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Empowering Malmö’s Youth: A Reflective Workshop on Democracy at Boost by FC Rosengård

Empowering Malmö’s Youth: A Reflective Workshop on Democracy at Boost by FC Rosengård

On October 29, 2024, Wellbeing Lab hosted another inspiring session of the “Do You Know YOUR DEMOCRACY?” project at Boost by FC Rosengård, a local initiative supporting youth in Malmö. This workshop, attended by 11 young adults, focused on personal empowerment, goal-setting, and understanding the role of democracy in both personal lives and society.

 

The session kicked off with an introduction to the project and an overview of the “bullseye framework”—a goal-setting tool that helped participants visualise their strengths and how they could use those to contribute meaningfully to their communities. They also participated in a creative exercise, envisioning their dream society and discussing the different forms of democracy that exist around the world.

 

An essential part of the session was dedicated to practical guidance on how youth can engage in local democratic activities, with information about Malmö’s study associations and their community-driven events. This provided participants with tangible ways to continue their involvement and learning beyond the workshop.

 

Returning attendees shared their appreciation for the session, noting how much more comfortable they felt this time. Despite challenges with attendance, the session’s interactive approach and meaningful conversations left participants motivated to further explore the idea of democracy and its relevance to their lives.

 

The Youth Hub continues to be a valuable space for Malmö’s young adults, encouraging them to reflect on their potential to shape a better, more democratic future.

October workshops of hub in Croatia

October workshops of hub in Croatia

On October 24, 2024, Carousel 8 held another engaging workshop as part of the Young Leaders Hub, where we explored the topic of politics and the possibilities for active youth participation in democratic processes.

 

Through interactive exercises and teamwork, we looked into politics in everyday life and discussed the importance of participating in decision-making. Political issues are often broader and deeper than the politicians themselves, and today’s youth play a key role in shaping a better society.

 

By comparing political decision-making to planning a party, participants saw how working together and making choices affects the whole group, making politics feel more relatable and understandable. Overall, the activity gave participants a more positive perspective on politics and empowered them to see their potential role in making a difference.

Training Course in France

Training Course in France

From October 04th to 14th, 2024, youth leaders from our partner organisations participated in the training course “Disinformation, media and manipulation with media in democratic societies and how to stay democratic in these time”. The activity took place in Avrillé-les-Ponceaux, France, and brought together 30 participants from North Macedonia, France, Sweden, Estonia, and Croatia. Event was organized as part of the ongoing EYT project, “Do You Know Your Democracy?”.

 

During these ten days, participants began with a warm welcome and activities designed to foster connections and share their hopes and expectations. They explored the city through a city hunt, which included team-building exercises and debriefing sessions. As the program progressed, participants delved into media literacy, discussing the role of social media in society and its impact on young people. They examined media’s influence on democracy, learning about media manipulation and practical fact-checking techniques. A focus on disinformation led to sessions on recognising fake news. Participants then created and delivered workshops, culminating in a TED Talk that inspired further discussion. The week concluded with a Community Day and activities aimed at creating visibility content, allowing participants to showcase their learnings and engage with young people in their local communities.

 

This activity was implemented as part of the “Do You Know Your Democracy?” project, an innovative educational initiative aimed at enhancing civic knowledge and engagement. Through this project, we strive to empower individuals by providing accessible, comprehensive, and engaging resources about democratic systems, processes, and values.

September update from hub in Croatia

September update from hub in Croatia

In September, as part of the Youth Leaders Hub and the project “Do You Know Your Democracy?”, Carousel 8 held two fun and educational workshops to help young people understand how democracy works and how they can be a part of it.


On September 3rd, 2024, we hosted the first workshop on topic – Democracy and Controversial Issues. We talked about what topics are considered “hot” or controversial in politics today and what political polarization means. Participants learned how to have positive discussions about difficult topics. The goal? To learn how to debate without conflict.


The second workshop, held on September 5th, 2024, was focused on Roles in Democracy. We explored how different roles—such as citizens, the media, and institutions—are important in making sure democracy works fairly and follows the rules of freedom and equality. Everyone has a part to play in keeping the government accountable and transparent, helping to ensure it truly serves the needs and interests of the people.

Active Citizenship – September 2024 update from Estonia

Active Citizenship – September 2024 update from Estonia

This meeting of our digital hub was all about active citizenship—what it means, why it matters, and how each of us can embrace it in our own lives. It was a lively session filled with insightful discussions, personal reflections, and some “aha” moments that left us thinking deeply about our roles as members of a community.

 

We began the meeting by exploring the basics—understanding how political and social systems actually work. It’s easy to feel disconnected from these structures, but as we talked, it became clear that knowledge is power. Participants shared their experiences of learning about how decisions are made in their local communities and beyond. Some mentioned the challenges of navigating complex systems, while others spoke about moments when understanding these structures helped them make a real impact. By the end of this segment, there was a shared sense of how important it is to know the “rules of the game” if we want to play an active role in shaping the future.

 

Next, we focused on the skills that help turn knowledge into action. From critical thinking to effective communication and even the art of organising, we looked at what it takes to participate meaningfully. This part of the session was hands-on and practical. Participants discussed times when these skills helped them solve problems, whether it was organising a community event, navigating a group project or simply speaking up in a meeting.

 

Finally, we turned to the heart of active citizenship: the values and attitudes that make it all work. Tolerance, respect, responsibility— the habits that shape how we treat each other and work together. Through small group discussions, participants shared personal stories of moments when these values were tested—whether it was handling a disagreement or standing up for what they believed in.

 

This meeting was a reminder that active citizenship isn’t about waiting for someone else to lead the way—it’s about stepping up, together, to build the kind of communities we all want to live in.

 

At the end of the meeting, participants also received information about upcoming LTTA event in France that is taking place in the first half of October.

Handbook 1: “Democracy, its importance and our local communities as democratic societies”

Handbook 1: “Democracy, its importance and our local communities as democratic societies”

This handbook is based on the Learning, Teaching, Training Activity (LTTA) “Democracy, Its Importance an Our Local Communities as Democratic Societies,” organized as part of the project “Do you know Your Democracy” The training course was held from 14.06.2024 to 24.06.2024 in Struga, N. Macedonia.

 

The LTTA “Democracy, Its Importance and Our Local Communities as Democratic Societies” was based on non-formal education and learning-by-doing methods. The activity provided participants with opportunities to shape their own learning expectations and outcomes while exploring their personal limits and potentials. It focused on enhancing the competencies of youth workers, educators, and teachers in topics such as democracy, grassroots activism, and democratic values.

 

The handbook is developed in the form of 10 educational workshops that were tackled during the LTTA activity and improved based on the feedback from youth workers. Additionally, sessions on introduction, team-building, and evaluation of educational activities are included to assist trainers in implementing these sessions in various learning environments, whether international or local.

 

We hope this material will serve as a valuable resource for youth workers, educators, and teachers. It can be a starting point for developing new projects and ideas or a tool for organizing educational sessions on democracy and democratic engagement.

 

Click on the image below to open the handbook.

Want to read materials in other languages?

 

They are also available in Croatian, Estonian, French, and Swedish. 

Click the image(s) below for the versions in other languages.

Pilot workshops by Learning Library

Pilot workshops by Learning Library

In September 2024, as part of the EYT project “Do You Know Your Democracy?”, Learning Library conducted a pilot workshop with youth leaders to gather feedback and finalize the handbook titled “Democracy: Its Importance and Our Local Communities as Democratic Societies.”

 

This handbook was initially developed in June during an international training session in Struga, North Macedonia. It comprises of ten educational workshops covering topics such as the meaning of democracy, utopian versus real-world democracy, grassroots activism, democratic values, building democratic communities, civic engagement on democratic issues, the significance of democracy, and the role of young people in fostering more democratic societies.

 

After all partner organisations complete their pilot workshops, the final version of the handbook is scheduled for publication in October 2024.

 

Keep an eye on the project website, to stay up to date with the news on this project

Youth Hub Empowers Malmö’s Young Adults to Connect with Democracy and Community

Youth Hub Empowers Malmö’s Young Adults to Connect with Democracy and Community

The recent Youth Hub at Boost by FC Rosengård on August 27, 2024, brought together young adults from Malmö to explore democracy in new and meaningful ways. Organised by Wellbeing Lab as part of the “Do You Know YOUR DEMOCRACY?” project, this workshop focused on helping participants reflect on their role within a democratic society and in their own communities.

 

Through a series of engaging activities, the workshop encouraged participants to connect with democratic principles on both personal and societal levels. The day began with a guided meditation accompanied by rosemary essential oil, inviting participants to centre themselves and imagine democracy as a value they can embody daily. This unique approach to democracy resonated with participants, many of whom were experiencing meditation and reflective practices for the first time.

 

The session included discussions on topics such as embracing diverse perspectives, cancel culture, and the importance of listening to differing opinions—a key aspect of healthy democratic societies. An inspirational talk on following one’s passions and exploring Erasmus+ opportunities sparked curiosity about studying abroad and pursuing careers connected to community and democratic engagement.

 

Each participant received a “Malmö Heart” poster as a memento and a reflective writing assignment to take home, encouraging them to think about what democracy and community mean in their lives. The Youth Hub received positive feedback, with participants expressing interest in future sessions, reflecting the workshop’s success in fostering a supportive and engaging space for young adults to connect with democratic ideals and envision their role in Malmö’s community.

Global perspectives of democracy – August 2024 update from Estonia

Global perspectives of democracy – August 2024 update from Estonia

The meeting began by reminding on the results of the previous meeting and additionally exploring the backbone of Estonia’s governance – its political structure. Using an engaging mix of visuals and interactive discussions, the participants navigated the country’s branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial. They explored Estonia’s parliamentary system, examining the role of the Riigikogu (parliament) and the presidency. The group was particularly intrigued by Estonia’s digital voting system, which led to an interesting conversation about technology in governance and the future of electoral systems worldwide.

 

Next, the focus shifted to how democracy takes shape in everyday life. Participants brainstormed key indicators of democracy, such as voter participation, freedom of the press, and civil liberties. One participant highlighted Estonia’s high internet penetration as a tool for promoting freedom of information, while another pointed out the challenges of ensuring equitable access to such resources. The discussions became personal when participants shared stories about what democracy meant to them, creating different perspectives that deepened everyone’s understanding of democratic pluralism.

 

The final segment brought a contemporary lens to Estonia’s democracy. Participants worked in small groups to analyse recent news articles and reports, uncovering updates on the country’s democratic processes. Topics ranged from the increasing role of youth in politics to Estonia’s stance on global democratic issues. This segment inspired participants to think critically about how current events shape the broader democratic landscape. This meeting wasn’t just a deep dive into Estonia’s democracy but it was a journey into the heart of what it means to live in and contribute to a democratic society.

How Estonian political system functions: July 2024 update from Digital Hub Estonia

How Estonian political system functions: July 2024 update from Digital Hub Estonia

On July 16, 2024, Learning Library from Estonia hosted its third digital hub meeting, engaging 19 participants in a deep dive into the Estonian political system. The session covered the structure of government, electoral processes, and the innovative concepts of E-Government and E-Democracy, culminating in discussions on local community involvement and online voting.

 

 

The third topic-based meeting of digital hub hosted by Learning Library in Estonia took place on 16th of July 2024, in duration of 120 minutes. In total 19 participants were present, out of wich 11 female and 8 male participants.

 

The topic of the meeting was understanding the Estonian political system. In the first part of the meeting, participants had a chance to explore overview of the Estonia’s government structure, learn more about electoral processes in Estonia, explore functions and roles of municipalities in Estonia. After the short break, participants learned and discussed about E-Government and E-Democracy in Estonia and voting online. In the last part of the meeting, participants discussed and shared their previous involvement in decisions-making processes at different levels and got practical information about possibilities to get more active in their local community.