ACTIVATE - Autistic Community through Advocacy, Learning, and Empowerment
Empowering autistic youth across Europe for meaningful advocacy, inclusion, and social change
The ACTIVATE project — Autistic Community Through Advocacy, Learning & Empowerment — is a European initiative funded by the Erasmus+ Programme (KA220-YOU) that strengthens the voices of autistic youth and supports them in becoming confident self-advocates. Rooted in the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us”, ACTIVATE champions the rights, capacities and lived experiences of autistic young people, ensuring they are active participants in dialogues and decisions that shape their futures.
General Goals
ACTIVATE’s overarching mission is to empower autistic youth (typically aged 18-29) to advocate for their needs, contribute meaningfully to European society, and build networks of support, knowledge and leadership. The project aims to:
- Elevate autistic voices across Europe, providing space to lead advocacy efforts that influence policy, services and perceptions.
- Promote autism acceptance and societal inclusion, challenging stigma, and fostering understanding among broader communities.
- Build capacity for self-advocacy, equipping participants with practical skills, confidence, and digital competencies.
- Strengthen European cooperation, establishing sustained networks and a Community of Practice where autistic youth support one another regionally and internationally.
- Ensure meaningful participation in systemic change, enabling young autistic people to engage with policymakers, educators, health services, and employers.
By focusing on these goals, ACTIVATE seeks to lay the foundations for a more equitable and inclusive Europe where autistic people are visible, valued and empowered.
How Autistic Youth Can Engage?
We are running the international pilot Autistic Advocacy Academy for autistic youth in February-March 2026.
During this course, the young autistic advocates can:
- Participate in interactive training modules;
- Build skills in advocacy, campaigning, and leadership;
- Connect with peers and mentors from across Europe.
The pilot course is fully booked.
If you’re interested in attending similar courses later, get in touch!
Other opportunities to engage
Engage with the #MyAutismJourney campaign.
- Write your own post using the hashtag, or
- Send us your story. art, music, video – anything you would like to offer to inspire young autistic people. We will help you to edit the content, and share widely
Participate in Stakeholder Workshops
Coming up later this year
- Talk to European decision-makers together with other autistic youth, about topics that matter to you
- Structured workshops, supported by our facilitators
Main Activities
ACTIVATE has implemented a diverse set of activities designed to blend training, engagement and real-world advocacy experiences — all co-created with autistic youth at the center.
Development of the Autistic Advocacy Academy
The project’s cornerstone is the Autistic Advocacy Academy, a tailored training programme that builds capacity in self-advocacy, digital campaigning, community engagement and policy influence. Modules are interactive and accessible, offered online in English and partner languages to ensure wide participation across Europe.
The curriculum has been co-designed with autistic young people and experts, reflecting varied learning preferences and inclusive methodologies. A research component (including surveys and co-creation workshops) informed how the Academy is structured and delivered.
Digital & Public Campaigns
ACTIVATE’s dynamic advocacy extends beyond training to public awareness and empowerment campaigns. These include:
- Autism Acceptance Month Campaigns, celebrating neurodiversity and increasing public understanding. You can find various posts via #AutismMythVsFact, #AutismAcceptanceMonth, and #famousautisticpeople.
- #MyAutismJourney, a personal storytelling initiative that lifts the voices and journeys of autistic young people. You can read the collected stories here.
These campaigns spread key messages about acceptance and inclusion across social platforms and community networks.
More information on the project website:
The EUCAP Team
Seonaid Murray is an experienced coordinator and manager who has supported neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ youth in online and physical settings, developing adaptations and fostering inclusive environments. She has experience in designing accessible workshops, facilitating interaction and ensuring the welfare of participants in international digital projects.
Sofya Doyko is a student of Political Science at Charles University in Prague, with experience as a Research Assistant at the Institute of International Relations, as Communications Department Intern at the Civil Society Forum. She has assisted in conducting and presenting research, drafting and translating media releases and policy papers, organizing events, and providing administrative support.
Contact us & learn more
