The value of grassroots engagement as an important element of a democratic society

Mapping the situation in the D-EFFECT project, as outlined in one of its reports, focuses on the potential for democratic engagement among youth in the South Baltic region from a bottom-up perspective. This serves as a strong reference point, providing valuable insights.

Young people are seen not only as recipients of democratic education or future voters but, above all, as active participants in democratic life through their initiatives, organisations, local involvement, digital activism, and participation in public debate.

The report examines how youth in five countries across the region - Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, and Denmark - engage with democratic values, considering differences in political traditions, youth policies, civic culture, and forms of participation. Secondary sources, such as youth policy documents, academic literature, public-institution reports, and materials from youth organisations, were used to identify forms of participation beyond formal electoral politics, including youth councils, volunteering, civic education, and local initiatives.

The report also discusses barriers limiting youth participation, such as low trust in institutions, unequal access to information, social inequalities, and limited representation in elected bodies. A key part of the analysis is an empirical study conducted by the project partner Media Dizajn in Szczecin, which included 1,511 respondents from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The report’s goal is not only to describe existing participation structures but also to understand how to strengthen grassroots democratic engagement by creating conditions for young people to move from passive consultation to active co-creation. Examples of such efforts include transnational formats like Youth Democratic Festivals, which are part of a broader landscape of participation.