Mid-term meeting of the D-Effect project partners

On May 14–15, a mid-term meeting of the partners in the “D‑Effect – Lessons in Democracy and Civil Society” project took place. The purpose of the two-day meeting was to review activities to date, assess the progress of tasks according to the schedule, and discuss budgetary and communication issues, as well as the plan for the project’s conclusion.

During the working sessions, the partners reviewed the progress of task implementation, the financial status, and planned promotional activities. The discussions also covered the schedule for the next phases of the project and the mechanisms for monitoring and reporting results.

Closing Conference (OSI)

A key highlight of the meeting was the organization of the project’s Closing Conference (OSI—Operations of Strategic Importance Event), which is intended to serve as the culmination of the YDF (Youth Democratic Festivals) approach, based on the Round Table methodology. The conference is scheduled for March 4–5, 2027, in Hässleholm and aims to engage young people and create a space for dialogue among nations, generations, and sectors, showcasing the power and potential of civic dialogue.

Pilot Project During Almedalsveckan

The partners also discussed a strategy for promoting the Round Table and YDF methods in a way that is accessible to a broad audience, ranging from young people to those working with the younger generation and decision-makers. A pilot presentation of the methods is planned during Almedalsveckan (June 22–26, 2026)—Sweden’s largest event on civic participation. As part of this initiative, the partners will present jointly under the D‑Effect logo.

Conclusions and Next Steps

The meeting allowed the partnership to effectively summarize the first half of the project and coordinate activities for the coming months. Communication priorities, the schedule for preparations for the OSI, and tasks related to the pilot at Almedalsveckan were agreed upon.