NOT SKIP Project
The project "NOT SKIP: Network of Organizations for Promoting Skills for Participation" is developed by a consortium of organizations from 6 countries includes AJITER, as the Portuguese representative.
This project is part of the CERV programme, financed by the European Union's Justice, Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Fund (CERV) and will run for two years, until 2026. Its action plan includes several conferences and other activities whose main objective is to promote skills for the promotion of civic participation among the population.
This project is coordinated by the organization Fattoria Pugliese Diffusa APS (Italy) with the participation, as already mentioned, of the Youth Association of Terceira Island - AJITER (Portugal), Musninkų kaimo bendruomenė (Lithuania), Municipality of Fyli (Greece), Asociatia NamelessArt (Romania) and the Local Action Group „Dolina Rzeki Grabi” (Poland).
NOTSKIP Local Awareness
Raising Campaigns
Within the two years of NOTSKIP project, each partner
organization had to implement at local level 6 activities, as so, AJITER has
developed the following:
The desk research focused on identifying and
collecting national and European good practices that use cultural activities to
promote democracy, volunteering, and active citizenship. The project team analyzed
initiatives addressing topics such as social inclusion, gender equality,
environmental awareness, and community participation through artistic and
cultural approaches. The selected good practices were shared through the
project's communication channels to inspire citizens and stakeholders, while
providing valuable input for the development of the NOTSKIP recommendations and
the implementation of the following project activities.
LARC 2: Street debate
On 16 January 2026, AJITER organized a Street
Debate in Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal, as part of the NOTSKIP project. The
activity invited local students to take part in an informal public consultation
on the question "How can we live together in peace?". A total of 65
participants engaged in conversations with the project facilitators, sharing
personal reflections and practical ideas on how to promote peaceful coexistence
in everyday life. More than 30 contributions were collected, highlighting
the importance of mutual respect, empathy, active listening, education,
solidarity, and openness towards others. The activity strengthened dialogue
within the local community, encouraged citizens to reflect on their role in
creating an inclusive society, and provided qualitative input for the
development of the NOTSKIP recommendations on democratic participation and
social cohesion.
LARC 3: Round table
The round table was organized on 27 January 2025
in Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal, bringing together 11 participants, including
local stakeholders, local authorities, experts, citizens, and youth
representatives. The event focused on strengthening democratic participation
and exploring ways to increase citizens’ involvement in local and European
decision-making processes. Through interactive discussions, participants
identified key challenges related to trust in institutions, access to
information, digital inclusion, awareness of EU participation tools, and the involvement
of less active groups. The discussion highlighted the importance of accessible
participation mechanisms, stronger communication between citizens and
institutions, the role of local authorities as mediators, and the creation of
inclusive spaces for dialogue. The activity contributed to the development of
recommendations aimed at promoting active citizenship, transparent
participation, and stronger community engagement.
LARC 4: Focus group
The focus group activities were implemented with two
different target groups in order to collect perspectives on civic
participation, youth engagement, and the role of education in strengthening
democratic involvement. There were a total of 18 participants face to face.
FOCUS GROUP: Young people, Youth workers, educators,
trainers and teachers
The focus group was organized on 10 May 2026 in Praia
da Vitória, Portugal, involving professionals working with young people. The activity
explored grassroots initiatives to promote citizens’ engagement in shaping the
Future of Europe and the role of education in fostering active citizenship.
Participants discussed barriers affecting youth participation, such as lack of
awareness, limited communication, territorial barriers, and the perception of
European processes as distant. The discussion highlighted the importance of
experiential civic education, cooperation between schools and local
organizations, inclusive participation spaces, and the development of
educators’ skills in communication, active listening, and participatory
methodologies. The results contributed to the development of NOTSKIP
recommendations and the promotion of democratic participation.
The focus group also involved young people. The
activity explored young people’s perceptions of the Future of Europe, civic
participation, EU participatory tools, and the barriers limiting youth
engagement. Participants discussed key issues affecting their generation,
including climate change, education, employment opportunities, and social
inclusion. The discussion highlighted the need for more accessible
institutional communication, stronger youth involvement in decision-making
processes, and more opportunities for participation through workshops,
volunteering, youth forums, and digital platforms. The outcomes contributed to
the development of NOTSKIP recommendations and the promotion of active
citizenship at local and European level.
LARC 5: Podcast
Within the communication activities of the NOTSKIP
project, AJITER created a podcast episode entitled he power of
participation.This podcast explores the importance of active citizenship,
collaboration between institutions and communities, and practical ways to
encourage greater public involvement in decision-making processes. Through his
experience in public service, Mr. Luis Leal shares valuable insights on
strengthening democratic participation and empowering citizens to make their
voices heard. The was Mr. Luis Leal, member of the Azores parliament.
LARC 6: Dissemination event
On 14 July 2026, AJITER organized the local
dissemination event of the NOTSKIP project in Vila das Velas, Italy, involving
21 participants, including citizens, stakeholders, civil society organizations
and community representatives. The event aimed to present the project’s
results, achievements, and good practices, while promoting dialogue and
networking among local actors. Participants discussed the importance of active
citizenship, democratic participation, and the sustainability of project
outcomes, contributing to the wider dissemination and future exploitation of
NOTSKIP results at local level.
You can also check to our partners Work regarding this project:
The Road:
NOT SKIP: KICK OFF MEETING
The 6 NOT SKIP partners have met from the 14th to the 17th of October 2024, in Lodz (Poland), being hosted by LGD. at the first in-situ international event.
The meeting focused on project coordination and management, ensuring that the whole project activities will follow the same structure. The first day addressed the topics of NOT SKIP partnership and task and reole(partners’ presentation, experience, activities) and the national and international role of citizens in the democratic life (national speakers). The second day focused on the general project management, communication, dissemination plan, financial info.
You are invited to read the report of the 1st Work Package HERE.
NOT SKIP: 2nd European Meeting “Training Skills for Democracy"
From May 7–10, 2025, Fattoria Pugliese Diffusa APS (IT) hosted in Gallipoli and Taurisano, the second European Meeting of the NOTSKIP Project, titled "Training Skills for Democracy".
The event gathered 25 international participants from six countries and 83 local attendees for four days of training, cultural exchange, and civic engagement. Highlights included a European Parliament simulation, a training in the Street Debate methodology, and a vibrant Europe Day celebration with local officials, students, and European Solidarity Corps volunteers.
The project will now move forward with 24 trained facilitators leading local awareness campaigns across Europe to promote participatory democracy especially in rural and underrepresented communities.
You are invited here to read the report of the 2nd Work Package here.
NOT SKIP: 4th European Meeting “Speak-UP!” - Co-designing the Final Recommendations
The conference “Speak-UP!” - Co-designing the Final Recommendations“ conference was held in Bucharest, Romania, which was another of the actions, more specifically, the fourth international meeting of the ”NOT SKIP: Network of Organizations for Promoting Skills for Participation“ project, in an event organized by the Romanian partner of this European project, whose consortium AJITER is part of, ”Asociatia Nameless Art".
This event - in which AJITER was represented by a delegation of five participants from Terceira Island - aimed to develop a set of recommendations for various social actors, based on the work already carried out in this project, which would contribute to improving democratic participation in the communities where they are located, namely through the promotion of actions and strategies that can better involve and empower citizens for democratic participation.
This international action, which involved the participation of 30 representatives from the six nationalities participating in the project, as well as around 150 young students from local schools, focused on sharing good practices and local projects promoting democratic participation from the various countries involved in the project, alluding to the role of schools and training in the use of digital platforms as new forms of participation. There was also space for the technical coordination of the entire project and its action plan, as well as contact with the local reality in the political, social, historical, cultural, and economic fields.
We invite you to read the report on the 4th Work Package in this document.
NOT SKIP: 5th European Meeting - Final Conference
We invite you to read the report on the 5th Work Package in this document. 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.
