Democracy Camp 2026 - Vic

In a nutshell

The Democracy Camp is your five-day intercultural exchange on youth participation, rights, inclusion, and Europe – and the interconnections between them. Join our community of 60 young people aged 16 to 26 years, residing in the European Union.

What does that mean exactly?

From 14 to 18 October, we will explore two guiding questions: What participation tools are available to me? And, how can I use these tools to promote a more inclusive and fair Europe?

Together, we will identify a wide variety of democratic best practices for the protection of rights, diversity, and the shaping of Europe. We will expand our understanding of political levels ranging from the city to the role of the EU. Also, we will advance the skills relevant for political participation and running successful campaigns in the future.

The main output of the Democracy Camp will be the Youth Participation Handbook 2026. It is co-authored by participants of the Camp, outlining ideas, insights and knowledge, as well as a practical guide for youth participation and recommendations for policymakers to improve the current state of youth participation in Europe.

What activities will we engage in?

• Digital Kick-Off (21 September at 18:00 CET): Here, we collect your ideas for topics, methods and anything else that's important to you regarding the organisation of the Camp. And, of course, you’ll get to know fellow Campers, and the hosts of the Camp: Democracy International e.V. and YouthBCN!
• Democracy Camp (from 14 to 18 October): In Vic, Spain, we will explore democracy and citizen participation across the EU. We will discuss concrete instruments, campaigns, and broaden skills relevant for effective participation. The Camp programme involves a day trip to Barcelona and a visit to the Catalan Parliament.
• After the Camp: We’ll publish our ideas for improved youth participation and promising tools to foster a democratic and inclusive Europe in the Youth Participation Handbook 2026. We’ll then send the Handbook to decision-makers across Europe, including Members of the European Parliament, to help bridge the gap between the EU and young people. You will also receive a Youthpass certificate to recognise your contributions after the Camp.

Are you interested in becoming a part of the Democracy Camp 2026 in Vic?

Register to join and meet other young Europeans in Spain from 14 to 18 October.

Who can join the Democracy Camp?

Participation in the Democracy Camp 2026 in Vic is free of charge for all young people! The organisers cover all costs, including your travel to and from Spain, up to 250€ for all foreign participants and up to 120€ for those within Spain. 

There are only a few criteria:

1. You must be between 16 and 26 years of age.
2. You reside in a country of the European Union.
3. You feel comfortable enough to speak English for five days.
4. If you are a minor, you’ll need the written consent of your parents.

We want our Camp to include as many diverse voices as possible, so applications from youth with fewer opportunities are given preference. 

Application

The application form will be open until 13 September at 23:59 CET. Applications will be reviewed and confirmed on a rolling basis. You should expect an update on your application status latest by 15 September. After you have been selected, we will contact you with further information on what we need from you.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us: Zdravko at kostadinov@democracy-international.org or Alexandra at nadal@democracy-international.org .