Brussels, 20/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - School plays a key role in getting European youth involved in politics according to “EUYOUPART”, a study carried out in collaboration with the Institute for Social Research and Analysis (Austria) and institutions from Italy, Slovakia, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France and the UK. The project was funded by the EU's Research Framework Programme and collected data from 8030 young people (15-25) from 8 Member States. It provides a useful insight into how young Europeans understand politics and how they choose to participate. The study shows that schools are ideal for making young people aware of the merits of participation through student unions or political discussions in class and in initiatives such as the European Spring Day (see other article), which engage young Europeans in participating in political life, explains the Commission. The role of family and friends is equally important in bringing young people closer to politics, indicates the study too. (For complete information on the study: http: //http://www.sora.at/euyoupart ).