Dear ,
Once we start participating, we don’t stop. I can’t think of a better argument to describe the foundations of the Youth Programme we have been building at Democracy International over the past six years.
Young people are often described as the future of democracy. I have never quite liked that expression. They are not only the future—together with each one of us, they are already shaping our societies today. They bring fresh ideas, ask uncomfortable questions, challenge established ways of thinking and often have the courage to imagine solutions that we dismiss as impossible.
That is why, together with wonderful colleagues, partners, our committed community and hundreds of inspiring young people, we have built a youth programme that has grown far beyond what I initially imagined. Looking back just before I leave Democracy International to embark on a personal adventure for the next 12 months, I realise how much teen spirit has materialised in what feels like the blink of an eye:
We established international volunteering opportunities through the European Solidarity Corps and global mobility programmes, creating spaces where young people could contribute full-time to democracy while gaining valuable experience. These young democracy enthusiasts are at the heart of our youth exchanges, democracy festivals and trainings on democracy, human rights, inclusion and media literacy.
We expanded our annual Democracy Camp into our flagship youth activity. In each edition, 60 participants discover democratic innovations, experiment with participatory tools and leave with new friendships, ideas and the confidence to make change happen in their own communities.
Along the way, young people became an increasingly important part of our Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy and many of our other activities, not simply as participants but as speakers, facilitators, organisers and changemakers.
One achievement I am particularly proud of is the Youth Democracy Handbook, which we develop every year together with young people. It has become more than a publication—it is an advocacy tool that gives youth organisations, educators and policymakers practical ideas for creating participation opportunities that genuinely work for young people. Seeing these recommendations travel across Europe and inspire new initiatives has been incredibly rewarding.
Our journey has also been recognised beyond our organisation. Receiving third place in the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2022, helping establish the European Charlemagne Youth Prize Alumni Network, and becoming one of the three finalists of the SALTO Awards 2023 were milestones that reminded us that investing in young people's democratic participation resonates far beyond the projects themselves.
But if you asked me what I value most, it would not be the awards. It would be the messages from former participants telling us they started a local initiative, facilitated sessions they had never imagined leading, launched a campaign, joined local politics or simply found the confidence to speak up for the first time. Those moments cannot be measured in reports or indicators, yet they are perhaps the most meaningful impact of all. They proof that our work works.
And the story is far from over. Before the end of this year, we will launch our Youth Democracy Network, a digital platform connecting participants from many of our projects into a long-term community structure. Where youth can continue learning from one another, organise peer trainings, develop international collaborations and inspire the next generation of participants. Democracy International will continue supporting them through mentoring, selected training opportunities and recognition of the skills they develop along the way.
As this is my last newsletter editorial for a little while, I find myself feeling incredibly inspired. What we created over the past six years, together with all of you, definitely smells like teen spirit. But it also smells like TEAM spirit. I leave with enormous gratitude—for our community, colleagues, partners, volunteers and, above all, for the hundreds of young people whose creativity, courage and commitment have continuously reminded me why this work matters.
Because if the past years have taught me anything, it is this: when we trust young people, give them space and take their ideas seriously, democracy becomes stronger for all of us. |
