CERV Connect towns to you

Participating towns and associations :

• Association Collectif pour un service civique europeen and the Municipality of Paris, France.
• Association BRAVO BiH and the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia
• Association FITT and the city of Timisoara, Romania
• Association Regional Center of Volunteering and the city of Warsaw, Poland

Project presentation:

The project aims to build a collaborative network between four key European cities - Paris, Sarajevo, Timișoara and Warsaw - with the participation of Bulgaria, focusing on the promotion of European values, human rights, peace and civic engagement. Against the backdrop of pressing issues such as the war in Ukraine and the 2024 European elections, the project aims to promote cooperation and engagement through a series of major events, participant exchanges and local mobilizations. From this starting point, the project will develop a dynamic cooperation between the participating cities, each of which is recognized for its important role in the European context.

A key element of the project is the involvement of young people, aged between 18 and 30, who will be mobilized as local and European volunteers. Around 60 volunteers, divided into groups of 10-15, formed mixed teams comprising young people from the local community and from other European countries. These teams led and implemented activities under the coordination of the project partners. The initiative focused on peer-to-peer exchanges, where young participants shared their experiences and views, fostering future cooperation and strengthening ties between cities. This approach is designed to ensure the sustainability of the relationships forged and the long-term success of the project, as the links between young people, NGOs and local governance structures will endure beyond the project's timeframe.

The project sets itself apart by capitalizing on high-profile events that are already important to local communities, including the 2024 European elections, the Paris Olympics and the Polish presidency of the European Union in 2025. Each of these milestones serves as a platform for the project's activities, which are expected to attract 200-300 direct participants per event.

The project's partner organizations have forged close links through their mutual involvement in youth mobility and engagement projects. These partners, including Collectif pour un service civique européen, Stowarzyszenie Centrum Wolontariatu, FITT and BRAVO (focusing on cooperation in the Balkans), are all well established in their respective territories, and even at national level, and have considerable experience in event organization and cultural animation. Their collective expertise in managing large-scale civic service initiatives, combined with their local knowledge, makes them ideal for implementing this project. Local governments have fully endorsed the initiative, entrusting these organizations with the task of leading its execution.

The overall aim of the project is to create opportunities for citizens to engage in meaningful exchanges on topics of common interest across Europe. By fostering cultural exchanges, promoting human rights and encouraging civic engagement, the project aligns with the priorities of the CERV program, which seeks to strengthen European unity and identity. One of the fundamental objectives is to address the common challenges facing European cities, such as promoting democratic participation, social cohesion and civic responsibility, particularly among young people. This initiative places a strong emphasis on involving young people, not only as participants but also as leaders in the implementation of the project.

In addition to engaging young people, the project will create spaces for dialogue on the future of Europe. Conferences, art exhibitions, European fairs and festivals will be organized in participating cities, enabling citizens to reflect on their European identity and the challenges facing European societies. These events will also facilitate the exchange of best practice between participants, with a focus on youth activism, human rights and European values. Importantly, all activities are designed to be easily replicable, so that the lessons learned and frameworks developed can be extended to future projects beyond the scope of this initiative.

The socio-cultural heritage of the participating cities - Paris, Sarajevo, Timișoara and Warsaw - plays a central role in the project. Each city brings its own historical and cultural background, and this diversity is seen as a strength. Paris, as a European city of culture, has already set up the Paris Europe Label and the Parisian Council of Europeans to reinforce its European orientation. Hosting the 2024 Olympic Games will provide a unique opportunity for intercultural dialogue and collaboration on environmental and social objectives. Sarajevo, a city with an Olympic history dating back to 1984, has developed a strong partnership with Paris through a best practice pact, and is preparing for eventual membership of the European Union. Timișoara, European Capital of Culture for 2022-23, and Warsaw, which will preside over the EU Council in 2025, are two key players in this Europe-wide exchange of ideas and good practice.