youth-led · Athens · est. 2024
Your passport to understanding Europe.
Know4EU is a youth-led platform for EU education and civic engagement. We explain how Europe works in plain language, then help you do something with it: vote, speak up, or join an Erasmus+ youth exchange.
Signature
KNOW4EU
YOUTH PASSPORT
EUROPE, EXPLAINED
ISSUED IN ATHENS
The bearer of this passport may ask questions about Europe, understand the answers and have a say in what happens next.
No. K4EU-2024-001
Every passport needs an official seal. Ours is a speech bubble made of 12 dots, a nod to the 12 stars on the European flag. Because Europe should be a conversation, not a lecture.
p. 01
We’re an informal youth group from Greece. The EU shapes a lot of your everyday life, from free roaming on your phone to studying abroad, so you deserve to understand it and have a say in it.
p. 02
Behind Know4EU are two people from two EU countries. We write our Erasmus+ projects together and share one goal: making Europe make sense for young people.
Cześć!Polish for “hi”
this is Christina!
Γεια σας!Greek for “hi”
this is Mikołaj!
plot twist: we met at a youth exchange. Proof they work!
p. 03
Three visas, one mission: making Europe make sense, then making it yours.
Short posts and explainers that turn EU news and jargon into plain language: what happened, why it matters to you, and what you can do about it.
We write Erasmus+ projects for young people, starting with youth exchanges, where young people from different countries live, learn and create together.
We push young people to vote, ask questions and show up where decisions get made. Your generation lives with these choices the longest.
p. 04
A youth exchange is a short Erasmus+ project where groups of young people from different countries meet, live together and work on a shared topic, like ecology, democracy or media.
Organisations share open places for their exchanges. We share the best ones on Instagram, and even more in our WhatsApp community.
Send a short application, then meet the rest of your national group online before you travel.
Workshops, outdoor activities, intercultural nights and a lot of new friends from across Europe.
Get your Youthpass certificate and bring new ideas back to your own community.
p. 05
Being an EU citizen comes with perks most people never hear about. Here are six worth knowing.
As an EU citizen you can live and work in any EU country, with no work permit needed.
Erasmus+ helps you study, train or volunteer in another country, with funding to support you.
Most of Europe is in the Schengen area, so there are no passport checks at internal borders. Still bring your ID.
The European Health Insurance Card gives you necessary public healthcare in another EU country, on the same terms as locals.
Bought something online from an EU seller? In most cases you have 14 days to send it back.
Living in another EU country? You can vote, and even run, in its local and European Parliament elections.
p. 06
Europe hides in the small stuff you use every day. Tap each thing to see how the EU shaped it.
Pick something. Small spoiler: the EU was there too.
Bottle cap
Caps on plastic drink bottles up to 3 litres have to stay attached, so they don’t end up as litter on beaches and in the sea.
Snack bag
Packaged food has to make the 14 main allergens, like nuts, milk, eggs and gluten, stand out in the ingredients list, usually in bold.
Euro coin
Every euro coin has a common side and a national side. The Greek €1 shows the owl of ancient Athens, and it works just as well in Lisbon or Vienna.
Cookie pop-up
Websites have to ask before they use cookies that track you, and you can say no. EU data rules also let you ask a company what it knows about you.
Boarding pass
If your flight is cancelled or lands 3 or more hours late, you may be owed €250 to €600, depending on the distance. Not when it’s caused by things like extreme weather.
Energy label
The A to G rainbow label on fridges, washing machines and TVs is an EU label. In 2021 the scale was reset, so the confusing A+++ classes disappeared.
0 of 6 spotted
All six! Now you’ll see the EU everywhere.
p. 07
EU-speak, translated into human. Three of these have “Council” in the name and they are three different things. You’re welcome.
There are 720 of them, elected directly by EU citizens every five years.
Proposes new EU laws and checks that countries apply them. One Commissioner per EU country.
Ministers from each EU country. Together with the Parliament, it votes on new EU laws.
don’t mix these upThe heads of state or government of the EU countries. They set the EU’s overall direction, but they don’t pass laws.
don’t mix these upA separate organisation of 46 countries focused on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
don’t mix these upApplies directly in every EU country, word for word, as soon as it takes effect.
Sets a goal for all EU countries. Each country then writes its own law to reach it.
The group of European countries with no passport checks at their shared borders.
At least 55% of EU countries, representing at least 65% of the EU population, must agree.
No match yet. Ask us on Instagram and we’ll explain it!
p. 08
Customs check! Eight things from everyday life. Declare whether the EU is behind them, then see the answer.
bet you can’t get 8/8
Is the EU behind this?
No roaming charges when you use your phone in another EU country.
0/8
p. 09
next destination
We’re working on what comes next for young people. As soon as there’s news to share, you’ll see it on our Instagram first.
p. 10
Meet young people from across Europe and learn by doing. When we open a call, we post it on Instagram first.
Confused by something the EU did? Send us your question and it might become our next explainer.
DM your questionYouth organisations, schools and NGOs: we’re looking for partners for Erasmus+ projects and youth activities. We’re registered in the EU’s Erasmus+ system and can share our Organisation ID on request.
p. 11
FAQ
is this only for EU nerds?
Not at all. If you’ve ever wondered what the EU actually does or why it matters to you, you’re in the right place. No background needed.
are you, like, part of the EU?
No. We’re an independent, informal youth group. We’re registered in the EU’s Erasmus+ system so we can apply for projects, but we’re not an EU institution.
how do I join a youth exchange?
We share open youth exchanges on Instagram, and even more in our WhatsApp community. Join it so you don’t miss one.
can my organisation partner with you?
Yes! Check “Partner with us” above, or email us at know4eu@gmail.com.
Seenjoin us
Got a question about the EU, an idea for a post, or want to partner on an Erasmus+ project? We’d love to hear from you.
You collected every stamp. You’re officially Know4EU-certified.