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Evaluation meeting in Zagreb

Evaluation meeting in Zagreb

From 30th November to 05th December 2025, project partners of the “DO YOU KNOW YOUR DEMOCRACY” project gathered in Zagreb, Croatia, for the evaluation meeting aimed at reviewing progress, sharing experiences, and shaping the future direction of the project. The meeting brought together 20 participants, two project staff members and two youth leaders from each partner organization, who have been actively involved in the implementation of activities, including LTTAs 1 and 2 and the Youth Leaders’ Hubs.

 

The evaluation meeting served as a space for partners to look back at the entire project journey: what worked well, what challenges emerged, and how these were successfully addressed. A special focus was placed on assessing the digital board/card game developed for young people, the main target group of the project. This innovative tool aims to strengthen youth engagement, participation, and learning in an interactive and accessible way.

 

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was a set of recommendations for future activities, sustainability efforts, and potential new projects. These insights will support the consortium in ensuring long-term impact and meaningful continuation of results beyond the project lifespan.

 

The evaluation meeting in Zagreb marked an important milestone in the project’s lifecycle. The constructive atmosphere, active engagement of youth leaders, and open discussions among partners reaffirmed the consortium’s commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative tools for young people. We thank all participants for their contributions, energy, and dedication and we look forward to building on this experience in future initiatives.

Learning Democracy Through Play: Testing an Educational Game Across Europe

Learning Democracy Through Play: Testing an Educational Game Across Europe

What if learning about democracy could be engaging, interactive, and fun?

Within the Your Democracy project, partners across Europe developed and tested an innovative digital board/card game designed to help young people better understand democracy, participation, and media literacy through gamified learning.

The piloting phase brought this concept to life — testing the game in real youth work environments and directly involving young people in its improvement.

 

Testing the Game in Real-Life Contexts

The game was piloted with more than 125 young people across five countries — Croatia, France, Estonia, Sweden, and North Macedonia.

Activities were implemented in:

  • youth centres and community spaces
  • Youth Leaders’ Hubs
  • online and hybrid environments

Each session combined gameplay with reflection, allowing participants not only to play but also to discuss, analyse, and connect the experience to real-life democratic processes.

Young people were actively involved in evaluating the game, providing feedback that directly contributed to its final version.

 

Strong Engagement and Learning Impact

The results of the piloting phase clearly showed that the game achieved its purpose.

Across all countries:

  • 87% of participants found the game engaging
  • 82% reported improved understanding of democracy and participation
  • 78% reflected more on their own role in society
  • 85% said they would recommend the game to others

The game also proved effective in encouraging discussion, with the majority of participants stating that it created space for meaningful dialogue and exchange of perspectives.

 

Creating Space for Dialogue and Reflection

One of the strongest outcomes of the game was its ability to open conversations.

In Croatia, participants reported feeling more confident expressing their opinions and better understanding how decisions are made in democratic societies.

In France, the game was described as a safe and neutral way to discuss complex social and political topics, helping participants challenge their own assumptions and explore different viewpoints.

In Estonia, online piloting highlighted the game’s adaptability to digital environments, while also providing valuable insights into usability and interaction in virtual settings.

Across all countries, the game helped young people connect abstract concepts like democracy and participation with real-life experiences.

 

Improving the Game Through Youth Feedback

A key strength of the piloting process was its participatory approach.

Young people were not just players — they were co-creators in refining the final product.

Their feedback led to improvements such as:

  • clearer instructions and simpler wording
  • stronger facilitation guidelines
  • enhanced reflection questions
  • better balance between gameplay and discussion

This ensured that the final version of the game is not only educational, but also accessible, inclusive, and engaging.

 

A New Approach to Learning Democracy

The digital board/card game represents a new way of learning about democracy — one that moves beyond traditional methods and places young people at the centre of the learning process.

By combining play, discussion, and reflection, the game helps young people:

  • understand democratic processes
  • develop critical thinking skills
  • build confidence in expressing opinions
  • engage more actively in their communities

Co-Creating Democracy: How Young People Designed an Educational Game

Co-Creating Democracy: How Young People Designed an Educational Game

How can complex topics like democracy and media literacy become engaging for young people?

Within the Your Democracy project, partners across Europe developed an innovative solution — an educational board and card game created together with young people, not just for them.

 

Learning by Doing

The project was built on a participatory approach, where young people were actively involved in every stage of development — from sharing ideas to testing and improving the final concept.

Through workshops, discussions, and collaborative activities, they explored democracy, media literacy, and real-life challenges such as misinformation and civic participation.

This process ensured that the final game reflects real experiences and interests of young people.

 

What Young People Want

Before developing the game, partners explored how young people learn and play.

The findings showed that young people prefer:

  • interactive and strategy-based experiences
  • teamwork and problem-solving
  • real-life topics like democracy, elections, and fake news

These insights shaped the game into something practical, engaging, and relevant.

 

From Workshops to Game Concept

Workshops across five countries brought young people together to co-create and test ideas.

Participants:

  • designed game scenarios and challenges
  • discussed real democratic dilemmas
  • tested different concepts and gave feedback

This collaborative process helped transform abstract ideas into a concrete and usable educational tool.

 

Learning Through Play

The final game places players in real-life situations where they must analyse information, make decisions, and understand their impact.

Through gameplay, young people:

  • develop critical thinking
  • recognise misinformation
  • reflect on democratic values
  • practice decision-making

Instead of simply learning about democracy, they experience it.

 

A Tool for Youth Work

The game is designed to support youth workers, educators, and organisations in making civic education more interactive and accessible.

By combining play and learning, it helps young people better understand their role in society and encourages them to participate more actively.

 

Why It Matters

What makes this project unique is its focus on co-creation.

Young people were not just participants — they shaped the final product. Their ideas and perspectives are embedded in the game, making it more relevant, inclusive, and impactful.

 

Looking Ahead

The game is now ready to be used in youth work and educational activities across Europe.

It shows that when young people are involved in creating learning tools, the results are stronger, more engaging, and more meaningful.

Because sometimes, the best way to understand democracy — is to experience it.

Click here to play the game

Reaching Young People Where They Are: Digital Campaigns for Democracy Across Europe

Reaching Young People Where They Are: Digital Campaigns for Democracy Across Europe

How do you engage young people in democracy in a digital age?

Within the Your Democracy project, partners across Europe answered this question by launching a series of creative e-participation campaigns on social media. Designed for young people aged 18–25, these campaigns aimed to educate, inspire, and encourage active participation in democratic life — directly through the platforms young people use every day.

 

Bringing Democracy to Social Media

Across all partner countries, campaigns were implemented on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, combining educational content with visually engaging and relatable formats.

The goal was simple but powerful:
to make democracy understandable, relevant, and actionable for young people.

Topics covered included:

  • what democracy means in everyday life
  • civic rights and responsibilities
  • the importance of voting and participation
  • media literacy and fake news
  • the role of media and algorithms in shaping opinions

Through videos, infographics, and interactive posts, young people were encouraged not only to learn — but to reflect, discuss, and take action.

 

Croatia: Opening Dialogue on Democracy and Media

In Croatia, the campaign focused on encouraging young people to reflect on their role in society and engage more actively in democratic processes.

Key themes included:

  • the importance of rule of law and civic rights
  • youth participation in elections
  • media influence and misinformation

With over 25,000 people reached, the campaign demonstrated that young people are interested in democracy when content is presented in a clear, relatable, and engaging way.

 

Estonia: Empowering Critical Thinkers and Future Leaders

In Estonia, the campaign placed a strong focus on leadership, critical thinking, and responsible digital behaviour.

Young people were encouraged to:

  • question information and recognise misinformation
  • understand different leadership styles
  • reflect on decision-making and problem-solving
  • identify media bias and emotional manipulation

The campaign reached nearly 40,000 young people, showing strong engagement with content that connects personal development with democratic participation.

 

North Macedonia: Promoting Active Citizenship and Media Literacy

In North Macedonia, the campaign highlighted the importance of active citizenship beyond voting.

Young people were encouraged to:

  • participate in community initiatives
  • stay informed and critically analyse information
  • recognise logical fallacies and manipulation in media

The campaign reinforced the idea that everyday actions — from volunteering to speaking up — are essential for building stronger democratic societies.

 

France: Understanding Media, Power, and Responsibility

In France, the campaign focused on media literacy and critical thinking through engaging and interactive content.

Participants explored:

  • media trends and their societal impact
  • disinformation and conspiracy theories
  • the balance between freedom of speech and censorship

Through debates, challenges, and creative formats, young people were encouraged to question information and better understand how media influences opinions and behaviour.

 

Sweden: Ongoing Engagement and Growing Impact

In Sweden, the campaign is still ongoing, focusing on youth participation, media literacy, and digital responsibility.

The content aims to connect democratic values with everyday life, encouraging young people to:

  • think critically
  • engage in their communities
  • stand against misinformation and online harm

 

A Strong Digital Impact

Across all countries, the campaigns have already reached nearly 100,000 young people — demonstrating the power of digital tools in promoting democratic engagement.

More importantly, they have shown that:

  • young people want to engage with meaningful topics
  • accessible and relatable content increases participation
  • social media can be a powerful tool for education and civic engagement

 

What’s Next?

The insights and results from these campaigns will be used to further develop project activities and strengthen future initiatives.

By combining education, creativity, and digital outreach, the Your Democracy project is helping build a generation of informed, critical, and active young citizens.

Because today, democracy doesn’t only happen in institutions —
it also happens online.

Fighting Disinformation: Young People Across Europe Strengthen Media Literacy and Democratic Thinking

Fighting Disinformation: Young People Across Europe Strengthen Media Literacy and Democratic Thinking

In today’s digital world, young people are constantly exposed to information — but not all of it is reliable.

From fake news to media manipulation, understanding how information is created, shared, and interpreted has become a key democratic skill. Through the Your Democracy project, young people across Europe are developing exactly these competences.

Following an international training on media literacy and disinformation, local workshops were organised across Croatia, North Macedonia, France, and Estonia as part of Youth Leaders’ Hubs. These activities tested the second educational handbook: “Disinformation, Media and Manipulation with Media in Democratic Societies and How to Stay Democratic in These Times.”

 

From Awareness to Action: Youth Leaders Addressing Media Challenges

After completing the international training in France, youth leaders returned to their communities and implemented local workshops adapted to their participants.

Through interactive and non-formal education methods, these workshops allowed young people to:

  • understand how media influences opinions
  • recognise misinformation and fake news
  • reflect on their own media consumption habits
  • practice critical thinking and ethical decision-making

The result was a learning experience that moved beyond theory — into practical, real-life application.

 

Croatia: Understanding Media Influence and Ethical Decision-Making

In Croatia, workshops engaged 25–30 young participants in exploring communication, media bias, and ethical dilemmas.

Participants learned how communication barriers affect understanding and how messages can be distorted. They also analysed current media trends and debated media policies and freedom in the digital age.

One of the strongest impacts came from discussions on controversial topics, where participants:

  • reflected on how media shapes public opinion
  • practised respectful debate
  • explored moral and ethical challenges in media contexts

The workshops helped participants become more confident in expressing their views while remaining open to different perspectives.

 

North Macedonia: Deep Dive into Media Literacy and Fake News

In North Macedonia, a three-day intensive workshop brought together 30 young participants to explore media literacy in depth.

Participants engaged in activities such as:

  • analysing media trends across Europe
  • identifying fake news and logical fallacies
  • exploring conspiracy theories and how they spread
  • reflecting on cyberbullying and digital behaviour

Interactive sessions helped participants understand how misinformation is created and why people believe it.

Participants reported that these activities significantly improved their ability to critically evaluate information and recognise manipulation in everyday media.

 

France: Debating Media Ethics and Understanding Manipulation

In France, workshops focused on critical thinking, debate, and understanding media systems.

Participants explored:

  • communication processes and media influence
  • media ethics and censorship
  • the role of bias and framing in shaping narratives

Through simulations and debates, participants experienced how media manipulation works in practice and how it affects decision-making.

Creative activities, such as expressing media perceptions through art, helped participants reflect on the emotional impact of media — adding a deeper layer to their understanding.

 

Estonia: Testing the Full Learning Experience

In Estonia, a three-day workshop brought together 25 young participants to pilot a large number of sessions from the handbook.

Participants appreciated:

  • interactive and discussion-based learning
  • opportunities to reflect on their understanding of democracy and media
  • collaborative group work that encouraged critical thinking

The workshops helped participants build a strong foundation in media literacy, while also providing detailed feedback for improving the handbook.

Some participants suggested:

  • clearer explanations in certain sessions
  • better structuring of discussions
  • more dynamic elements in specific activities

Overall, the experience was described as engaging, practical, and highly relevant for understanding today’s media environment.

 

What Young People Learned

Across all countries, participants developed key competences essential for democratic participation:

Critical thinking
Young people improved their ability to analyse information, identify bias, and question sources.

Media literacy skills
Participants learned how to recognise fake news, logical fallacies, and manipulation techniques.

Communication and debate skills
Workshops created safe spaces for discussing complex and sensitive topics.

Ethical awareness
Participants reflected on the responsibilities of both media producers and consumers.

 

Learning from Participants: Improving the Handbook

An important part of the process was collecting feedback to improve the educational materials.

Participants across countries suggested:

  • more time for discussions and deeper analysis
  • more interactive and hands-on activities
  • clearer structure in some sessions
  • additional real-life examples

This feedback will directly shape the final version of the handbook, ensuring it is practical, engaging, and relevant for young people.

 

Building Resilience Against Disinformation

These workshops are not just about learning — they are about building resilience.

By strengthening media literacy and critical thinking, young people are becoming better equipped to:

  • navigate complex information environments
  • resist manipulation and misinformation
  • actively participate in democratic processes

 

What’s Next?

The insights gathered from these workshops will be used to finalise the handbook and further develop project outputs, including innovative educational tools and future training activities.

One thing is clear:

In a world full of information, the ability to think critically is one of the most important democratic skills — and young people are ready to develop it.

Empowering Young People Across Europe: Bringing Democracy to Life Through Local Workshops

Empowering Young People Across Europe: Bringing Democracy to Life Through Local Workshops

What does democracy actually look like in everyday life?

For many young people, democracy is often something abstract — discussed in classrooms, seen in the media, but rarely experienced in a meaningful, hands-on way. The Your Democracy project is changing that by creating spaces where young people can explore, question, and actively practice democracy within their own communities.

Following an international training of youth leaders, local workshops were implemented across five countries — Croatia, North Macedonia, France, Estonia, and Sweden — through Youth Leaders’ Hubs. These workshops tested the first version of the educational handbook “Democracy, its importance and our local communities as democratic societies”, while directly engaging young people in the learning process.

 

From Learning to Action: Youth Leaders Taking the Lead

After completing the international training, youth leaders returned to their local communities equipped with knowledge, tools, and facilitation skills. Through Youth Leaders’ Hubs, they organised workshops tailored to local realities and participants’ interests.

This approach ensured that democracy was not presented as a fixed concept, but as something dynamic, relevant, and closely connected to young people’s everyday experiences.

 

Croatia: Learning to Disagree and Build Together

In Croatia, workshops brought together 35 young participants across three sessions focused on democracy, human rights, and active citizenship.

Participants explored questions such as:

  • What does an ideal society look like?
  • How does democracy function in reality?
  • What role do rights, laws, and responsibilities play?

One of the strongest outcomes was the development of dialogue skills. Participants practised discussing sensitive topics, understanding political polarisation, and engaging respectfully with opposing views.

Many highlighted that learning how to disagree constructively — while still listening and understanding others — was one of the most valuable aspects of the experience.

 

North Macedonia: Connecting Democracy with Real-Life Impact

In North Macedonia, workshops engaged young participants in exploring democracy through values and action.

Participants reflected on their vision of an ideal society and examined how personal values shape that vision. They then connected these ideas to real-world challenges through discussions on social entrepreneurship.

The workshops helped participants:

  • Understand how democratic values apply in everyday life
  • Recognise their role in creating change within their communities
  • See social entrepreneurship as a tool for addressing societal challenges

The experience inspired many participants to continue developing their ideas beyond the workshops.

 

France: Experiencing Democracy in Practice

Workshops in France focused on both understanding democracy and experiencing how it works in practice.

Participants explored different definitions of democracy and compared their own perspectives with institutional frameworks. Through debates and simulations, they engaged with topics such as election campaigns, decision-making, and the role of media.

These activities helped participants understand:

  • The complexity of democratic systems
  • The importance of ethical decision-making
  • How communication and strategy influence democratic processes

The interactive format made learning more engaging and allowed participants to reflect critically on how democracy functions in real life.

 

Estonia: Intensive Learning Through Full Handbook Piloting

In Estonia, a three-day intensive workshop brought together 27 young participants aged 18–25, including both experienced youth leaders and newcomers.

Unlike other countries, Estonia piloted a large number of workshop sessions from the handbook, providing in-depth testing and feedback.

Participants particularly valued:

  • Interactive and discussion-based learning
  • Opportunities to define democracy in their own words
  • Comparing personal perspectives with official definitions

These activities encouraged critical thinking, teamwork, and deeper understanding of democratic concepts.

Participants described the experience as practical and engaging, with some highlighting that it felt like a real-world simulation of democratic processes.

At the same time, their feedback provided valuable insights for improvement, including:

  • The need for clearer explanations in some sessions
  • Better structuring of discussions to ensure equal participation

Overall, the workshops created a strong foundation for continued dialogue and learning about democracy.

 

Sweden: Contributing to a Shared European Learning Process

In Sweden, Youth Leaders’ Hub activities also contributed to the piloting process, ensuring that perspectives from different social and cultural contexts were included.

Workshops focused on engaging young people in discussions around democratic values, participation, and community involvement, further enriching the collective learning process across partner countries.

 

What Young People Gained

Across all countries, several key outcomes emerged:

Stronger critical thinking skills
Participants learned to analyse information, question assumptions, and consider multiple perspectives.

Improved communication and dialogue
Young people developed skills for respectful discussions, especially on complex or sensitive topics.

Greater understanding of democracy
Democracy became more tangible — connected to real-life situations and personal experiences.

Increased motivation for participation
Participants felt more confident in their role as active citizens and more willing to engage in their communities.

 

Learning from Youth: Improving the Handbook

A central part of this process was collecting feedback from participants to improve the educational materials.

Young people suggested:

  • More time for discussions and reflection
  • More real-life examples and case studies
  • Additional practical exercises
  • Clearer structure and guidance in some sessions

This feedback ensures that the final handbook will be practical, relevant, and directly shaped by the needs of young people.

 

Building Democratic Communities

These workshops go beyond education — they are building the foundations of stronger, more inclusive democratic communities.

By empowering youth leaders and engaging young people directly, the project is creating spaces where:

  • Young people feel heard and valued
  • Dialogue and participation are encouraged
  • Democratic values are actively practised

 

What’s Next?

Insights from these workshops will be used to finalise the handbook and further develop project outputs, including innovative educational tools and future learning opportunities.

The message remains clear:

Democracy is not something young people should only learn about — it is something they should experience, shape, and live.

Debate on media literacy in hub in Croatia

Debate on media literacy in hub in Croatia

On December 19, 2024, Carousel 8 held a workshop on the topic of media policies in the digital age. Participants engaged in debates, taking positions on statements such as: Who is responsible for ensuring credible news – individuals or platforms?

 

Are traditional media more reliable than social networks? Is censorship justified in times of crisis?
Through the exchange of arguments and attentive listening to opposing viewpoints, we observed how constructive dialogue and critical thinking can contribute to a better understanding of information in the digital age.


Participants practiced speaking in front of others, sharing their opinions, and listening to different viewpoints. By working in groups, participants learned how to cooperate with others and hear different perspectives.

Understanding Communication Barriers – Croatian hub workshop

Understanding Communication Barriers – Croatian hub workshop

At the workshop held on December 5, 2024, as part of the Youth Leaders Hub, we discussed the role of media in everyday life and analyzed communication barriers through engaging activities.


Participants used games involving imitation, verbal description, drawing, and writing to attempt to convey messages to one another as accurately as possible. The results? Varied and amusing – they demonstrated how easily misunderstandings can occur in communication.


We also talked about everyday situations where we encounter communication challenges and how a better understanding of the communication process can help us receive and analyze information from our environment more effectively.
The activity was both informative and enjoyable, giving participants practical tools for handling communication challenges.

November update from hub in Croatia

November update from hub in Croatia

As part of the Young Leaders Hub, Carousel 8 held another workshop on November 7, 2024, and this time, we explored the topic “Human Rights and Active Citizenship.”


The goal was to encourage young people to reflect on what human rights mean to each of us, both as individuals and as a society as a whole, and how human rights and active citizenship are interconnected. We discussed which rights would be the hardest to lose and how human rights affect all of us.
By engaging in critical discussions, participants were encouraged to think about their role in society and how they can personally contribute to upholding human rights and democratic values.

 

The activity left participants more motivated to think about their role in advocating for human rights and contributing to democratic processes.

Leadership skills for young citizens – October 2024 update from Estonia

Leadership skills for young citizens – October 2024 update from Estonia

In our sixth digital hub meeting, we went into discovering what leadership really means. It wasn’t about fancy titles or big speeches—it was about discovering the kind of leader each of us can be in our everyday lives.

 

We started the session with a simple question: What does leadership mean to you? The answers were as unique as the participants. For some, it was about taking charge in tough situations; for others, it was about quietly supporting others. We agreed on one thing: leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all role. It’s about stepping up in ways that feel authentic to who you are and making a difference where it matters most.

 

Next, we turned the focus inward. Through a self-assessment activity, everyone got a chance to think about their own leadership style. Some people discovered they’re natural communicators, great at bringing people together. Others realised they shine when making thoughtful decisions under pressure. It wasn’t about being perfect—it was about recognising our strengths and areas to grow. Once we had a clearer picture of ourselves, we defined the skills that every leader needs: communication (how to speak clearly and listen deeply),  decision-making (learning to weigh options and act thoughtfully),  team-building (creating trust and a sense of belonging), conflict resolution (turning disagreements into opportunities for understanding).

 

We wrapped up the meeting with stories of leaders who’ve made a real difference, many of them young people just like our participants. These stories reminded us that leadership isn’t about age or status, but it’s about courage, resilience and staying true to your values.