PBA with Study Visit Elements on Democratic Transformation and European Values

Democratic values are increasingly challenged by polarisation, declining trust in institutions, disinformation and social divisions. At the same time, young people and youth workers are often at the centre of efforts to build more inclusive, participatory and resilient communities.

The activity will combine Partnership-Buildingd Activity with study visit elements. Participants will explore different perspectives on democratic transformation, exchange experiences from their own countries and learn from local Polish examples and organisations working with young people and communities. The Polish experience of democratic transformation and European integration will serve as one of the examples discussed during the activity.

The programme will create a space to reflect on questions such as: What makes democratic transformation sustainable? What role do young people play in democratic processes? How can youth work support democratic values? And how can youth workers respond to polarisation and other challenges to democracy?

The activity aims to:

• explore democratic transformation and its impact on young people and society;
• deepen understanding of European values and their relevance to youth work;
• reflect on the role of youth work in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship and social inclusion;
• explore different approaches and practices that support democratic culture among young people;
• exchange experiences and perspectives from different European contexts;
• critically reflect on the challenges faced by youth workers in increasingly polarised societies;
• provide opportunities to learn from local organisations and initiatives through study visits;
• support participants in developing ideas and approaches that can be applied in their own youth work and local communities;
• build a network of youth work practitioners interested in democracy, European values and active citizenship.

Study visit elements

The programme will included visit to selected local organisation working with young people and local communities. These visit will provide opportunities to connect discussions and theoretical perspectives with practical examples of youth work, civic participation and community engagement.

Profile of participants

The activity is aimed at youth work practitioners who:

• work directly with young people and/or are involved in youth work at local, regional or national level;
• are interested in democracy, European values, active citizenship and democratic participation;
• want to explore how youth work can contribute to democratic societies;
• are interested in learning through study visits and exchanging experiences with colleagues from other European countries;
• are willing to actively contribute their own experiences, perspectives and practices;
• are interested in developing approaches that can be applied in their local context;
• are motivated to continue exchanging and cooperating with other participants after the activity;
• are able to communicate in English;
• are 18 years of age or older;
• are able to participate in the full duration of the activity and contribute to the follow-up phase.