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

In December 2025, from the 8th to the 11th, Aida Vardanyan from INEDENT 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.

The Assembly opened with the official gathering of members, providing space for updates on the DYPALL Network’s activities in 2025 and the presentation of the planned priorities for 2026. These sessions enabled member organisations to gain a shared understanding of the network’s achievements and future ambitions, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and collective ownership: key democratic principles at the core of DYPALL’s mission. Following these initial exchanges, the thematic workshops further deepened the discussions by addressing 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, ensuring that members’ perspectives directly inform the network’s long-term vision.

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.

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, as well as 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.

Overall, the Winter Democracy Academy – Assembly of Members 2025 served as a dynamic platform for cooperation, strategic thinking, and democratic engagement. For INEDENT NGO, participation in the Assembly strengthened institutional connections, expanded opportunities for collaboration, and 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.