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Democracy Lab: Exploring Threats, Initiating Change

Training Course

19-24 January 2026 | Naturefriends House Hannover , Germany

This training will be focused on exploring democracy in its current state: how it is defined, who is involved, its most pressing threats, and what it means for youth. It will also be a chance to co-create a tool to implement in your community.

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.  

We are looking for people between the ages of 16-30 years (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.   

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.

Learn more about the training and how to apply here

Disclaimer!

Information about training activities reaches SALTO from the most different directions. SALTO cannot be held responsible for incorrect information or changes in the training activities. However, please inform SALTO, whenever you should come upon incorrect data in the European Training Calender. Always contact the organisers of the training activities themselves for the latest information.

Training overview

http://trainings.salto-youth.net/14143

This Training Course is

for 20 participants

from Austria, Belgium - DE, Belgium - FL, Belgium - FR, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

and recommended for

Youth workers, Trainers, Youth leaders, Youth project managers, Youth policy makers, Volunteering mentors, Youth coaches, Youth researchers

Accessibility info:

This activity and venue place are accessible to people with disabilities.

Working language(s):

English

Organiser:

International Young Naturefriends (Youth NGO)

IYNF is an international organisation bringing together Young Naturefriends and their organisations across Europe. With more than 120.000 young members organised in over a thousand local groups, it is one of the major European youth organisations.

Co-organiser(s):

  • FARN (Youth NGO)

Contact for questions:

Esmée Schimmelpenninck

E-Mail:

Phone: +420 234 621 573

Costs

Participation fee

50 EUR for Naturefriends members/ 75 EUR for non-members (please let us know if this is an economic constraint, as support is available)

Accommodation and food

Accommodation and food will be provided. 

Travel reimbursement

Travel costs will be reimbursed in accordance with the IYNF travel policy. More information can be found in the link provided in the description. 

Participants are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate from the organiser, for recognition of their competence development during the activity. Read more about Youthpass:

Youthpass Logo
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