BackYouth Democracy Festivals empower youth as the future of democracy
Through D-Effect project, young people across the Baltic Sea Region co-create Youth Democracy Festivals, strengthening civic participation, democratic skills and cooperation between youth and decision-makers.
Young people are often invited to discuss democracy, but rarely have a real opportunity to shape it. The Interreg South Baltic project D-Effect is changing this approach by giving youth an active role in designing and delivering democratic initiatives within their communities.
Implemented by partners from Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Lithuania, D-Effect promotes civic engagement through a practical methodology built around Round Tables, Youth Democracy Festivals (YDF) and direct dialogue with decision-makers. Rather than being passive participants, young people become co-creators of activities that address local challenges and strengthen democratic culture.
The project contributes directly to EUSBSR Policy Area Education Action 1, Fostering inclusive educations to prepare young people for future challenges, by fostering inclusive learning environments that prepare young people for future social, civic and democratic challenges. Through cooperation between schools, municipalities, civil society organisations and youth groups, D-Effect develops competences such as critical thinking, participation, collaboration and democratic responsibility.
A key result of the project is the D-Effect Toolbox, an openly available methodology supporting communities that wish to organise Youth Democracy Festivals and strengthen youth participation in decision-making processes. The toolbox captures experiences gathered across the Baltic Sea Region and offers practical solutions for municipalities, educators and civil society organisations.
One of the upcoming milestones will be the International Youth Democracy Festival in Elbląg, Poland, on 18-19 November 2026. The festival was co-designed through three intergenerational Round Tables involving young people and adults. Participants jointly shaped the programme, themes and format of the event, ensuring meaningful youth ownership. Discussions will focus on democracy, civic freedoms, health and disinformation, while one of the festival’s highlights will be the inauguration of the new term of the Elbląg Youth City Council. The event is organised by the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic and the City of Elbląg together with universities, public institutions, NGOs and local activists.
Looking ahead, D-Effect will culminate with the final Operation of Strategic Importance event in Hässleholm, Sweden, on 21-25 April 2027. Combining the Final Conference with the project’s largest-scale Youth Democracy Festival, the event will bring together partners and participants from across the Baltic Sea Region to showcase results, share lessons learned and strengthen the long-term sustainability of youth participation practices developed within D-Effect. By empowering young people to take responsibility, engage in dialogue and cooperate with decision-makers, D-Effect demonstrates how democracy can be learned through practice and how local actions can contribute to stronger democratic resilience across the Baltic Sea Region.
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