WINTER DEMOCRACY ACADEMY
The Winter Democracy Academy is a flagship annual event that brings together young people, decision-makers, and democracy experts to explore, debate, and strengthen youth participation across Europe.
More than just a conference, it's a dynamic space where ideas turn into action — filled with interactive workshops, high-level discussions, and cross-sector collaboration. Focused on building a fairer and more inclusive Europe, the Academy empowers participants to connect, learn, and lead.
Whether you're a youth worker, policy-maker, or institutional representative, the Winter Democracy Academy is where democratic dialogue meets real change.
WDA in numbers
2
Editions
134
Participants
15
Speakers
10
Organisations
Winter Democracy Academy 2025
The third edition of the WDA is coming back with several activities, new partners and much more.
WDA Past editions
2nd Edition
WDA 2024
“Youth and Democracy, Bridging the Gap”
Activities:
- The International Conference “Youth and Democracy – Bridging the Gap”
- DYPALL Network Steering Group meeting
- DYPALL Network Assembly of Members ”Networking for Democracy”
- DYPALL Network Training course “Local Youth Councils (LYC) for Quality Local Democracies”
- DYPALL Network Training course “Phygital youth participation”
- Local Youth Work for Territorial Cohesion – Local PACT Advisory Group meeting
- “Values that move us: The European Union and its functioning” EU Parliament & European Commission Activities (Edf Jean Monnet – Lisbon)
- IPDJ “Big Y for Democracy: Youth trust on democratic institutions” Round Table
- IPDJ Seminar “Current Challenges of work with and for young people”
- IPDJ Gen Z Democracy Workshop
- IPDJ / Lisbon Youth Centre Exhibition “50 Years of Youth Policies”
1st Edition
WDA 2023
“Today’s Democracy Challenges”
10th – 16th December 2023
Activities:
- The International Conference “Today’s Democracy Challenges”
- IPDJ/Lisbon Youth Centre Podcast Studio Star Project “Thinking Human Rights”
- DYPALL Network Steering Group Meeting “Building Stronger Democracies”
- DYPALL Network Assembly of Members ”Networking for Democracy”
- DYPALL Network Partnership Building Activity “Building synergies for sustainable local democracies”
- Local Youth Work for Territorial Cohesion – Local PACT Advisory Group meeting
- IPDJ/Lisbon Youth Centre #Right to Have Rights IMPACT Project closing event
