On April 8, 2025, our organization Youth for Equality successfully organized a local workshop titled Introduction to Democracy and Citizenship within the framework of the international project Youth DemocrAID, supported by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme of the European Union. The workshop was designed for high school students and focused on encouraging their understanding of democratic principles, civic responsibility, and active participation in society.
Through a variety of interactive, non-formal learning activities, participants explored how democratic systems function, discussed the challenges of disinformation and media manipulation, and reflected on the values that shape open, pluralistic societies. One of the highlights was a creative exercise simulating the spread of fake news, which helped students understand the impact of online content and the importance of media literacy.
Another engaging part involved a budgeting simulation, where groups had to decide how to fairly distribute public money across different sectors, fostering negotiation and teamwork.
The workshop concluded with a thought-provoking debate on freedom of speech, during which students exchanged diverse viewpoints on whether and when limits on free expression are justified. Throughout the day, participants demonstrated high levels of interest, critical thinking, and willingness to listen and learn from each other.
We were truly inspired by their curiosity and openness, and we believe that such experiences play a vital role in shaping informed, responsible young citizens. We are grateful for the opportunity to host this event and look forward to continuing our efforts in civic education through the Youth DemocrAID project.