Milano. The Municipality is the leader of a project for young people's participation in voting.

Milano, 15 April 2024 – In view of the next ones European elections, which will be held on 8 and 9 June, the Municipality of Milano, together with the European Parliament Office a Milano and at the Institute for European Policymaking (IEP@BU) of Bocconi University (scientific partner), promotes and coordinates an awareness campaign to underline the importance of the participation of young Milanese citizens in voting.
The programme, inserted in the context of the institutional campaign to invite people to vote for the next European elections “Use your vote”, promoted by the European Parliament, is called “Vivo a Milano and I vote for Europe”.

"In view of the next European elections on 8 and 9 June – says Maurizio Molinari, head of the European Parliament Office a Milano – our priority is to promote citizens' participation in European democratic life thanks to the institutional campaign inviting people to vote 'Use your vote'. With a view to involving the citizens of Milan, we have decided to join the project of the Municipality of Milano in collaboration with Bocconi University to reach all municipalities, with a particular interest in those where high rates of abstentionism have been recorded over the years."

The project was designed with the desire to combat abstentionism, increase the awareness of citizens and inform them about how European policies and institutions impact everyday life, support a civic and non-partisan commitment of citizens, promoting the importance of voting and the participation of aware and informed voters and voters.

The campaign starts from a study conducted by the municipal offices on abstentionism in Milan. Based on this data, in agreement with the nine municipalities, the Municipality has identified the neighborhoods where to hold meetings with citizens.
THEBocconi University, through IEP@BU, will provide knowledge and information on the European Union and on the “Vivo a Milano and I vote for Europe”, also through multimedia materials.
The calendar of events, which will be held from April 22nd to May 13th, includes eight talks with an educational and informative style, designed for a young target curious to learn more about Europe, its institutions, policies and actions in favor of citizens and businesses of the 27 member countries of the European Union.
The meetings will take place in the areas where - according to statistical analysis - greater abstentionism has been recorded in recent elections. The meetings are designed with a high level of interaction and were organized across the territories, involving the nine municipalities and association networks. Each participant will then be distributed material with which they can explore and share the topics covered.

In addition to the talks, a training session dedicated to associations and local policy-makers/administrators is scheduled for April 23rd with the aim of spreading the "I live in Milano and I vote for Europe”.
On May 9th, European Union Day, a flash mob and a "Speed ​​date" will be organized at the Sforzesco Castle. A public event with the aim of informing and answering questions about Europe. For the Speed ​​date, stations will be set up where Bocconi experts and professors will sit and citizens will be able to ask questions to arouse curiosity but also to eliminate prejudices and misinformation regarding the EU.

A special map of will also be available in digital format Milano which highlights the main institutions, information centers and historical and cultural curiosities that link the city to Europe.
The map was created by IEP@BU and the European Parliament and will be accessible from the materials distributed to event participants via QR code and on the European Parliament's ad hoc website.

Map of abstentionism

Mun. 2, Padua: 50%
Mun. 3, Birago/Illyrico/Botticelli: 57%
Mun. 4, San Donato M3/Bonfadini/Toffetti: 77%
Mun. 5, Antonini/Ortles: 88%
Mun. 6, Black Bands/from Forlì: 82%
Mun. 7, Fleming/Selinunte/Pastonchi/Ticino: 67%
Mun. 8, Fourth Oggiaro: 63%
Mun. 9, Ciriè: 61%

The Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University has the mission of carrying out, discussing and disseminating research and analyzes on the main political issues facing Europe, and in particular the EU, its Member States and its citizens face in a rapidly changing world. With over 100 fellow researchers, the Institute is committed to defending the European ideal, in particular the unity and diversity of the EU, as well as promoting the rule of law, principles and values ​​enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of EU. IEP@BU is also committed to contributing to Europe's competitiveness, to the EU's influence in the world and to a prosperous, sustainable and fair future for Europeans, by promoting public debates and constant dialogue between different parts of European society through multiple awareness activities.

Public Affairs is a company specialized in the creation of social impact projects in collaboration with brands with the aim of supporting companies in the creation of projects that have a positive impact on communities and territories. This takes the form of continuously listening to the needs of communities to connect them with brands and design, develop and communicate projects with visible and tangible social impact.

Public Affairs put the Municipality of in communication Milano and Bocconi University, creating the synergy that allowed the project to enter the implementation phase, taking care of the organization and operational development of the entire schedule of events, taking care of mediation between the various parties involved.