Youth Participation and Democracy Award category

Together for Dialogue

Organisation

Fundacja Europejski Instytut Outsourcingu

Country

Poland

WEBSITE

https://www.facebook.com/FundacjaEIO

Project link

https://www.civicomp.eu

General Overview

Together for Dialogue is more than just a project – it’s a movement that puts young people at the heart of decision-making. It empowers youth to actively engage in their communities, develop civic competences, and build meaningful dialogue with policy-makers. Instead of waiting for change, we give young people the tools to be the change.

Our project was designed for youth aged 15-30, youth workers, and local decision-makers, with a focus on bridging the gap between young people and democracy. Many young people feel unheard, disconnected from local policies, or unsure of how to make a difference. Together for Dialogue tackled this by creating practical, engaging, and accessible tools to help them gain confidence, skills, and real influence in their communities.

What we achieved:

  • A Civic Competence Framework & Digital Self-Assessment Tool – giving young people a way to measure and strengthen their civic engagement skills.
  • Together for Dialogue – The Game – an interactive board game where players take on roles like Youth Leader, Mayor, and Journalist, solving real-life community challenges and experiencing structured dialogue in action.
  • A Photo Contest on Civic Activism – showcasing youth-led initiatives and inspiring others through visual storytelling.
  • An E-learning Platform – making civic education more accessible and helping young people develop the skills needed to participate actively in society.

What’s the project’s actual impact? Young people felt more empowered, better prepared, and more engaged in democratic life. Together for Dialogue is not just about theory – it’s about real experiences, real collaboration, and real change. Through dialogue, youth find their voice, take action, and make a lasting difference in their communities.

All results are fully useful and available on the project webpage.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

The project directly supports youth participation and democracy by transforming passive observers into active changemakers. Often, young people feel sidelined in decision-making processes, unsure how to engage with local governance. Our project provides them with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to step into democratic spaces, voice their ideas, and take action.

The project is about creating real connections between youth and decision-makers. We didn’t just talk about participation – we immersed young people in experiential learning where they took on leadership roles, collaborated with different stakeholders, and made strategic decisions that mirrored real-life civic challenges. By simulating structured dialogue through interactive learning, we gave youth the practice and confidence needed to navigate democratic processes in real life.

How we strengthened Youth Participation & Democracy:

  • Bridging the gap: We connected youth with local policymakers, enabling direct conversations and ensuring young voices are heard in decision-making.
  • Interactive education: Our Together for Dialogue board game helped youth understand the complexities of governance, negotiation, and community action in a hands-on way.
  • Practical tools for empowerment: The Civic Competence Framework & Self-Assessment Tool allowed young people to recognise their strengths and areas for growth, making civic engagement more accessible.
  • Youth-led activism: The photo contest and e-learning platform showcased and inspired real civic action, reinforcing the idea that every young person can make an impact.

The project proved that democracy isn’t just about elections – it’s about everyday participation, dialogue, and action. Together for Dialogue ensures young people don’t just hope for change – they become the driving force behind it.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

Together for Dialogue wasn’t just a project—it was a catalyst for change, giving young people the confidence, skills, and real opportunities to make an impact in their communities. Instead of waiting for a seat at the table, youth created their own space in the conversation, engaging with local leaders, shaping discussions, and driving initiatives that matter to them. The biggest impact? Empowered young people who are now more active, aware, and engaged in democratic life. Through interactive learning, dialogue, and hands-on experience, participants developed essential civic competences, learning how to negotiate, collaborate, and advocate for their ideas.

How we created change:

  • Young people became decision-makers: By stepping into the roles of local leaders in Together for Dialogue – The Game, participants practised real-life civic engagement, understanding how governance works and how to create change.
  • Confidence turned into action: The Civic Competence Framework & Self-Assessment Tool gave youth a roadmap to improve their skills and find their place in civic life.
  • New platforms for youth voice: The photo contest and e-learning platform amplified young people’s perspectives, showing that youth activism is visible, impactful, and inspiring.
  • Stronger communities through structured dialogue: We built bridges between youth, NGOs, and policymakers, ensuring that young people’s ideas didn’t just stay in the classroom—they influenced real conversations and actions.
    The true legacy of Together for Dialogue? A network of young changemakers who now understand their power, engage in their communities, and continue to shape democracy from the ground up. The project may have ended, but its impact lives on through the young people who are now leading the way.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

Together for Dialogue primarily focused on youth participation and democracy but also integrated environmental responsibility as a key aspect of civic engagement. The Civic Competence Framework highlights concern for the environment as a crucial value, encouraging young people to take part in eco-friendly initiatives, advocate for sustainability policies, and lead environmental awareness campaigns. To align with these principles, the project used digital resources like the Self-Assessment Tool and E-Learning Platform, reducing unnecessary printing. The Together for Dialogue board game was designed with recyclable materials to promote sustainability. Participants were encouraged to mobilise their peers for community-based environmental actions and to incorporate eco-conscious decision-making into their civic initiatives. The framework also supports youth leadership in environmental advocacy, reinforcing the idea that active citizenship includes responsibility for local and global sustainability. By linking democracy with environmental awareness, the project empowered young people to shape a greener, more engaged society.

Media

Additional material

Additional information

Have you applied before?

Yes

Did you win an award before?

Yes

Did you receive EU funding?

Yes

Source of funding

KA2 - Erasmus+: Cooperation partnerships in youth