Youth4Democracy (Y4DEM)
It is a four day international training module for youth representatives of municipal youth councils or similar structures of those municipalities that have already sent participant to a Municipalities4Democracy previously. This training module is repeated several times allowing many local youth representatives to take part. It has been designed to support the improvement of youth participation in municipal decision-making and develop local democracy.
What to expect from this training course?
The aim the course is to further empower and inspire locally active young people to step forward in youth participation in decision-making and to be actors of positive change in their participation structure, and to build international cooperation.
Courses organised before: Lier (Belgium, 2023)
What is happening during such a training course?
The methodology is based on non-formal learning, which means we try to limit the number of lectures as much as possible and offer space and tools for participants:
- to share and learn about different realities and examples of the practice of youth participation in Europe
- to adequately assess their own situation and the local context to have a better overview and understanding of the real challenges and opportunities of meaningful and sustainable youth participation in decision-making
- to develop the personal competencies required for improving the opportunities and the qualities of democratic youth participation in decision-making
- to plan how to transfer their competencies to their own local reality / personal context and be ready and motivated to be actors of change.
- to discover how to use the Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps grants to develop activities and projects focusing on youth participation.
Who is this training course for?
This training course is for locally active youth — between 16 and 20 years old — who already have basic knowledge and experience of youth participation in decision-making and are motivated to support their municipalities' development in this field.
When and how can I apply ?
This training module is organised at least once a year and hosted by one of the partnering Erasmus+ Youth agencies in one of the European countries. The actual calls for participants are always published in the News section. And you can sign up for the Newsletter to receive the most up-to-date information about calls.
When and how can I apply?
This training module is organized 1-4 times every year in different European countries, hosted by an Erasmus+ Youth national agency. You can find the calls for participants for the upcoming editions in the News section.
The training course lasts 4 full days, plus an arrival and a departure day. The participation is free of charge, accommodation in single hotel rooms and meals from dinner of the arrival day to the breakfast of the departure day are covered by the host agency. Travel costs are reimboursed by the sending Erasmus+ Youth national agency, you should contact them for details. You have to submit your application through the SALTO website, the link is included in each call for participants in the News secttion.
The training course is based on non-formal education principles, that requires your active participation and interaction with the other 25 young participants. It is a safe learning space where all participants have similar profile and represent a local or regional municipal youth structures. The activity is facilitated by two-three Democracy Reloading trainers who are trained for program and expereinced in the field of democratic youth participation. Each program day is dedicated to one of the four key tasks of the Democracy Reloading program.
I absolutely loved this experience and would love to continue participating in likewise trainings.
I've learned a lot about why we should bring the youth into decision making, and the ladder was very important for me, to help me get a better understanding of where my community stands. I also really liked the simulation game, and learned about the importance of lobbying.
I have learnt how to more actively participate in my municipality, because we have many opportunities and rights to do this. I really liked when other participants showed their ideas and programs. I also enjoyed simulation game, where we have been presented how is to be in other people skin and how can we win the argument, especially I liked part after activity where we talked about it and learn a lot of useful things.