will be going on in a coordinated way.
The final aim of the project will be to push the newly elected European Parliament to adopt a harmonised legislation on European Elections, valid in all Member States.
Statistics show that during the EP Elections in 1979, 62% of EU citizens voted. Since then, the turnout had experienced a substantial decrease, despite the minute rise of 0,9% in 2014. Citizens not going to the polls are mostly people lacking education, unemployed, under 35 - over 65 or coming from underrepresented countries.
In 2013, the Erasmus Voting Assessment project has been launched with the aim of investigating through scientific research across Europe the voting behaviour of Erasmus students in the European Elections. The study evaluated the impact of the ERASMUS programme on students' European citizenship and participation in democratic processes.
35% of the EVA respondents that have an ‘Erasmus experience' (as opposed to respondents who have not studied abroad) believe that participation in the Erasmus programme has made them more interested in and willing to vote in the EP elections. The problem we identified is that most of the students are not informed on HOW they should vote, the deadlines for the bureaucracy to vote from abroad (in 2014 lots were not able to exercise their right). There is not (yet) a European regulation on this matter and, so far, the most active European citizens could be prevented from voting.
The Eurobarometer Survey "Democracy on the move - One year before the 2019 European Elections" shows that half of Europeans are interested in the EU elections and people cite the fight against terrorism (49%), youth unemployment (48%), immigration (45%), economy and growth (42%) as their priorities for the election campaign.
For all these reasons the project aims to foster European citizenship and promote the European Parliament as the only European Institution democratically elected by the citizens. With this project, we will have a particular focus on the Erasmus Generation (current and alumni), being - among all the target groups - the most pro-European and interested in issues such as youth unemployment, economy and growth but - at the same time - facing problems to vote while abroad.
The Erasmus Generation comprehends different parts of society (students, professionals, unemployed, etc) but they are all linked by an experience abroad. They saw Europe at its best and they can properly be Ambassadors of the EE19.
Specifically, the project will contribute to Erasmus' understanding of the Union policy-making process and encouraging democratic engagement by establishing a closer link with what the EU does and presenting the European elections as an opportunity not to miss the get their voice heard. This project will allow them to get information on how to vote from abroad during their mobility or stay abroad and to get a basic knowledge of EU policies and priorities. In this way, we will reach also d those that are too lazy to get information on the voting procedure.
We will select one Erasmus Ambassador from each EU Member State and, after a training event to be held in Brussels at the European Parliament, we will assist the Ambassador to organise one event in the country where he/she is for mobility, with the assistance of our Partner Universities, local associations and Foundations Members. Online and offline communication will be going on in a coordinated way.
The final aim of the project will be to push the newly elected European Parliament to adopt a harmonised legislation on European Elections, valid in all Member States.
"This Time I'm voting"
The European elections will take place between 23 and 26 May 2019. In the run up to this event, the European Parliament has started building an online community of supporters for the cause of voting. The idea is to engage people in convincing others about the importance of the elections and the need to take responsibility. More information: https://www.thistimeimvoting.eu
The European elections will take place between 23 and 26 May 2019. In the run up to this event, the European Parliament has started building an online community of supporters for the cause of voting. The idea is to engage people in convincing others about the importance of the elections and the need to take responsibility. More information: https://www.thistimeimvoting.eu
