Getting to Know the Institutions of the European Union

After watching the introductory video and answering the first questions, this is a good moment to take a step further and explore how the European Union is actually organized and what its role is. To do this, we suggest a simple and clear reading that will help you understand it better. What is the European Union?

Now that you are familiar with the fundamental values shared by the member states, let’s take a few minutes to reflect together and discuss the following questions:

• Which value do you think is the most difficult to uphold today?

• Which one do you consider most essential for Europe’s future?

• Do all EU countries interpret and apply these values in the same way? Why or why not?

Our goal is not to reach a single correct answer, but to listen to different perspectives, compare opinions, and understand how these values shape the lives of millions of European citizens.

Exploring the map of the European Union

In this activity, we are going to learn more about the countries that currently make up the European Union. The goal is to begin familiarizing ourselves with their cultural, linguistic, and political diversity.

Explore the map that shows all the member states. Pay close attention to their names, their location, and how they are distributed across the continent.

From Member States to Your Daily Life: Benefits of Being Part of the EU

After learning which countries make up the European Union, we will take a closer look at the advantages of being a European citizen and how the EU improves key aspects of our lives.

We will explore some of the European Union’s actions that directly affect our daily lives. We will use this official EU resource, where you can discover how European policies impact different types of citizens. Visit the page and browse through the various categories (young people, consumers, students, drivers, workers, travellers, etc.).

 What are some of the things that the EU does for me?

As a summary, we are going to watch a few short videos that visually explain what we have learned about the European Parliament and members of the European Parliament.

Current members of the European Parliament (2024–2029)

As you already know, the European Parliament is made up of representatives from all Member States, directly elected by the citizens. Each member of the European Parliament works to defend their country’s interests and to contribute to the common European project.

European elections are held every five years across all EU countries. You can vote for the people you want to represent you in Parliament.

To find out who represents your country in the current term (2024–2029), visit the following official European Parliament link:

👉 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/home

Explore the webpage and find out how many Members of the European Parliament correspond to your country, who they are, and to which political groups they belong. Will you be able to recognize them if you see them in Brussels?

2 | During the visit

Get ready to ask questions!

Throughout the tour of the European Parliament, you will have the unique opportunity to speak directly with the guide —and even with a Member of the European Parliament if our visit coincides with their schedule. Make the most of this moment: these are people who experience European decision‑making up close and can tell you things that don’t appear in textbooks.

Your mission:

📝 Prepare two questions you would like to ask.

They can be curiosities, questions, personal interests, or topics related to your future as a European citizen.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• What is the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of working in the European Parliament?

• How can young people influence the decisions made in Europe?

• What changes do you expect for the EU in the coming years?

Think about what you would really like to know.

This is your chance to ask questions directly to the people who make the European Union work!

3 | After the visit

What have we experienced and learned?

Now that we have returned, it is time to look back and think about everything we discovered during our visit to the European Parliament. We learned firsthand how the European Union works, who represents it, and what role we have as citizens.

To make the most of the experience, I suggest completing a few simple activities that will help us reflect on the trip and share our impressions with the group

Your mission:

📝 Complete the following self‑assessment and personal reflection activities:

1. Quiz:  EU & ME
   👉 https://learning-corner.learning.europa.eu/play-games/quiz_en#/dashboard

2. Diary/Blog/Video:

Create a short entry in the form of a diary, blog, or video in which you describe your experience during the visit to the European Parliament. Include some of the photos you took there to illustrate the most significant moments of your stay.

Guide for Your Reflection:

• What surprised you the most?
  It may be a space, an explanation, a person, or an unexpected feeling.

• What have you learned about European democracy?
  Explain which new ideas you have gained about how decisions are made, how citizens are represented, and what role the Parliament plays in the daily lives of Europeans.

Express yourself freely and personally. We want to see the visit through your eyes!

3. Final discussion:
   Reflect on how this visit has helped you see your role as a European citizen, so you can discuss it in class with your classmates:

Why is it important for young people to participate in European democratic life?

Share your ideas honestly and personally.

Your experience matters, and it will help us improve future activities and trips!