Ever wanted to have engaging conversations about things that actually impact your life, such as elections, youth participation in democracy, or the issues you care about most? A Europe Café is the perfect way to bring people together, share ideas, and reflect on what it means to be young and active in Europe today. It doesn’t need to be formal or complicated, just grab a few friends, pick a topic, and create a space for conversation. You don’t need to be an expert in the topic, just curious and ready to listen, learn and share your view.
What is a Europe Café
A Europe Café is an informal and engaging event where young people come together to talk about important topics linked to the European Union and youth participation in democracy. The format is simple and flexible: it starts with a short presentationon a chosen topic, which can be done by you, someone from your local team, or a guest speaker from an NGO, a local institution, or just someone with experience to share.
After the short presentation (around 10–15 minutes), you move into the heart of the event, a discussion or debate between participants, guided by a few key questions. This part is open and interactive, as people can share personal experiences, ask each other questions, or explore different points of view. You can do this in a big group, smaller breakout groups, or even as a world café where people rotate between tables with different questions.
What you’ll need to organise one
To organise a Europe Café, you’ll need an informal and comfortable space, where participants can talk freely, one speaker or presenter to introduce the topic (this can even be you!), and a set of prepared discussion questions to guide the conversation. It’s helpful to have one or two facilitators to keep the discussion flowing and make sure everyone feels included. Optional extras like snacks, coffee, post-its, or flipcharts can help create a warm and interactive environment. Most importantly, bring open minds and a willingness to listen and engage.
If you don’t know what topic to choose, you can check one of our presentations below or email as at yvote@aegee.eu for more.
A Europe Café isn’t about finding the “right” answers, it’s about asking the right questions, together. It’s your space to reflect, connect, and take the first step toward understanding and shaping the Europe you want to live in.
