Category: Events

Youth Democraid International Youth Forum: A Shared Youth Voice for Democracy

Within the framework of the Youth DemocrAID Education, Debate, Action project, co-funded by the EU’s CERV Programme, YouNet organized in the International Youth Forum, a dynamic event that brought together young leaders and partner organisations from five European countries.

The Forum became a vibrant platform where participants exchanged ideas, good practices and strategies to strengthen youth participation in democratic life and decision-making processes. Its objectives fully align with Youth DemocrAID’s mission: to empower young people through civic education, promote active citizenship, and foster a shared European identity based on democratic values.

The opening session featured inspiring speeches by Maciej Krakowiński, Secretary of the Czernichów Municipality, and Christian Jaworski, the youngest councillor of Cieszyn County, who both underlined the crucial role of youth in shaping public policies at local, national and European levels.

During the event, delegations from all partner countries including the Italian team coordinated by YouNet presented examples of how young people engage civically within their own contexts. These exchanges revealed the diversity of approaches and common challenges, such as limited representation and the need for more stable mechanisms for youth inclusion in decision-making.

A key highlight of the Forum was the “City of the Future” simulation game, designed by the Polish partner Social Innovation Cluster. Participants, working in teams, took on the roles of local decision-makers, identified key urban issues and developed innovative solutions. The activity proved to be a powerful educational tool, strengthening participants’ civic competences, teamwork and strategic thinking. It was so well received that it will soon become part of the project’s shared educational toolkit.

Another central moment was the moderated debate “Does the Youth Voice Matter?”, where participants from all partner countries reflected on the real levers of influence, barriers to representation, and the tools that can make civic action more effective. The discussion highlighted a shared conclusion: young people must be systematically included in decision-making, and institutions need to create permanent channels for youth co-creation and dialogue.

Through this experience, YouNet and its partners reaffirmed Youth DemocrAID’s commitment to Education, Debate and Action. Participants left the Forum with new insights, motivation and practical tools to strengthen democratic participation in their own communities and to continue building a more inclusive, youth-driven Europe.

2025-11-13
Seminar on “Youth, Democracy and Active Participation: Strengthening Our Voices”

On November 12, 2024, Trnava University became a vibrant hub of discussion and inspiration as 51 young people and students gathered for a seminar within the Youth DemocrAID project, funded by the CERV program. Organized by Youth for Equality, the event focused on the pivotal role of youth in democratic processes, exploring the impact of the Internet on political systems and youth engagement.

The seminar opened with an introduction to the Youth DemocrAID project by Mario Vrabel, a representative of Youth for Equality. Mario outlined the initiative’s mission: empowering young individuals to participate actively in democratic decision-making and shaping a more inclusive and resilient future.

The keynote session was delivered by Tomáš Kriššák, a political scientist and expert in combating online disinformation. A graduate of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Kriššák has dedicated his career to addressing the challenges posed by hoaxes and misinformation. During his address, he unpacked the complex relationship between the Internet and political systems, emphasizing the power of young people to influence political agendas and advocate for their rights.

Kriššák presented actionable strategies to enhance youth participation in democratic processes. He underscored the importance of fostering inclusive dialogue, using social media as a tool for advocacy, and developing media literacy to combat the spread of disinformation. In a world shaped by the digital age, understanding and navigating the online landscape is critical for youth who aspire to be active citizens.

The session also provided a platform for interactive discussion. Participants shared their experiences, challenges, and ideas for strengthening democratic engagement within their communities. Topics ranged from addressing apathy among peers to creating opportunities for meaningful involvement in local decision-making.

The seminar concluded with a networking session complemented by light refreshments. The seminar allowed participants to exchange ideas, forge connections, and explore collaborative initiatives aimed at fostering youth engagement in democratic life.

The event was more than just a discussion; it was a call to action. By equipping young people with knowledge and strategies, the Youth DemocrAID project is creating a ripple effect, encouraging them to take ownership of their role in shaping democratic societies.

2024-11-18
International Seminar in Trnava, Slovakia
On a 2 days event in September 19-20 2024, organized as part of the Youth DemocrAID project under the CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values) programme, an international seminar and a Training of Trainers were organized in Trnava, Slovakia.

Day 1: International Seminar on Youth, Democracy, and Europe

The first day was dedicated to the international seminar titled “Youth, Democracy, and Europe: Shaping Our Future Together.”

Participants included international volunteers, representatives from the partner organizations involved in the project and special guests from European Dialogue (a Slovak NGO), the European Parliament, and Youth for Equality who met to explore critical issues related to democracy, youth engagement, and media literacy education.
The seminar started with a presentation by YouNet, introducing the CERV programme and outlining the main objectives of the Youth DemocrAID project, followed by a two-part panel discussion:
- The Importance of Voting: The first part of the discussion delved into the responsibility that comes with voting in democratic societies, particularly in the context of European elections. Speakers emphasized that the European Parliament plays a significant role in shaping national laws, highlighting how European elections impact both national and local decision-making processes.It was also discussed why many young people feel disconnected from politics, noting that the average age of EU Parliament members could be a contributing factor.
- Media Literacy and Democracy: In the second half of the panel, the relationship between media literacy and democracy was explored, particularly in light of modern threats such as misinformation and artificial intelligence. It was emphasized the importance of teaching media literacy in schools, equipping young people with the skills needed to critically evaluate information, allowing them to support older generations in navigating the complex digital landscape.
Day 2: International Training of Trainers on Non-Formal Education and Gamification

The second day, representatives from the partner organizations, YouNet APS (Italy), Youth for Equality (Slovakia), Klaster Innowacji Społecznych (Poland), Citizen Crossroads (Greece), and GloUni (Portugal), gathered together for a training session aimed at building the capacity of educators, trainers, and youth leaders in the field of non-formal education. Led by a trainer from YouNet APS, the Training of Trainers (ToT) focused on the role of gamification and innovative educational methods in citizenship education.

Key Topics Covered
- Principles of Non-Formal Education
  The session began with an overview of the principles of non-formal education, emphasizing its flexibility and learner-centered approach.
- Best Practices in Citizenship Education
  Participants shared examples and best practices from their respective experience, highlighting successful non-formal education initiatives that promote active citizenship.
- Gamification in Citizenship Education
  One of the key elements of the training was gamification—using game-based strategies to enhance engagement in educational settings. Participants learned about different gamification methods and tools that can be used to make citizenship education more interactive and effective.
- Leading a Debate
  Another important skill covered during the training was how to structure and lead a debate. Trainer discussed different types of debates and techniques to foster engaging, respectful, and meaningful discussions, a vital component of citizenship education.
- Workshop Design
  The training also provided participants with guidelines and tips for organizing effective workshops.
- Podcast Production
Lastly, an overview of podcast production was shared, outlining common rules and best practices to support the creation of podcasts for the project’s upcoming series.

The two-day event was a crucial step in the Youth DemocrAID project’s mission to engage young people in shaping Europe’s democratic future. The knowledge shared during the seminar and training will be instrumental in the next phase of the project, which includes creating workshop materials and launching a podcast series to further citizenship education.
2024-10-01