EUlectionplay: Engagement of young people on European level Project The project “EulectionPlay: Gamification of public participation of young people: from local government to EU elections” aims to promote participatory democracy by encouraging young people’s involvement in shaping both local and European Union democracy. This is achieved through gamification and non-formal education approach. As part of this project, seven workshops were conducted with young people from January to April 2024 in Portugal to raise awareness of the importance of voting in EU elections and what the EU does for young people’s daily life. Six workshops took place in schools within the Algarve region in southern Portugal, and one involved a visit from the Almada Municipality to the Lisbon Youth Centre, where one of the DYPALL Network offices is located. To facilitate the workshops in schools, we collaborated several times with our local partner, EuropeDirect Algarve. Collectively, these workshops engaged 189 young participants, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills for active participation in democratic processes. Implemented in: Escola International de Aljezur (30.01.2024.) Escola Secundária de Albufeira (31.01.2024.) Colegio International de Vilamoura (21.02.2024.) Agrupamento de Escolas Poeta António Aleixo (05.03.2024., 06.03.2024., 07.03.2024.) Municipality of Almada (29.04.2024.) The workshops focused on how young people can get involved in EU-level activities and decision-making processes. Participants learned about various EU institutions, their roles, and how citizens can influence EU policies and actions. Information was provided on numerous programs and opportunities the EU offers to support young people’s education and civic engagement. Initiatives such as Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, and other youth-oriented projects were highlighted. The sessions also emphasized the significance of voting as a fundamental democratic right and duty. Participants examined how voting influences governance and policy-making at the EU level, with a strong emphasis on the importance of participating in EU elections. Each school-based workshop incorporated interactive activities, such as debates, quiz and video-making workshops, to make learning about EU democracy engaging. These sessions connected EUlevel participation to local issues, helping students see the relevance of their engagement. Additionally, a visit from the Almada Municipality to the Lisbon Youth Centre provided a practical example of how local government interacts with and supports youth participation. Key Outcomes Participants gained a deeper understanding of the EU’s structure and functions, and how they can engage with it. The workshops instilled a sense of responsibility and motivation to participate in the upcoming EU elections. Using gamification and interactive methods, the workshops made learning about democracy engaging and accessible, empowering young people to take an active role in their communities. Young people engaged in the project supported the development of leaflet and recommendations regarding the democratic involvement of youth at the EU level. The EulectionPlay project is funded by the European Executive Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA) and is currently being implemented by CRPE (Romania), The Teacher Lab (Romania), Active Bulgarian Society (Bulgaria), ADEL (Slovakia), and DYPALL Network. Co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are 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 the granting authority can be held responsible for them.