Youth DemocrAID international seminar in Trnava, Slovakia

Within the framework of the Youth DemocrAID project, implemented under the CERV Programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values), an international seminar and a Training of Trainers were organised in Trnava, Slovakia.

Day 1: International Seminar on Youth, Democracy and Europe

The first day was dedicated to the international seminar entitled “Youth, Democracy and Europe: Shaping Our Future Together.”

Participants included international volunteers, representatives of the partner organisations involved in the project, and special guests from European Dialogue (a Slovak NGO), the European Parliament, and Youth for Equality (the hosting organisation). They came together to discuss issues related to democracy, youth engagement, and media education.

The seminar opened with a presentation by YouNet, which introduced the CERV Programme and outlined the main objectives of the Youth DemocrAID project. This was followed by a two-part discussion:

The importance of voting.
The first part of the discussion focused on the responsibilities associated with voting in democratic societies, particularly in the context of European elections. Speakers highlighted how European elections influence both national and local decision-making processes. The discussion also addressed why many young people feel disconnected from politics, noting that the average age of Members of the European Parliament may be a contributing factor.

Media literacy and democracy.
The second part of the discussion explored the relationship between media literacy and democracy, especially in light of modern threats such as disinformation and artificial intelligence. The importance of teaching media literacy in schools was emphasised, equipping young people with the skills needed to critically assess information and enabling them to support older generations in navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape.

The seminar was live-streamed, and participants were invited to provide feedback through the EUSurvey platform.

Day 2: International Training of Trainers on Non-formal Education and Gamification

On the second day, representatives of the partner organisations YouNet APS (Italy), Youth for Equality (Slovakia), Klaster Innowacji Społecznych (Poland), Citizen Crossroads (Greece), and GloUni (Portugal) gathered for a training session aimed at strengthening the capacities of educators, trainers, and youth leaders in the field of non-formal education. Facilitated by a trainer from YouNet APS, the Training of Trainers (ToT) focused on the role of gamification and innovative teaching methods in citizenship education.

Main topics covered

Principles of non-formal education
The session began with an overview of the principles of non-formal education, highlighting its flexibility and learner-centred approach.

Best practices in citizenship education
Participants shared examples and good practices from their own experiences, showcasing successful non-formal education initiatives that promote active citizenship.

Gamification in citizenship education
One of the key elements of the training was gamification, understood as the use of game-based strategies to enhance engagement in educational settings. Participants learned about various gamification methods and tools that can be used to make citizenship education more interactive and effective.

Facilitating debates
Another important skill addressed during the training was the structuring and facilitation of debates. The trainer discussed different types of debates and techniques to promote engaging, respectful, and meaningful discussions—an essential component of citizenship education.

Workshop design
Common guidelines and practical tips for organising effective workshops were also defined during the training.

Podcast production
Finally, an overview of podcast production was shared, outlining common rules and best practices to support their creation.

The two-day event represented a key step towards achieving the objectives of the Youth DemocrAID project, which aims to engage young people in the democratic future of Europe. The knowledge shared during the seminar and the training will be fundamental for the next phase of the project, which includes the development of workshop materials and the launch of a podcast to promote citizenship education.