Young Changemakers’ Academy 2026
20 to 22 March 2026 - Athens, Greece
About the event
The first in-person event of the Young Changemakers’ Academy (YCA) 2026 aimed to equip participants with key skills in advocacy communication and project development.
The event opened with welcoming remarks introducing the European Liberal Forum (ELF) and the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC), followed by an overview of the Academy’s objectives and structure. Participants then introduced themselves and presented their advocacy projects, fostering a collaborative environment.
Key sessions throughout the programme included:
- Introduction to the Young Changemakers’ Academy and presentation of participants’ projects
- “Creating Change Through Projects”
- Thematic dinner discussion: “Renewing Democracy: The Role of Young Leaders in Rebuilding Trust”
- “Establishing a Personal Brand as a Young Changemaker”
- “From Activism to Influence: How to Approach Decision-Makers Strategically”
- “How to Plan Your Project”
- “Getting Your Message Across: Communications Best Practice”
- Feedback and milestone-building session
It combined interactive workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities, including thematic and social dinners, creating a dynamic learning environment.
Takeaways
The first session, “Creating Change Through Projects,” delivered by Yiannis Korkovelos (Podcast Host of BORO Series), stood out as an interactive and inspirational workshop. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their personal motivations and identify what drives their passion and commitment. The session emphasised the importance of storytelling in advocacy and explored strategies for turning ideas into action. A key takeaway was the understanding that sustainable change emerges not from individual efforts alone, but through collective action.
The day concluded with a thematic dinner discussion featuring Stefanos Kasselakis (Founder and President of Kinima Dimokratias Party), which provided valuable insights into the current state of democracy in Greece. The discussion focused on the challenges facing liberal democracy, the role of young people, and the
importance of strengthening participatory democratic practices. This meeting created an open and thought-provoking space for exchange.
After a short welcome to begin the second day, the programme continued with a session on personal branding delivered by Dimitra Papadopoulou (Political Communication Consultant).
This session encouraged participants to reflect on their values, identity, and personal motivations. A central takeaway was the importance of aligning one’s advocacy project with personal beliefs and strengths, as well as identifying a unique “X factor” that distinguishes each changemaker and enhances their impact. Participants also had the chance to reflect about online and offline presence when promoting your project.
This was followed by the session “From Activism to Influence,” led by Sean Bennett (Engagement and Events Officer, LYMEC), which guided participants through effective strategies for engaging with decision-makers. The session emphasised the importance of building long-term, trust-based relationships and highlighted the common characteristics of decision-makers across different contexts, enabling participants to better understand how to position their projects for influence.
Further practical skills were developed during the project planning session led by Alona Tatarova (Executive Director at the Institute for Fiscal and Economic Studies, IFES). Participants were introduced to methods for structuring their projects effectively, defining clear objectives, and planning actionable steps. This session provided a solid framework that participants could apply directly to the development of their own initiatives.
After a short break, Mariam Germisashvili (Junior Communications Officer, ELF) delivered a communication workshop focusing on the importance of clear, audience-oriented messaging. Participants were equipped with tools for crafting compelling narratives and communicating their ideas effectively, ensuring that their advocacy efforts can reach and resonate with the intended audiences.
Stay tuned for the second session of the YCA in Budapest, Hungary, on fundraising and stakeholder management!
The event was organised by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with the European Liberal Youth LYMEC. The event received financial support from the European Parliament. The sole liability remains with the organiser. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
The Young Changemakers' Academy 2026 Kicks Off in Athens!