Swedish BELC member promotes DiscoverEU opportunity in local media

BELC member Mikael Karlsson, deputy mayor of Värnamo, utilised the EU initiative, DiscoverEU to highlight this EU opportunity for 18-year-olds in an engaging manner through local media. Karlsson leverages the strength of his BELC membership to establish credibility as ‘EU spokesperson’ and engaging voters by demonstrating how EU initiatives directly impact citizens’ everyday life. 

This is an inspiring example, presenting how BELC members can use their unique direct access to EU news and initiatives to disseminate knowledge within their local communities. 

The core strategies for success in local media is to highlight current EU programmes that resonate with local groups to increase interest and engagement. The other ingredient is to utilise the BELC network for credibility, demonstrating that BELC membership can be leveraged to establish legitimacy and trust in EU matters. Thirdly, it is crucial to keep up continuity by regularly highlighting EU issues through the media, thus members build a stronger local profile. 

Local engagement by BELC members is crucial for enhancing understanding of the EU's significance in daily life. When local politicians actively communicate EU initiatives and their benefits, they contribute to building awareness of how decisions made at the European level affect local communities. By emphasising how the EU can open doors to new opportunities for young people and influence the local economy, municipal politicians can ensure that residents recognise the value of EU cooperation. 

“Our local media are always interested in EU issues when they have local or regional relevance. We value a good relationship with the local media. Thanks to that relationship and our transparency regarding EU matters, an interest is generated in these issues and projects, which benefits all parties – especially the municipality's residents,” said Mikael Karlsson.