Youth on The ROAD

Title of the Project

Youth on The ROAD

Organisation

Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira

WEBSITE

https://cm-feira.pt/

Project link

https://www.facebook.com/juventudesmf

Project dates

January 1, 2024

May 31, 2025

What is it about?

The project aimed to bring the Youth Office closer to the local youth community by promoting the dissemination of various programmes and initiatives.

Youth on The Road is based on an informal and dynamic approach that leverages the element of surprise to spark young people’s interest in the Youth Office. A tour concept was created, reflected in the logo, the project name, and the promotional poster for the initiative. This initiative draws inspiration from summer festivals and small travelling performances that used to visit remote parishes away from urban centres.

How is this project relevant to the specific category?

During May, the Youth Office visits all middle and high schools in the municipality with a blue van, which has become the project’s visual identity. The van is an old vehicle that has been adapted with a pop-up roof that transforms into a DJ booth. Upon arrival at the school, the van sets up in an outdoor space alongside Youth Office banners, a 170 cm spinning wheel, and numerous customised promotional giveaways, making the activation itself a performative event. The van’s journey can be tracked through real-time posts and short stories on the Youth Office’s social media.

In addition to digital communication, posters are displayed at schools with the message: “We’re on our way. Find us at your school on [date]”. This message is reinforced in the first class of the day when each student receives a personalised giveaway containing information about a specific topic, a QR code linking to the Youth Office’s Instagram, and a challenge: “Win a spin on the Youth Office Wheel! Or trade it for a giveaway at the Blue Van!” During school breaks, music takes over, and choreographies start forming as students line up to spin the wheel. One by one, after spinning, they answer a question about the project based on the information available in the flyer and on the Youth Office’s social media. Each correct answer is rewarded with a giveaway that promotes different projects and is divided into two categories: standard rewards for correct answers and a “Jackpot” prize. The Jackpot grants a special giveaway, usually featuring the Youth Office’s official branding.

What was the impact of the project?

This project promotes greater equality of opportunities by connecting young people with the Youth Office and the various projects and programmes it develops. More than 7,000 young people received a themed giveaway associated with the Youth on The Road project, generating anticipation and curiosity through the immersive experience created. Better-informed and more knowledgeable young people will be more actively engaged, and this impact is later reflected in the various projects led by the Youth Office.

Did the project have any green focus?

In each edition, the selected topic is always different, aiming to address current concepts and concerns relevant to young people. In the 2024 edition, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were the main topic, with the Youth on The Road school visit carefully aligned with this theme. The giveaway distributed referenced each of the SDGs, encouraging the youth community to reflect on this urgent global concern.

How did you ensure Eurodesk's visibility in your project?

Project highlights

https://www.facebook.com/juventudesmf

Your project on video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6NJ11P69ds&ab_channel=GabinetedaJuventudeSantaMariadaFeira