Politeia – A Source of Knowledge for Active Youth

Politeia Knowledge Hub for Active Youth

In October 2024, the Center for Democracy Foundation launched a one-year project titled ‘Politeia – A Knowledge Source for Active Youth’ (Politeia Knowledge Hub for Active Youth), with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade – Public Diplomacy Section.

Research indicates that young people in Serbia are insufficiently engaged in political and social processes, as well as in civic initiatives and activities. The main issues identified by youth in Serbia include education, employment, mental health, quality of life, housing conditions, values, intolerance, and insufficient freedoms. However, although young people feel that their voices should be heard, nearly a third of youth in Serbia are unwilling to participate in decision-making processes due to a lack of knowledge and experience. The level of trust in institutions is notably low, which makes informal educational programmes and participation mechanisms more appealing. Compared to other Western Balkan countries, support for the European integration process among youth in Serbia is lowest. Nevertheless, young people recognise that democratic values, such as the rule of law, freedom, gender equality, tolerance, human and minority rights, etc., are linked to the EU integration process.

As part of this project, through interactive Politeia courses, young people from Bujanovac and Subotica will be empowered with knowledge that formal education does not provide, enabling them to better understand the benefits of Euro-Atlantic integration for Serbia and its youth, the process of public policy creation, democratic procedures, institutional functioning, as well as media literacy and how to identify fake news. Additionally, through local debates in Bujanovac and Subotica, public dialogue on local youth policies will be strengthened among local decision-makers, youth, civil society organisations, youth organisations, media representatives, and other relevant stakeholders. At the final event in Belgrade, participants will have the opportunity to network, exchange experiences, and engage in discussions with institutional representatives on issues of key importance to young people. The goal is to raise awareness among both young people and decision-makers concerning the importance of youth participation in political and social processes at both local and national levels.

POLITEIA School is one of the most recognised brands of the Center for Democracy Foundation and is acknowledged as one of the leading informal educational programmes for young people, with over 1,800 participants to date. The first Politeia School for Civil Society was held in 1997, during which young people gained valuable knowledge concerning democratic and European values. Since then, hundreds of youths have been trained and motivated for active participation in social and political processes, thanks to excellent lecturers, interactive methods, and high-quality selection of participants.

Center for Democracy Foundation