This event is set to take place in Lille, France, between 28 and 30 June 2024. 

+++ Register here before 3 May 2024 at 14h00 pm CEST (Brussels Time) +++

This event is organised for young liberals involved in communications (i.e. social media managers, communications team members, spokespersons, etc…) coming from member organisations of LYMEC or ELF, liberal interlocutors on the European level as well as members of the general public who fit the profile. In order to strengthen these liberal organisations, the participants will gain professional skills, learn from each other by exchanging best practices, and create a network for future cooperation and peer support! Young Europeans usually have good basics of digital knowledge, but not necessarily the skills to tackle the challenges that the digital era brings to democracy and how to support and communicate to their peers on these matters. 

We would like to support young liberal communicators in developing their skills, capabilities and network. Ensure that despite limited access to skills, human and financial resources or sufficient training, they get the chance to improve themselves and their organisations. 

We need to provide young people with the knowledge and resources to be strong communicators. Our aim is to teach how young liberal communicators can benefit from the impact of digital platforms, but also to be aware of the effects they have on political participation and democracy. 

The main objectives: 

• Provide participants with concrete tools and skills 
• Strengthen communication strategies and the professional use of social media platforms
• Create a Network of liberal communicators for peer support and networking 
• Craft liberal ways of tackling the challenges that the digital era has brought to democratic processes.

Applications: 

• Please complete the following form available here before 3 May 2024 at 14h00 pm CEST (Brussels Time). 
• The applicant must be a young liberal communicator between 18 and 35 years of age.
• Applicants cannot be candidates at elections (at any level of governance) before, during and 12 months after the event takes place. The European Liberal Forum does not accept any participant who is a candidate for an election with a scheduled election date falling between the start of the skill training and the final day of the programme. Should a participant in the programme take part in an election with a scheduled election date falling within 12 months after the final day of the programme, as a candidate or as paid campaign staff, the participant or participant's sending party agrees to pay a participation fee (representing a contribution relative to the services rendered by ELF). Should the participant run as an independent candidate, the participant agrees to pay the fee according to the country's campaign finance regulation.
• Staff or officials (in elected or administrative functions) of political parties participating in a skill training will have to pay a participation fee (representing a contribution relative to the services rendered by ELF). 

Participation fee: There will be no participation costs, meals and accommodation will be fully covered.

Travel reimbursement: There will be travel refunds by ELF after the event to at least partially reimburse your travel expenses to and from Lille. Participants must buy their own tickets and request a reimbursement after the event. Please keep all original receipts, tickets, invoices and boarding passes. If those are missing, the travel refund cannot be processed.

Participants need to be at least 18 years old at the start of the event. By registering for this event you agree to our updated privacy policy and understand that your personal data will be shared with the European Liberal Forum and hotels for administrative purposes. You also agree your name to appear during the online event to other participants and to a broader public during live-streamed sessions.

We are happy to look into alternative ways of participating in our events for economically difficult, disabled or less literate participants in order to maximise the opportunities for all. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to look into the possibilities available. 

The event is organised by the European Liberal Forum. 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.  

Events organised by European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) and ELF (European Liberal Forum) may be audio- and video-recorded as well as web-streamed. A photographer and/or a cameraman, contracted by LYMEC, may have access to the meeting room in order to take pictures and videos for communication and publication purposes. Videos and pictures taken by the photographer and/or cameraman, contracted by LYMEC, may also be published on the LYMEC website and on related social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.). They may also be used in other media and means of communication in order to pass on information about the event and activities of LYMEC. The European Liberal Forum might also use the pictures, video or audio in their communications. 

***Disclaimer: By registering for this event you give your permission for LYMEC and European Liberal Forum to use your picture in their promotional campaigns and materials and communication about the event. Please make it clear in advance if you do not wish your picture to be used by LYMEC or ELF.***