Strengthening Civic Participation and CSO Capacity in Slovenia
The Advocacy for Democracy Academy project, implemented by Pro et Contra, Institute for Culture of Dialogue, was launched in response to the pressing need to enhance civic participation and to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Slovenia. Against a backdrop of growing challenges to democratic engagement, the project targeted young people as key agents of change, providing them with the necessary tools, knowledge, and opportunities to participate in shaping their communities.
The project’s core activities included the establishment of the Advocacy for Democracy Academy as well as the creation of a comprehensive manual offering theoretical and practical guidance, the organization of eight local actions in various Slovenian towns, targeted training sessions for youth workers and teachers, and a national youth conference. The academy provided a hub for training young people in grassroots activism and advocacy, while the manual is a resource for civic education and youth work. Local actions addressed specific challenges faced by youth, such as mental-health support in schools, access to menstrual-hygiene products, and improvements in local transportation. Training sessions enhanced the skills of teachers and youth workers, and the youth conference provided a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange.
Several local initiatives illustrate the project’s impact. In Maribor, students organized a roundtable discussion on the housing crisis, analyzing national and international models as well as proposing policy recommendations, which were formally submitted to relevant ministries. This initiative highlighted the role of youth in policy advocacy and stimulated a governmental response.
In Kranj, students addressed transportation challenges by conducting a survey, forming a focus group, and engaging local authorities and transport providers. Their efforts led to ongoing negotiations aimed at improving student transportation services.
The Advocacy for Democracy Academy project demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted interventions in strengthening civic participation and CSO capacity in Slovenia. In combining education, practical action, and policy engagement, it exceeded its objectives.
Key lessons include the value of tailored training, the importance of supporting youth-led initiatives, and the need for enhanced communication with broader audiences.
The project offers a replicable model for fostering democratic engagement and for building resilient civil-society structures in similar contexts.
The project Advocacy for Democracy Academy (AJDA), supported by the Engaging Central Europe program of the Transatlantic Foundation, was implemented under the PROTEUS program and co-funded by the European Union.
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Transatlantic Foundation (TF) or the European Union (EU). Neither the EU nor TF can be held responsible for them.
