Civic Action Summer School 2026

Young people are active and want to shape society and democracy with their own ideas and initiatives. At the same time, they often lack the opportunities, resources and access needed for engagement and participation. The Civic Action Summer School 2026 focuses on young people’s engagement. It explores the challenges and opportunities facing youth engagement and its protagonists but does not focus on purely academic exchange; instead it emphasises the practical empowerment of participants. It offers them tools and educational opportunities to further develop and implement their initiatives and engagement projects, thereby strengthening the diversity and resilience of democratic civil societies across Europe as a whole.

Programme

Over five (civic) action-packed days, the thirty participants can look forward to a wide range of exciting workshops focused on putting their democratic engagement into practice and strengthening it. Participants contribute their own topics and can thus actively help shape the CASS26. Space for the exchange of experiences and peer learning are further key elements of the event and, alongside stimulating keynote talks, contribute to enriching debates on young civic engagement. In Microproject workshops, participants can develop their own project initiatives, fifteen of which will subsequently receive micro-funding of up to 1,000€. By the end of the week, there will be thirty empowered, active members of democratic civil society – equipped with new skills, inspiration and international contacts!

Participants will receive detailed information on the programme and the offered workshops in advance.
 

Participation

A total of thirty people can take part in the CASS26. The application period runs from the 30th of April 2026 to the 4th of June 2026 at 4 PM EST. Eligible participants are

• from Europe and Israel, primarily from the Foundation’s target countries and regions, 
• who are aged between 18 and 35 during the event, 
• speak English fluently, 
• are interested in developing and implementing their own micro-project, and 
• have initial experience of civic and democratic engagement and wish to further strengthen and develop it.
  
   

Costs

Participation is free of charge. Travel expenses will be covered in accordance with the German travel expenses law (Bundesreisekostengesetz). Accommodation and meals will be provided.

Participation

Participant involvement is a key focus of the CASS26. This is reflected in the programme, for example in the Bar Camp, to which everyone brings their own topics and skills. Furthermore, interested participants will have the opportunity to help create content for the foundation’s social media channels. The concrete arrangement of that will depend on the participants’ interests.

Team

Young people are also participating in the team of trainers, in the form of two junior trainers who are using this opportunity to gain initial experience in facilitating such events. They will be guided by the two trainers of the CASS26.

Awareness and Code of Conduct

The event will have an awareness concept in place to ensure that the event is as pleasant and safe as possible for all participants and the team. Fundamental to the CASS26 is the Code of Conduct, which is made available to everyone in advance and is regarded by all those present.

This project was made possible by a donation from Matthäi Bauunternehmen GmbH & Co. KG. Thank you!