It is worth recalling that D-EFFECT - Lessons in Civil Society Democracy, Bringing the Youth Perspective into the Policy-Making Process at All Levels in Accordance with the Youth Strategy 2022-2027, of which we are the leader, has been qualified by the Interreg South Baltic program as an Operation of Strategic Importance (OSI) project.
An online meeting on OSI was held yesterday, attended by implementers of the selected group of projects. The group included:
Ecomarinas 2.2. Promoting sustainable use of water
LIMIT 2.2. Promoting sustainable use of water
Circular Ocean-bound Plastic (COP) 2.3. Supporting a circular and more resource efficient development
D-EFFECT 4.1. Strengthen the cooperation capacity of actors based within the South Baltic Area (including civil society)
During the event, everyone had the opportunity to present the most important activities and expectations of the project. Participants were enriched with knowledge of the scope resulting from having the status of a strategic project, especially related to promotion and communication. A very important aspect of the meeting was also the opportunity to share visions of future activities or events and inspire each other.
D-EFFECT ROUNDTABLE IN ELBLAG
ROUNDTABLE IN ELBLAG - WE DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF YOUTH DEMOCRACY FESTIVALS! As part of the implementation of activities from the D-EFFECT project - Lessons in Civil Society Democracy, bringing the youth perspective into the policy-making process at all levels in line with the Youth Strategy 2022-2027, today in Elblag's Old Town Hall we met at a “round table” to plan future Youth Democracy Festivals together with youth, local government officials and NGOs! The program included such topics as: joint reflection - what is a democracy festival for us? inspiring examples of events from different intensive group work using the world café method thematic working teams (NGOs, local government, youth) voting on the name of the event and finally - concrete ideas, resources and actions for the future! In the spirit of collaboration, we created the first skeins of an event to inspire, engage and give a voice to the young! It was a day full of conversations, sharing experiences and building real youth influence on society. And this is just the beginning! The meeting was hosted by Karolina Pawlak and Michal Szostak - with energy, commitment and a smile
“D-Effect” project - Youth participation and democracy in practice
On November 28, 2024, the inaugural meeting of one of the activities of the “D-Effect” project, whose main goal is to activate young people through the development of civic participation and the organization of democratic festivals, was held at the “Światowid” European Meeting Center. The project was created in response to the needs of young people, resulting from consultations and workshops held over the past two years.
The initiative began with the idea of supporting cultural institutions and youth organizations. Over time, it evolved into a project promoting democratic attitudes and civic activism among young people. “D-Effect” includes activities in five countries in the Baltic Sea region, thanks to the cooperation of an international network of local governments, NGOs and Euroregions. Polish partners include the municipalities of Olsztynek, Dzierzgoń and Elbląg, as well as the Association of Polish Municipalities Euroregion Baltic and the Światowid European Meeting Center in Elblag.
The project emphasizes practical activities. One of its key elements are democracy festivals - spaces where young people can not only learn about the principles of democracy, but also co-create cultural and educational events. During the course of the project, participants will have the opportunity to see how youth participation works in other countries, such as Sweden, Denmark and Lithuania. The experience gained there will serve as inspiration to create local activities.
“D-Effect” is also an opportunity for international exchange of experiences. Young people will have the opportunity to participate in projects such as “Streets for Youth,” where young people plan the future of their cities in the run up to 2050. There will be pilot programs on sustainable development in Elblag and other locations, involving both youth and teachers.
The project is unique because it combines educational activities with practical support. It gives young people the tools to co-determine, create change and implement their own ideas for community development. The partners emphasize that “D-Effect” is a project created “for youth and by youth.” It gives the young generation a real opportunity to co-create the future - their own and their cities'.
We invite you to follow the progress of the project and participate in its events. More information coming soon!
D-effect promotion in UBC biulletin
Danish partner from Guldborgsuned started the promotion of the D-effect project. They used their cooperation with UBC - Union of the Baltic Sea Cities and in their bulletin you can find more information about youth.
The second day of the D-Effect conference has come to an end. Today, as on yesterday, we worked in two parallel groups. The project consortium dealt with formal issues and substantive issues, focusing on future project activities. Attention was focused on the various work packages in the project, accompanied by a lively discussion. A calendar of upcoming project activities and meetings was also planned.
At the same time, a group of young people participated in challenging, creative classes at the “Światowid” European Meeting Center in Elblag, preparing them for public speaking and working in front of the camera, among other things. The workshops for young people were led by Karolina Pawlak and Kacper Chyla.
We ended the meeting with a summary of the youth session, where young people gave a presentation on the competencies acquired during the workshop. Then we discussed further project work together.
Kick-off conference of the D-EFFECT project
We have just completed the first day, of a two-day kick-off for the D-EFFECT-Civic society democracy lessons, bringing a youth perspective in the eu policymaking at all levels in line with Youth Strategy 2022-2027 project. The event takes place in Elblag, the headquarters of STG ERB.
The conference began with a welcome section, followed by an overview of program requirements, reporting and financial issues were addressed. Two parallel group sessions were held throughout the event. The first brought together project partners, where issues related to the goals, objectives, expected results and work schedule in D-Effect were presented, as well as those related to methodology and inspiration for local democratic youth festivals. We also dealt with formal matters and communication and promotion of the project.
The second, parallel session was dedicated to youth and dealt with democracy and civic participation. Representatives of the younger generation made creative reflections on what democracy means to them, mapped their experiences of participation and talked about the methodology of youth democratic festivals.
Tomorrow we will continue to work on the formal side and the substantive side of the project, while the youth will face further workshop challenges.
