A big step for youth participation

5^th – 8^th October 2009 was the first time that wide range shadow elections were held in Estonia. “Youth Shadow Elections in Tallinn and Tartu before the Election of Local Governments” was a citizen education project organized by the Estonian National Youth Council and granted by the Youth in Action programme under the youth democracy project sub-action 1.3.

Needs and aims

Why do we tend to think that some things have to be clear without any learning or practice? It is not like that with reading or riding a bike, but it seems to be like that when making a choice about elections. There is actually no possibility of practising before the time comes to make that significant choice. Obviously then it is necessary that the choice made is the choice that is truly right in the eyes of the one that makes it – conscious and knowledge based. But how does a young person know how to make that kind of choice if he/she has never had a chance to learn or practise?

The Estonian Youth Council understood the need to give young people the possibility of  trying this decision making process, thefeeling of taking action, making a choice, participating, getting the sense that what a person does, makes a difference. Therefore, the shadow elections project was created and carried out. The aim of the project was to support and enhance young people’s participation in society and to increase youth interest in daily social matters around them, to help them to notice and take action, not to remain in a stand-by position on issues concerning their own lives. From another point of view – it was important to show that young people have their opinion and they want to show it. All this was achieved through a non formal learning experience.

Partnership and activities

The project initiators got the idea for the activities that would help to reach their goal from the article that described successful shadow elections in Finland. What could be more suitable than learning a new method to increase youth participation from those who already practise it? Mutual benefit would increase by sharing the results and analyzing differences and similarities. A partnership with Finnish youth organisations Allianssi and Helsinki City Government was born, and to make a real impact - Tallinn and Tartu City Governments and Tartu Youth Council were also included as equal partners.

The main activity of the project was shadow elections that gave young people (from age 14) in the two biggest cities in Estonia (Tallinn and Tartu) the possibility to vote for local election candidates and to learn how to make a conscious choice based on their own preference and point of view. This was a real experience that included choosing between real candidates, and even if it all was just a game to learn – the young people’s opinions were broadcast and published in the media. As we know, a salad does not taste perfect without oil and salt, and the shadow elections also needed supportive activities and debates, simulation games and information days to accompany them, plus specific leaflets and a webpage. The aim of these activities was to encourage and support young people in their decision making, so that they would really have a chance to understand the importance of taking action and finding the candidate whose point of view they supported. All this to enhance youth participation and to help them make conscious decisions in the future.

Difficulties and value

• One local government overreacted and did not allow project activities into its schools. 
• Some politicians were not ready for such a youth initiative.
• The project team confirmed that this project was like a valuable training course that can never be bought in.
• More then 1700 youngsters got the possibility to practise a real decision making process.
• The project was awarded by the Network of Estonian Non-profit Organizations and the municipalities of Tallinn and Tartu.
• The President of the Republic of Estonia highlighted that it is important that young people participate in projects such as shadow elections
• The project increased awareness of youth participation and the youth democracy projects sub-action.

Therefore let’s keep in mind and make our own efforts in light of the words of Henry David Thoreau: “How could youth better learn to live than by at once trying the experiment of living?”

Nele Mets

YiA Programme Estonian National Agency/ Coordinator of Actions 1.2, 1.3 and 5.1