The Department for European Policies and the Ministry of Education – Direzione Generale per lo Studente, l'Inclusione e l'Orientamento Scolastico (DG for Students, Inclusion and School Orientation) – announce the national competition titled “L’Europa è nelle tue mani!” (Europe is in your hands!), addressed to public and private high-school students across the Country.
The competition is promoted in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe initiatives, launching a new space for discussion with citizens to address the challenges and priorities of the EU; and young Europeans have a central role in shaping the future of the Union project.
The essays
Students are invited to submit an essay illustrating their vision of the EU, from the point of view of those who were 'born European' and wish to convey their ideas to their peers in a creative way. The essay should be inspired by one of the nine themes of the Conference:
- Climate change and the environment
- Health
- A stronger economy, social justice and employment
- The EU in the world
- Values and rights, rule of law, security
- Digital transformation
- European democracy
- Migration
- Education, culture, youth and sport.
The essay can be submitted in one of the following formats:
- A PowerPoint output or equivalent of maximum 6 pages or slides;
- A max 3 minute-video made with a smartphone, video camera, or video editing software, as most appropriate;
- Content suitable for distribution via social media channels (Facebook and Instagram), e.g., a post with photos or video for Facebook; or a video, a reel, a single post or a carousel for Instagram.
Further information on how to participate, submit the essays and on the competition in general is provided in the notice.
Background material and deadlines for participation
Useful background material for preparing your essay can be found on the European Commission's digital platform and in the section dedicated to the Conference on the Future of Europe. In addition, the virtual tour of the exhibition titled "L'Italia in Europa – L'Europa in Italia" (Italy in Europe – Europe in Italy) [IT] can be a further opportunity for in-depth study.
Essays must be submitted by 8 March 2022 (initially the deadline was 15 February 2022) as indicated in the competition notice [IT], which also indicates the in-depth materials for consultation and any further information on how to participate and submit entries.
A joint committee composed of representatives from the Directorate-General for Students, Inclusion and School Orientation of the Ministry of Education, the Department for European Policies, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will assess the essays received and identify the 21 winning classes (7 for each type of output).
In assessing the essays, the Examining Committee will take into account the following criteria:
- Coherence with the theme proposed;
- Ability to convey the message in an effective and innovative manner;
- Degree of creativity in the form and content proposed.
The Prizes
The schools of the 21 winning classes will be awarded €7,000 to be used for purchasing teaching materials and/or implementing training initiatives linked to European topics.
The list of the winning classes will be published on the website and social media channels of the Department for European Policies