This cycle of trainings, developed within the scope of the youth Democracy Here, Democracy Now campaign of the Council of Europe (CoE), consisted in an online workshop lasting six hours - one day (on 27 September) aimed at a wider audience, and a 12-hour face-to-face training. This training was repeated once, taking place in two different cities in the north and south of Portugal - 24/25 October in Oporto and 7/8 November in Évora. The training was aimed at youth information workers, youth workers and young activists.

The objectives of these actions were:

• To reflect on the role that the digital world plays in promoting democratic citizenship and human rights values, as well as new communication tools and new approaches to involving citizens, namely young people.
• To approach new modes of participation based on online intervention and click-activism that allow creating new forms of political participation and civic engagement.
• To encourage participants to promote and participate in initiatives for the revitalisation of democracy and its values.

The programme of the training was:

1. Social activism on social networks, how to create campaigns and include young people. 
2. Planning a communication campaign on democracy.
3. Communication work trends from youth organizations to young people.
4. Advocacy communication campaigns and lobbying for political pressure through young people and youth brands.
5. Challenge in teams: Activation of social networks for participation, campaigning, and presentation pitch.

For the workshop, there were 48 registrations from all over the country, and about 40 participants. During the first in-person training, there were 25 participants in Oporto and 25 participants in Évora.  

The evaluation of the training by the participants was very positive, and the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre is collecting ideas and proposals for follow-up activities of the campaign, and the promotion of young people’s online participation in democratic processes.

Find out more about the work of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.