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Walk the Talk: Democracy in action!, Italy 2025

In June 2025, youth workers from Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Lithuania, Greece, and Romania came together for the Erasmus+ staff mobility project “Walk the Talk: Democracy in Action!”, organised by MAEK APS (Italy). Our organisation was proud to send three participants to this international initiative, which aimed to strengthen the role of youth workers in promoting civic engagement, democratic participation, and inclusion among young people.

The project took place along the historic Via degli Dei, a trekking route connecting Bologna and Florence. This immersive journey provided not only a physical challenge but also a symbolic space for exploring active citizenship, community-based democratic practices, and collective responsibility. The natural and cultural landscape served as a powerful backdrop for learning, reflection, and intercultural connection.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in interactive workshops, peer exchanges, and facilitated discussions with local communities and institutions. These activities offered the chance to address real-world challenges, share good practices, and design inclusive strategies to foster youth involvement in democratic life. Two collaborative actions were carried out with local stakeholders, focusing on awareness-raising, small-scale interventions, and storytelling initiatives that connected the group to the everyday realities of civic participation at the community level.

A significant outcome of the project was the creation of a “Manifesto for Participation” — a collective document summarising insights, methodologies, and concrete recommendations to strengthen democratic practices among young people. Each participant committed to bringing these strategies back to their home organisations, ensuring that the impact of the project continues at the local level.

“Walk the Talk” not only enhanced the skills, knowledge, and networks of the youth workers involved but also laid the groundwork for a stronger European network dedicated to participation, inclusion, and youth empowerment.

This professional development activity was co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme and supported by the Italian National Agency “Agenzia Italiana per la Gioventù”.