Call for participants!
Are you drawn to democracy but unsure where to begin? Do you feel overwhelmed by recent social and political events? Do you want to enact democratic change in a meaningful manner?
Don’t look further! IYNF’s Activity Democracy Lab, Exploring Threats, Initiating Change, is there for you. During this engaging week, you will:
- Refresh your understanding of what democracy truly means and looks like in practice
- Analyze democracy’s most current and pressing threats and why youth are particularly affected
- Co-create an effective social media campaign to instill democratic values and practices
This will be a unique learning opportunity to gain relevant knowledge from expert trainers from FARN, who specialize in education for nature conservation, prevention of radicalization and anti-extremism. They will explore concepts such as fishbowl argumentation, the paradox of tolerance, and fearmongering through interactive, non-formal participatory learning practices. Then it is time to act, in an immersive campaign-making process, and become a proactive democratic citizen! This training will provide you with skills to identify themes in current political and social events and to act in your own community.
Where and when?
- Naturefriends House Hannover, Germany
- 19th to the 24th of January, 2026
Who?
- From the ages of 16-30 years old (with some limited spots for people over 30)
- Involved in youth organizations and activism, and/or motivated to participate in democratic processes, social justice, and youth empowerment
- Have a good understanding of English
How much?
- 50 EUR for members/ 75 EUR for non-members (please let us know if this is an economic constraint)
What will it include?
- Plant-based meals a day with snacks
- Accommodation (shared rooms with 2-4 people per room)
- A five-day itinerary packed with workshops and activities
- Travel (please note that participation for the whole training is required for travel reimbursements)
Participation in this activity requires sustainable travel modes such as trains and buses. Exceptions can only be made if travelling from remote locations, where there are no green travel modes available, and only if approved beforehand by the IYNF team.
This activity is part 1 of a 2-part series focused on strengthening democratic processes. As it is designed as a consecutive learning process, it is important that you are also able to join the following activity, taking place from the 20th to the 24th of April in the Czech Republic. There, you will build on knowledge and skills for the first activity by centering on digital activism and workshop building. FARN will continue to lead the workshops with the support of a local Czech organization.
Apply here by 23 November, 23:59 CET.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to democracyreboot@iynf.org
Funded by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission