How do we create dialogue in societies shaped by war, displacement, polarisation and disinformation? How can educators, artists, journalists, youth workers and civic leaders help rebuild trust and strengthen democratic resilience?
The Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education (EENCE) and Democratic Initiatives Incubator invite applications for the Regional Dialogue Academy "Dialogue for Resilience" - an international learning programme that brings together professionals from across the Eastern Partnership region and diaspora communities to explore new approaches to dialogue, civic education and community resilience.
From 22 to 26 September 2026, around 30 participants will gather in Vilnius, Lithuania, to learn from experienced facilitators, exchange practices with colleagues from different countries and develop practical ideas that can strengthen democratic participation in their own communities.
The Academy is more than a training course. It is a space for reflection, experimentation and collaboration with people who believe that dialogue remains one of the strongest tools for building resilient and democratic societies.
What to expect
Over three intensive training days participants will explore how dialogue can become a practical response to today's social and political challenges.
Together we will examine:
- facilitating dialogue in divided and polarised communities;
- trauma-sensitive approaches to education and community work;
- democratic resilience and civic participation;
- memory, identity and difficult conversations;
- inclusion, diversity and social cohesion;
- countering disinformation through civic education;
- designing participatory learning experiences.
The programme combines interactive workshops, facilitated dialogue, practical exercises, peer learning and collaborative design sessions that allow participants to immediately apply new approaches to their own professional contexts.
Who should apply?
We are looking for people who already work with communities and believe in the transformative power of dialogue.
We welcome applications from: educators and teachers; youth workers; civil society practitioners; artists and cultural practitioners; journalists and media professionals; researchers; community leaders; representatives of public institutions; facilitators and other professionals working in civic education and democratic participation.
Applications are open to professionals based in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Germany, Poland and Lithuania.
We also encourage applications from professionals from the Eastern Partnership countries who are currently living elsewhere in Europe but continue working to strengthen citizenship education in their home countries or communities.
Practical information
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Dates: 22-26 September 2026
- 22 September - arrival
- 23-25 September - academy programme
- 26 September - departure
Working languages: English and Russian.
Participants should be able to actively participate in at least one of these languages. Interpretation between English and Russian will be available during selected programme components.
Financial support
Participation in the Academy is free of charge.
The organisers will provide: accommodation in twin rooms; meals during the programme; learning materials; international travel reimbursement; transportation to the venue in Vilnius; the cost of a visa and insurance is within the travel reimbursement limits, where required. Detailed travel arrangements will be shared with selected participants.
Apply
Apply by July 30, 2026 at the following link: https://forms.gle/uL6G7y28UAcjPDti6
Questions can be addressed to: [email protected]
Regional Dialogue Academy "Dialogue for Resilience" is implemented by the Democratic Initiatives Incubator on behalf of the Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education (EENCE), in partnership with the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) and with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office.
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