The National Democratic Institute (NDI), in cooperation with the City of Wrocław, organized a Regional Youth Workshop on Political Strategies from 11-13 December 2025, bringing together young leaders from across the region to strengthen youth participation and influence in policy-making at the local level.
Among the participants was Almedina Dodić, WBN Youth Coordinator, who joined youth representatives from Kosovo, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine in exchanging experiences and best practices on youth engagement and advocacy.
Over two days, participants were introduced to Wrocław’s innovative youth engagement mechanisms, including the work of the Wrocław Youth City Council, participatory budgeting practices, and city strategies targeting young people. City representatives and the youth council leaders shared practical insights into how local governments can meaningfully include youth voices in decision-making processes.
The facilitators also shared Poland’s experience from 2023, highlighting how political changes affected the judiciary, media freedom, and public debate, particularly around LGBTQ+ rights and abortion. They emphasized the role of free media, local governments and cities, and civil society organizations as three key pillars in preserving democratic processes in Poland.
The workshop concluded with a discussion on the importance of dialogue, reflections on next steps, and the need for continued cooperation to strengthen youth participation in democratic processes.
