We empower school students, university students and apprentices, as well as local authority representatives, teachers and community volunteers, to engage in dialogue about Europe and the EU – whether at a stall at a town festival, with a community group or at a discussion event. In the process, participants also learn how to address EU stereotypes and how to counter the arguments put forward by EU opponents.
  
At the start of the workshop, participants learn about the EU’s institutions and how they work, as well as some common points of criticism, through a fun pub quiz. This helps them recognise and understand potential criticisms of the EU and its institutions. A brief historical overview also helps participants understand where the EU’s difficulties stem from. 
 
Participants then split into small groups and are given a profile of a person X who holds a particular position, a point of criticism or a stereotype regarding the EU. Using a worksheet, the group attempts to identify the position of the fictional person X and engage in a fictional conversation with them. To this end, the small groups are given guidance on how to structure their arguments, but they also work out for themselves what they want to say to the person. These arguments are then presented to the group, and together they explore how to deal with clichés or counter negative statements. However, the aim is also to foster an understanding of where criticism of the EU is justified and what opportunities exist to engage in dialogue and have a say. After summarising the discussions together, a short communication training session will once again guide participants on how to respond to criticism of the EU.