🚀Winter Democracy Academy 2025: Strengthening Youth Participation and Democratic Collaboration in Lisbon

In December 2025, from the 8th to the 11th, Aida Vardanyan from INEDNET NGO participated in the Winter Democracy Academy – Assembly of Members 2025, organised within the framework of the DYPALL Network in Lisbon, Portugal. The event brought together youth organisations, practitioners, and network members from across Europe to reflect on democratic challenges, strengthen cooperation, and shape strategic directions for the years ahead.

Opening Session: Setting the Stage for Collaboration

The Assembly opened with the official gathering of members. This provided space for updates on the DYPALL Network’s activities in 2025. Participants presented the planned priorities for 2026. These sessions enabled member organisations to gain a shared understanding of the network’s achievements and future ambitions. This reinforced transparency, accountability, and collective ownership—key democratic principles at the core of DYPALL’s mission.

Following these initial exchanges, thematic workshops deepened the discussions. They addressed strategic priorities for the upcoming period, including the DYPALL Strategic Plan 2026–2030, membership support mechanisms, and innovative “out-of-the-box” approaches to democracy. These sessions encouraged active participation and critical reflection. Members’ perspectives directly informed the network’s long-term vision.

Exploring Youth Policy and Civic Space

The programme also dedicated significant attention to youth policy and civic space. During the EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership workshop, participants explored the concept of shrinking civic space. They learned about practical tools that help youth organisations identify barriers related to legislation, funding, access to information, and freedom of expression or assembly. Together, these discussions highlighted the vital role of youth organisations in safeguarding democratic values and advocating for more inclusive civic environments.

Contributions to European Policy Processes

Another important milestone of the Assembly was the session on Members’ Contributions to European Policy Processes. Here, members engaged in discussions around a position paper on the future of youth programmes, including Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. They also discussed the upcoming European Youth Strategy 2027–2034. This session highlighted the importance of collective advocacy and the role of networks, such as DYPALL, in amplifying youth voices at the European policy level.

The Impact of the Assembly

Overall, the Winter Democracy Academy – Assembly of Members 2025 served as a dynamic platform for cooperation, strategic thinking, and democratic engagement. For INEDNET NGO, participation in the Assembly strengthened institutional connections and expanded opportunities for collaboration. It reaffirmed our commitment to promoting democratic values, youth participation, and meaningful civic engagement.

The experience in Lisbon demonstrated once again that strong networks and active dialogue are essential for building resilient, inclusive, and youth-centred democracies across Europe.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As we move forward, I encourage all youth organisations and media makers to engage actively in these discussions. Together, we can create a more inclusive and democratic society. Let’s continue to advocate for the rights and voices of young people. By working collaboratively, we can ensure that our collective efforts lead to meaningful change.

In this spirit, I invite you to explore more about our initiatives and how you can get involved. Together, we can make a difference!