About the project
Objectives We want to carry out the RUPE project because European youth shows worrying signs of a weakening democratic commitment and increasing vulnerability to polarization. In the 2024 European elections, turnout among under-25s fell to 36%, six points lower than in 2019. This figure reflects a growing disconnection between young people and formal democratic processes. While many young people declare their intention to participate, a significant number report little interest in politics or voting, highlighting gaps in civic trust that mobility and non-formal education can help address directly. Attitudes towards democracy reinforce this concern. The Young Europe 2025 study by TUI Stiftung shows that only 57% of young people aged 16–26 prefer democracy over other systems, with even lower numbers in Spain and France (around 51–52%). Alarmingly, one in five respondents stated that an authoritarian regime could be acceptable under certain circumstances. These figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen peace education, historical literacy, and critical thinking skills so that…
Objectives
Objectives
We want to carry out the RUPE project because European youth shows worrying signs of a weakening
democratic commitment and increasing vulnerability to polarization. In the 2024 European elections, turnout
among under-25s fell to 36%, six points lower than in 2019. This figure reflects a growing disconnection between
young people and formal democratic processes. While many young people declare their intention to participate, a
significant number report little interest in politics or voting, highlighting gaps in civic trust that mobility and
non-formal education can help address directly.
Attitudes towards democracy reinforce this concern. The Young Europe 2025 study by TUI Stiftung shows that
only 57% of young people aged 16–26 prefer democracy over other systems, with even lower numbers in Spain
and France (around 51–52%). Alarmingly, one in five respondents stated that an authoritarian regime could be
acceptable under certain circumstances. These figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen peace education,
historical literacy, and critical thinking skills so that young people understand both the risks of authoritarianism
and the value of democratic institutions.
The international context adds further challenges. The Global Peace Index 2024 reports the widest gap in sixteen
years between the most peaceful and least peaceful countries, reflecting a significant deterioration of global
peace. Young people, who are constantly exposed to global digital narratives, perceive this climate of instability in
their daily lives. This translates into increased risks of disinformation, manipulation, and polarization. If these risks
are not countered through structured intercultural learning experiences and spaces for collective reflection, they
can severely weaken democratic resilience and social cohesion.
The RUPE project responds to these challenges by offering young people meaningful opportunities for travel,
dialogue, and non-formal education. Through shared experiences on symbolic European routes —the Comet
Line, linked to resistance and freedom, and the Baltic Chain, associated with peaceful unity— participants will
reflect on the importance of democracy, the fragility of peace, and their active role in protecting these values for
the future.
Problems and needs in Spain
1) Deficit in historical memory: The Civil War and the dictatorship are not addressed in depth in school curricula,
leaving many young people without solid reference points to interpret the recent past. This absence facilitates the
spread of disinformation and myths that distort the understanding of democracy and peace.
2) Political disengagement and democratic fatigue: Low youth electoral participation, combined with the
perception that institutions do not represent their interests, feeds a crisis of confidence in democracy and an
attraction to authoritarian models.
3) Exposure to radical discourses and disinformation: On social networks and digital platforms, young people are
constantly exposed to polarized, extremist, or revisionist narratives. Without critical skills, they are particularly
vulnerable to ideological manipulation.
4) Lack of meaningful non-formal learning opportunities: Formal education does not always connect with young
people’s interests or offer experiential learning spaces. It is necessary to complement it with projects that link
mobility, historical memory, intercultural dialogue, and personal reflection.
Project objectives
Generated on: Aug 4, 2026
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The content of this page is published for information purposes only. The project was funded by the European Union. However, the communication about the project
that is published through this page expresses the views of the project beneficiaries only and it does not represent the views of the European Union or the European
Commission. It shall not be deemed to constitute legal or official notice on behalf of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union
nor the European Commission can be held responsible for this content nor the use thereof made by any third parties.
– Strengthen young people’s historical awareness and collective memory through non-formal learning
experiences that connect symbolic routes of resistance (Comet Line) and peaceful unity (Baltic Chain).
– Foster critical thinking and media literacy skills, enabling participants to identify and counter disinformation and
polarized discourses.
– Guarantee the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities through logistical, linguistic, economic, and
mentoring support that removes barriers to access.
– Promote civic engagement and trust in democratic institutions, through spaces for dialogue, collective reflection,
and multiplier activities after the mobility.
– Create a multiplier impact in local communities, with the production of materials and dissemination activities
(exhibitions, school talks, videos, digital publications) that make the project’s lessons visible and foster debate on
peace and historical memory.
Impact
The RUPE project is expected to generate results at several levels: individual, organizational, community, and
European. The main result will be the personal and educational transformation of the young people involved,
especially those with fewer opportunities. By engaging in experiential learning along the Comet Line and the
Baltic Chain, participants will:
– Gain a deeper understanding of European history and memory, recognizing how resistance, unity, and peace
movements shaped today’s Europe.
– Strengthen key competences such as intercultural communication, critical thinking, resilience, teamwork, and
civic awareness.
– Build confidence and independence by overcoming obstacles of international travel, navigating new
environments, and taking responsibility for shared group tasks.
– Develop a stronger sense of belonging to Europe, connecting their personal identity to common European
values of peace, democracy, and solidarity.
At the organizational level
Participating organizations will benefit from:
– Enhanced capacity to implement inclusive mobility projects, especially with young people from rural,
low-income, or migrant backgrounds.
– Development of innovative educational methodologies that combine history, peace education, and mobility,
which can be integrated into future projects and programmes.
– Stronger European networks and partnerships, opening pathways for collaboration in Erasmus+ and other EU
programmes.
At the community level
The project will produce concrete and visible results in the local communities of the participants:
– Multiplier events in schools, youth centers, and cultural spaces where participants will present their experiences
through talks, exhibitions, videos, and interactive workshops.
– Increased awareness among peers who did not travel, inspiring them to engage in mobility opportunities and
reflecting on peace, democracy, and European identity.
– Creation of digital outputs (blogs, videos, photo galleries, learning diaries) that will remain accessible online as
tools for awareness-raising and youth empowerment.
At the European level
RUPE will contribute to wider EU objectives by:
– Strengthening the inclusive dimension of DiscoverEU, demonstrating that mobility can be accessible and
Generated on: Aug 4, 2026
Booklet
Page
of
52
162
The content of this page is published for information purposes only. The project was funded by the European Union. However, the communication about the project
that is published through this page expresses the views of the project beneficiaries only and it does not represent the views of the European Union or the European
Commission. It shall not be deemed to constitute legal or official notice on behalf of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union
nor the European Commission can be held responsible for this content nor the use thereof made by any third parties.
transformative for young people with fewer opportunities.
– Highlighting Europe’s shared heritage of peace and reconciliation, linking historical memory with present
challenges of polarization and disinformation.
– Providing transferable resources (methodologies, activity outlines, media materials) uploaded to the Erasmus+
Project Results Platform and SALTO Toolbox, ensuring that the project has long-term visibility and can inspire
similar initiatives in other countries.
In the short term, the impact will be seen in the empowerment of young participants, their improved competences,
and the visibility of their experiences in their communities. In the medium term, the project will enhance the
capacity of organizations to carry out inclusive and educational mobility, and will contribute to local dialogues on
peace, democracy, and youth participation. In the long term, RUPE aims to strengthen democratic resilience and
intercultural dialogue among European youth, supporting the broader Erasmus+ objective of building a more
inclusive, participatory, and cohesive Europe.
Link to project card: Show project card
Activities
after the mobility.
– Create a multiplier impact in local communities, with the production of materials and dissemination activities
(exhibitions, school talks, videos, digital publications) that make the project’s lessons visible and foster debate on
peace and historical memory.
Impact
in local communities, with the production of materials and dissemination activities
(exhibitions, school talks, videos, digital publications) that make the project’s lessons visible and foster debate on
peace and historical memory.
Impact
The RUPE project is expected to generate results at several levels: individual, organizational, community, and
European. The main result will be the personal and educational transformation of the young people involved,
especially those with fewer opportunities. By engaging in experiential learning along the Comet Line and the
Baltic Chain, participants will:
– Gain a deeper understanding of European history and memory, recognizing how resistance, unity, and peace
movements shaped today’s Europe.
– Strengthen key competences such as intercultural communication, critical thinking, resilience, teamwork, and
civic awareness.
– Build confidence and independence by overcoming obstacles of international travel, navigating new
environments, and taking responsibility for shared group tasks.
– Develop a stronger sense of belonging to Europe, connecting their personal identity to common European
values of peace, democracy, and solidarity.
At the organizational level
Participating organizations will benefit from:
– Enhanced capacity to implement inclusive mobility projects, especially with young people from rural,
low-income, or migrant backgrounds.
– Development of innovative educational methodologies that combine history, peace education, and mobility,
which can be integrated into future projects and programmes.
– Stronger European networks and partnerships, opening pathways for collaboration in Erasmus+ and other EU
programmes.
At the community level
The project will produce concrete and visible results in the local communities of the participants:
– Multiplier events in schools, youth centers, and cultural spaces where participants will present their experiences
through talks, exhibitions, videos, and interactive workshops.
– Increased awareness among peers who did not travel, inspiring them to engage in mobility opportunities and
reflecting on peace, democracy, and European identity.
– Creation of digital outputs (blogs, videos, photo galleries, learning diaries) that will remain accessible online as
tools for awareness-raising and youth empowerment.
At the European level
RUPE will contribute to wider EU objectives by:
– Strengthening the inclusive dimension of DiscoverEU, demonstrating that mobility can be accessible and
Generated on: Aug 4, 2026
Booklet
Page
of
52
162
The content of this page is published for information purposes only. The project was funded by the European Union. However, the communication about the project
that is published through this page expresses the views of the project beneficiaries only and it does not represent the views of the European Union or the European
Commission. It shall not be deemed to constitute legal or official notice on behalf of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union
nor the European Commission can be held responsible for this content nor the use thereof made by any third parties.
transformative for young people with fewer opportunities.
– Highlighting Europe’s shared heritage of peace and reconciliation, linking historical memory with present
challenges of polarization and disinformation.
– Providing transferable resources (methodologies, activity outlines, media materials) uploaded to the Erasmus+
Project Results Platform and SALTO Toolbox, ensuring that the project has long-term visibility and can inspire
similar initiatives in other countries.
In the short term, the impact will be seen in the empowerment of young participants, their improved competences,
and the visibility of their experiences in their communities. In the medium term, the project will enhance the
capacity of organizations to carry out inclusive and educational mobility, and will contribute to local dialogues on
peace, democracy, and youth participation. In the long term, RUPE aims to strengthen democratic resilience and
intercultural dialogue among European youth, supporting the broader Erasmus+ objective of building a more
inclusive, participatory, and cohesive Europe.
Project partners
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🇪🇸
ASOC SOCIO CULTURAL VERDESUR ALCALA
Spain
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.