The European citizens expect from the Conference on the Future of Europe to inject real and renewed impetus into the European process. The Conference is supposed to really kick off in the next months and become a new public forum for an open, inclusive, transparent and structured debate with citizens on a number of key priorities and challenges. It has to be a bottom-up forum, accessible to all citizens from all walks of life and from all parts of the Union and to reflect Europe’s diversity.

The international seminar "Improving European Democracy” to be held in Sofia from October 31st to November 7th 2021 will provide young people with knowledge and skills for active participation in the democratic life of the union and contribute to shape a vision how to improve the European democracy and reaffirm the concept of active European citizenship. The better young Europeans understand their rights as EU citizens,the more informed decisions they can take in their personal lives. This will lead to a more vibrant democratic life in Europe at all levels.

The participants will acquaint with the forms of civic participatory engagement between elections in the European policymaking as well as with the efforts of the European federalists to promote an inclusive model of the Conference that allows citizens to discuss the most pressing policies and institutional reforms, both necessary to rebuild trust in the European project. The ideas and knowledge generated during the seminar can be used by every participant and be implemented at local level.

The rich social program will enable the participants to explore the night life in Sofia, enjoy a horse ride in Vitosha mountain (optional) and visit the Rila Monastery, one of the most significant and picturesque monuments on the Balkans, part of the UNESCO book of world heritage.

Finally, the organisers will take all necessary measures for the health and safety of the participants.

AGE: 18-35

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES: EU Member states + UK, Norway and Switzerland

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT: Travel expenses of the participants to Sofia and the way back to a maximum of 275 EU

ACCOMMODATION: Double rooms in a hotel in the city centre provided by the organizers.

FOOD: 3 meals/day provided by the organisers

PARTICIPATION FEE: 75 EUR/PERSON

Deadline for applying: 9 October 2021

FOR MORE DETAILS AND APPLICATION FORM: nsc@scas.bg ; ehsofia@hotmail.com