Work Packages

This work package built a strong evidence base on youth civic engagement in Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania and North Macedonia, identifying the barriers, opportunities and perceptions of young people linked to policymaking, participation and anti-corruption. Through comparative research using an online survey, focus groups and validation workshops, it generated insights that inform national and regional efforts to include young people in governance processes and set the foundation for the whole project.

This work package offers university students and young activists introductory knowledge and discussion spaces on key governance topics, such as policymaking, the rule of law, transparency, integrity and participation. Through interactive national clinics, held in person, young people build a foundational understanding, exchange ideas and prepare for deeper engagement in democratic and civic initiatives.

This work package identifies, trains and empowers a group of motivated young leaders, the Youth Civic Drivers, who co-facilitate the Good Governance Clinics and help ensure their sustainability. Beyond facilitation, the Youth Civic Drivers help turn the Clinics into Civic Labs, spaces for continuous youth-led engagement, peer learning and democratic participation, where in the project’s second year they co-design and lead new civic activities.

This work package brings real-world experience of governance, democracy and civic engagement into direct dialogue with young people through a series of Governance Talks. By meeting public officials, civil society leaders, journalists and civic innovators, young people gain practical knowledge of the political and governance realities in their countries and the region, policymaking becomes less distant and their trust in institutions grows.

This work package helps young people share their civic experiences, democratic innovations and visions for good governance through creative storytelling. Participants learn to produce podcasts, blog posts, videos and social media campaigns that turn youth civic action into compelling stories, building their advocacy skills and the visibility of young people in public debate.

This work package immerses young people in an intensive, experiential civic education environment where they simulate real policymaking, legislative feedback and democratic advocacy. The Bootcamps give participants hands-on experience in designing civic actions, building policy proposals and working across sectors, moving them from awareness to action.

This work package supports young people in developing, refining and promoting the grassroots civic initiatives that emerge from the Bootcamps. Promising initiatives are selected and mentored in each country, so that young people can work together on improving laws, policies or governance practices, with the support of their peers through public discussions and advocacy activities.

This work package creates dialogue spaces where young people present their civic initiatives, research findings and policy recommendations directly to national and local decision-makers. The Youth-Institution Dialogue Forums build a culture of participatory dialogue, encourage institutions to respond to the perspectives of young people and support democratic reforms.

This online event explores how young people, civil society and institutions promote integrity and counter corruption across the Balkans and the EU. By sharing regional experiences and good practices, it encourages young people to engage critically with transparency initiatives and strengthen civic accountability.

Held online, the event is open to young people from the 5 project countries as well as from other EU Member States and the Western Balkans, fostering cross-border dialogue, peer learning and networking at European level.

This online event highlights civic monitoring tools, open government reforms and participatory models that make institutions more transparent and accountable. It inspires young people to engage actively in democratic oversight and to advocate for open, responsive governance at all levels.

Held online, the event is open to young people from the 5 project countries as well as from other EU Member States and the Western Balkans, fostering cross-border dialogue, peer learning and networking at European level.

This online event equips young citizens with tools and strategies to influence policymaking through consultations, legislative processes and participatory mechanisms. It showcases best practices and empowers young people to contribute meaningfully to lawmaking and democratic reforms in their countries.

Held online, the event is open to young people from the 5 project countries as well as from other EU Member States and the Western Balkans, fostering cross-border dialogue, peer learning and networking at European level.

This online event explores the power of digital technologies and civic tech platforms to strengthen democratic participation, transparency and citizen activism. It presents inspiring examples of how civic technologies can enhance public engagement and fosters peer learning on making governance more accessible and inclusive.

Held online, the event is open to young people from the 5 project countries as well as from other EU Member States and the Western Balkans, fostering cross-border dialogue, peer learning and networking at European level.

This online event presents successful practices in fostering inclusive democratic participation and in supporting the engagement of underrepresented groups, such as rural youth, minorities, women and LGBTIQ+ communities. It promotes inclusion and accessibility in democratic processes, highlights barriers to participation and explores ways to create more representative and open governance systems.

Held online, the event is open to young people from the 5 project countries as well as from other EU Member States and the Western Balkans, fostering cross-border dialogue, peer learning and networking at European level.

The online final conference celebrates the achievements of young people, showcases the outputs of the project and consolidates a shared youth vision for future democratic engagement. It brings together young participants, public officials, civil society organisations and EU actors to reflect on successes, lessons learned and the next steps.

This work package links national youth civic efforts to EU policymaking through an advocacy and study visit to Brussels. Youth representatives from the project countries meet EU policymakers, representatives of the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament and Brussels-based civil society networks, present the findings of their initiatives and offer youth-led recommendations on civic space, corruption prevention and participatory reform.