European Summer School
Core training event for experienced Trainers from our network
Every year, experienced trainers from all over Europe come together in Germany and take part in a 4-day training program in order to become Peer Educators. Through participating in diverse and intensive courses, they are prepared for conducting trainings for trainers in their own project countries.
Participants learn about Understanding Europe ’s educational approach, related didactic methods and how these translate into our workshops on Europe, media and participation. In addition, they are coached on how to develop educational materials and how to adapt it to specific target groups.
European Summer School 2022 © Stefanie Loos
Peer Educators 2024-2025
Tatiana Mironescu
UE Romania
Being a Peer Educator means helping young people learn more about European topics and encouraging them to think critically. I decided to get involved in Understanding Europe because I recognized in non-formal education a way through which I can contribute to the positive development of young people.
Elisa Maria Bălinișteanu
UE Romania
Empowerment, engagement, and education — these are the pillars of what being a Peer Educator in Understanding Europe means to me. It’s about inspiring young minds to grasp the complexities of European institutions while fostering a sense of belonging and shared values. By facilitating dynamic discussions and encouraging critical reflection, I see it as a chance to not only inform but to ignite a passion for active citizenship and thoughtful leadership in the next generation.
Riccardo Rastello
UE Italy
Being a Peer Educator to me means being able to help young people get active and spread awareness on fundamental issues in their local young communities.
Marta Gemignani
UE Italy
Being a Peer Educator allows me to give back to a network I believe in. Understanding Europe helps build the Europe I envision, where people seek to understand complex issues, make decisions for the common good, and form relationships that break down borders.
Sélas Blyaert
UE Belgium
I'm looking forward to help our team grow in its educational mission. Being engaged in this international project, I hope to promote active citizenship, which is a vital part of a vibrant democratic society.
Anna Fernández Rivera
UE Spain
Tackling misinformation is crucial for me nowadays so being able to approach actively the European Union to young people and its values helps to cope with all the hoaxes that run freely through social media. However, not only do I believe in raising awareness on different conflicts that are going on within Europe, but also in giving basic knowledge to teenagers on what is the European Union and what can it provide us at a personal level, which I think is unclear to them in most cases. I'm so looking forward to being able to introduce new trainers into this organisation and giving them the chance to get involved!
Alejandra Carrillo García
UE Spain
Being a Peer Educator to me means having the ability to share and contrast knowledge with other young people about relevant topics that should be a priority within our current debates. I look forward to not only being able to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of the EU, but also meeting amazing people along the way that I’m sure will help foster a strong network in the near distance.
Manish Duta
Youth Peace Ambassador
It excites me to be part of an extensive and ambitious youth network that allows for follow-up collaborations between YPAN and Understanding Europe for better peacebuilding and active citizenship education.
Sara
UE Germany
It’s a about the commitment to drive positive change through political education and empowering young people to multiply their knowledge and bring Europe into classrooms.
Julius Koenitz
UE Germany
It means to me to lead by example for future trainers and to help them to be the best version of themselves. I want that we all share our knowledge & experiences so that we all can learn together and from each other. In the end the personal connections and the understanding are the most important factors.
Evita Pagona
UE Greece
I have chosen to become a Peer Educator because I truly believe that Understanding Europe's peer educational approach can shape the future of the youth in Europe. Being part of the network I have realized the importance of active citizenship and I would love to see more young people getting closer to this realization.
Roksolana Sandyuk
UE Ukraine
I really love the opportunity to be among my peers that have the same proactive position, that are concerned about future of Europe and democracy. Being a Peer educator means to me to have an opportunity to look for, gather and help young people. This is my way to have a say!
Yuliia Martynchuk
UE Ukraine
For me, this is an opportunity to increase the community of trainers and, together with them, to increase the level of knowledge in the team.
Johannes Beck
UE Austria
As a Peer Educator, I think it's great that I have the opportunity to work with young people and introduce and explain the concepts of a united Europe to them, and that I can share such ideas with my own team.
Leonor Nunes
UE Portugal
Being a Peer Educator ultimately means you play a vital role in sustaining democracy by equipping young people with the knowledge, tools and skills needed for active participation. By fostering critical thinking and informed dialogue, projects like Understanding Europe thrive, empowering the youth. This work ensures that democracy remains strong and continues to evolve with future generations.
Beatriz Coutinho Pereira
UE Portugal
Peer Education is a platform which allows one to be (not only self-involved) but to be keen on delivery. Additionally, by becoming a Peer Educator I have learned that through empathy it is most likely viable to improve knowledge and to ultimately rupture with pre-existing social and development barriers. Most importantly, Understanding Europe has been the voice and the eyes of the less privileged.
İrem Apaydın
UE Turkiye
I am looking forward to work together with other young people to empower the youth and equip them with the soft skills to make their future home a better place for everyone.
Monika Gabrielyan
UE Armenia
The European Summer School has always been a safe space for fresh insights, engaging discussions, and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. As a Peer Educator, I have the opportunity to give back to the network that has played a significant role in my personal and professional development.