YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE (2024)

FEMYSO’s flagship Your Vote, Your Voice campaign was tailored to mobilise young European Muslims across the continent, with ambassadors representing 14 different countries. This cross-national approach ensured that the campaign reflected diverse experiences while equipping youth with the tools to engage in local and national European Election initiatives. Launched ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections, the campaign aimed to increase political literacy, foster civic participation, and amplify the voices of Muslim youth in shaping Europe’s future. In a political landscape marked by rising right-wing movements and growing exclusion of minority communities, the campaign highlighted the importance of informed voting and direct engagement with policymakers. 

At the core of the campaign was the EUROPA (Exploring Uncharted Realms of Political Awareness) residential training in Brussels, designed for ambassadors from FEMYSO’s Member Organisations. This intensive program equipped participants with practical skills and knowledge to run their own local or national European Election campaigns. Ambassadors gained a deep understanding of the European Union, the powers of the European Parliament, and the processes shaping citizens’ daily lives. They also developed advocacy tools and strategies to mobilize their communities, raise awareness about voting, and create inclusive spaces for political participation. 

The campaign incorporated multiple outreach and engagement tools to maximize impact. Social media campaigns reached young Muslims across Europe, raising awareness of the elections, highlighting key policy issues, and encouraging civic participation. A dedicated podcast series provided a platform for Muslim youth to discuss their priorities, share experiences, and engage in dialogue with experts and policymakers. Online webinars, the roundtable with MEP Brando Benifei, and the consultation with the Green Party’s civil society platform enabled participants to directly advocate for intersectional policies addressing Islamophobia, socio-economic inequalities, and broader systemic discrimination. The campaign also featured FEMYSO’s “Voices of Diversity” manifesto, outlining policy proposals and concrete demands for an inclusive Europe. 

Through these initiatives, FEMYSO ensured continued engagement and follow-up action beyond the initial training. Ambassadors were supported in organizing local campaigns, leveraging the knowledge and Your Vote, Your Voice toolkit provided, and fostering collaboration between civil society, youth networks, and decision-makers. The campaign emphasized the challenges faced by Muslim youth while reinforcing the broader value of active civic engagement for all young Europeans. 

Objectives of the Campaign: 

1. Increase voter turnout among young European Muslims and strengthen their participation in European democratic processes. 

1. Enhance political literacy, particularly on EU institutions, policy-making, and the impact of European Parliament decisions on daily life. 

1. Build sustainable networks between youth, civil society, and MEPs to ensure Muslim youth priorities are represented and acted upon in policymaking.