Our priority is that through this project all project partners will be collaborating with the youth workers and with the youth to engage them in informal education in relation to STEAM and science communication. Moreover, sharing the knowledge and experiences would enhance the projects' outputs; namely the interactive resource including a high quality video of a science show, and public speaking/ debate skills sets. Youth participation strengthens personal and social development, provides expertise for youth programmes and services, and promotes a more democratic society. In the context of complex inter-generational challenges such as climate change and sustainable development, it is increasingly important for scientists and policy-makers to actively engage with and support the meaningful participation of youth in policy and decision-making.Art, theatre and storytelling will be used as media for youth upskilling and engagement. The first phase of the project will involve a triangulation research with youth and the surrounding communities and a training programme by a well established cultural organisation in which together with the youth entity will provide a comprehensive upskilling programme for science communicators on collaborating with youth. Using the research and the training through several matchmaking sessions youth workers, science communicators, artists and the youth will work together to produce the interactive resource. Transnational meetings will be used for the science centres, youth agency and the artistic organisation to monitor progress and plan ahead. Upon its completion the interactive resource will be presented during the three non formal multiplier events named Youth Science Cafes. During these multiplier events youth will be actively involved in their organisation and will also actively participate in the science show and science cafe. These multiplier events will be targeting more youths through the participation from the surrounding communities. Through these cafes, youths are presented with the opportunity to speak about their involvement in informal education; in connection to science communication and STEAM subjects. Furthermore, the interactive resource would be freely available to the public on the Websites of science centres. The innovative aspect of this project is that the science show would be developed on the basis of research conducted as part of this project in collaboration with the Youth Agency, involving the youths. Further more, a concluding conference would be held in Malta bringing together representatives from stakeholders in non formal education, science communication, youth work, youths and the art sectors. The conference will enable sharing of best practices and experiences, dissemination of the project outputs through the active involvement of the youths and specific workshops.

<< Objectives >>Wired Youth will empower and encourage youths to engage in active political participation with scientists and decision-makers to develop evidence-based policies. It will promote a culture for active citizenship and democratic debates in the younger generation, nurturing individuals to become tomorrow’s policy makers or researchers. Wired Youths will be a lifelong formative experience which will create effective international networks between youths, scientists and politicians.<< Implementation >>After applications close and the groups of participants are selected, they will participate in 4 training workshops: Engaging STEM researchers Public Speaking and Communication skills How to debate and think critically Engaging policy makers A two-day bootcamp will be held where the students will engage in simulated parliamentary debates and prepare their arguments for the National Youth Science Parliament (NYSP). The students will compete against each other in debates during the NYSP.<< Results >>Wired Youth will nurture a group of youths who have developed evidence-based policies and are exercising their role as active citizens. The project will show them that they have the potential to enact positive change for the socio-economic benefit of their country and the EU. Wired Youth will encourage science and policy-making career path uptake by introducing the youths to role-models and allowing them to work hand in hand towards the development of evidence-based policy papers with experts.