Supporting youth civic activity by organizing international democracy festivals, workshops and exchanges that strengthen cooperation between social organizations and local governments.
D-Effect – Youth, Democracy, and Joint Action
D-Effect is an international project implemented under the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027, which aims to strengthen civil society by actively engaging young people in democratic processes and the lives of local communities. The project is based on the belief that democracy is best learned through action, collaboration, and real impact on the surrounding reality.
In the project, young people are not merely participants in activities, but co-creators. Together with representatives of local governments, social organizations, cultural institutions, and experts, they plan initiatives, conduct dialogue, and co-decide on the directions of action. This approach strengthens a sense of empowerment, develops civic competences, and builds lasting partnerships between young people and adults.
Methodology
The project's activities form a coherent educational and social process. They begin with Round Tables, during which young people, together with local partners, identify the most important needs and jointly design further initiatives. This is followed by Youth Democracy Festivals – events prepared by young people with the support of adults, providing a space for conversation, collaboration, education, and active participation in public life. A key element of the project is also Live Democracy Lessons, enabling face-to-face meetings with representatives of public administration, European institutions, social organizations, and individuals involved in democratic processes.
The project is international in nature and involves partners from Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, and Germany. Through cross-border collaboration, participants exchange experiences, learn about different models of democracy, and jointly develop solutions that can be used even after the project's conclusion.
Results and Impact
One of the most important outcomes of D-Effect will be the development of practical materials, tools, and recommendations that will help local governments, organizations, and institutions effectively engage young people in social and civic life. The developed method of Youth Democracy Festivals is intended to become a lasting tool supporting the development of civic engagement in the Baltic Sea region and an inspiration for further initiatives across Europe.
D-Effect demonstrates that democracy is not limited to elections or formal procedures. It's about daily collaboration, openness to dialogue, mutual respect, and shared responsibility for the development of local communities. Thanks to the involvement of young people, the project is building the foundations of a conscious, active, and responsible civil society.
