An exciting opportunity for around 50 youth activists, academics, and policymakers from all over the world who are working with young people on issues of reviving democracy to apply for "World Forum for Democracy 2025 - Democracy at risk: how can we revive it?" which takes place from the 3rd to the 7th of November 2025 at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, France. The World Forum for Democracy 2025 is organised and funded by the Council of Europe.
About the WFD 2025
The World Forum for Democracy is an annual event held at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg, France, bringing together policy-makers, scholars, activists, young leaders, and democracy innovators.
It offers a unique space for political leaders and civil society actors to discuss responses to major global challenges facing democracy. By exploring and evaluating experimental initiatives and practices, the Forum showcases and promotes democratic innovations at the grassroots level, encouraging their adaptation into broader systems. In doing so, it supports the ongoing development of more inclusive and participatory democratic institutions and structures.
The 2025 edition of the World Forum for Democracy will focus on the growing distrust in democratic institutions and processes, and how this erosion of trust threatens democratic legitimacy, stability, and resilience in the face of both internal and external challenges.
As citizens disengage from democratic systems—by abstaining from voting or reducing their civic involvement—the core freedoms that support democratic institutions become increasingly at risk.
This weakened state opens the door for populist and authoritarian forces to further dismantle institutional safeguards, compromise constitutional rights, and limit essential freedoms like free expression and the right to assembly.
WFD 2025 Objectives
The organisation and participation of the youth delegation in the World Forum for Democracy pursues the following objectives:
- To secure the meaningful participation of youth leaders and young people in all aspects of the World Forum for Democracy.
- To promote a youth perspective in the work of the Forum on matters related to democracy at risk.
- To identify and share current trends, concerns, and priorities of young people across the globe regarding democracy and the challenges it faces.
- To enhance intercultural dialogue and cooperation among young people within a framework of democratic participation and human rights.
Eligibility | Who can apply?
The youth delegation will bring together up to 50 participants who reflect the diversity of young people around the world and offer a wide range of perspectives on democracy, including those already engaged in finding solutions and developing ideas to revive democratic systems where they are at risk.
To be selected and participate in the World Forum for Democracy 2025, the youth applicants must be:
- Aged between 18 and 30 years;
- Able to communicate and work effectively in English;
- Actively involved in youth organisations or other civil society organisations working with young people on issues reviving democracy via new creative solutions;
- Motivated to share their experiences on democracy and to contribute to developing new ideas on reviving it;
- Available to participate in the entire duration of the World Forum for Democracy 2025 and in the preparation process beforehand (i.e., online preparation and onsite presence in Strasbourg, arriving on 2 November and departing on 8 November).
Selection Process
- This selection process ensures a balanced representation of youth delegates, reflecting diverse world regions, with a focus on participants from Council of Europe member states and giving priority to applicants with prior experience in Youth Department activities, which help build on existing engagement and strengthen the network.
- The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all candidates worldwide who fulfil the criteria mentioned above, regardless of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
Expenses and Benefits
- Travel expenses and visa costs will be reimbursed upon presentation of the relevant receipts, according to the rules of the Council of Europe.
- Board and lodging are provided and paid for by the Council of Europe during the dates of the activity (arrival on 2 November and departure on 8 November 2025). Participants will be accommodated at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg.
- The youth centre is accessible to young people with disabilities and is ready to adapt to young people's special needs to ensure full inclusion and quality working conditions.
Timeline
Application deadline: 4th of August 2025, 23:59 CET.
Arrival day: 2nd of November 2025
Youth Delegation: 3rd and 4th of November 2025
WFD 2025: from the 5th to the 7th of November 2025
Departure day: 8th of November 2025
How to Apply?
If you’re interested in joining the training program "World Forum for Democracy 2025", please complete the online application form as soon as possible. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting forum!
More Details
For additional information about the World Forum for Democracy 2025!, including project details and requirements, please check the participants' document from HERE
By applying to this forum, you take on the responsibility and risks. Inform yourself about the regulation and potential risks. "Opportunity 4U" can't be held liable for any of the potential risks, and this post is only for informative and popularising purposes.
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