Learning Democracy by Doing

Rather than approaching democracy as a theoretical subject, Fact & Act encouraged participants to experience democratic processes firsthand.

Through a combination of international mobilities, interactive workshops, online seminars, debates, and practical simulations, young people explored how political decisions are made, how disinformation influences public opinion, and how they can become active contributors to democratic life.

The project included five main activities:

1. Fighting Disinformation – Czech Republic: An international mobility focused on media literacy, critical thinking, research, and identifying misleading information.

2. European Parliament Online Seminar: An opportunity to explore European institutions, understand their responsibilities, and discover how young people can influence policymaking.

3. Youth Hackathon on Disinformation: An interactive online event where participants collaborated across borders to develop practical ideas for addressing misinformation and strengthening democratic awareness.

4. European Parliament Simulation – Sint Maarten: Participants stepped into the roles of policymakers, engaged in debates, negotiated different perspectives, and developed policy recommendations addressing contemporary democratic challenges.

5. Final Conference and Policy Presentation: An online event bringing together young participants and decision-makers to discuss the project's outcomes and present recommendations for more inclusive and transparent democratic processes.

Bringing European Democratic Dialogue to the Caribbean

One of the project's highlights was the international mobility hosted in Sint Maarten, connecting Caribbean and European perspectives on democracy.

During the European Parliament simulation, young people experienced the complexities of political negotiations, representation, compromise, and collective decision-making. Working in international teams, they examined issues ranging from digital transformation and human rights to education, responsible political communication, and youth participation.

For CECF, hosting this activity represented an opportunity to strengthen connections between Sint Maarten and European youth organisations while demonstrating that geographical distance should not limit access to international learning and democratic engagement.

The mobility also encouraged participants to compare different political and social realities, recognise common challenges, and appreciate the importance of diverse perspectives in democratic discussions.

Turning Ideas into Policy Recommendations

Fact & Act was designed not only to raise awareness but also to encourage concrete action.

Throughout the project, participants worked together to develop policy recommendations focused on combating disinformation, promoting media literacy, improving communication between institutions and young citizens, and creating more accessible opportunities for youth participation.

These recommendations were presented during the project's final online conference, which also featured Christopher Wever, Member of Parliament and First Vice President of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, as a guest speaker.

The discussion provided young people with an opportunity to communicate their concerns directly to a political representative, receive feedback on their proposals, and better understand how youth-generated ideas can contribute to wider policy discussions.

A particularly important topic was the responsibility of political representatives to communicate accurately and transparently, especially in an era when social media significantly influences public opinion.

Participants also highlighted the need for youth-friendly political communication, stronger fact-checking practices, and more consistent opportunities for young people to engage with decision-makers beyond election periods.

Building Skills Beyond the Project

Beyond developing knowledge of democratic institutions, Fact & Act helped participants strengthen a range of practical competences, including critical thinking, media literacy, public speaking, negotiation, intercultural communication, teamwork, and leadership.

The project demonstrated how non-formal education can transform complex political topics into accessible, engaging learning experiences.

Through cooperation across different countries and cultures, participants also developed international connections and a stronger understanding of their responsibilities and opportunities as active citizens.

A Continued Commitment to Youth Participation

For the Caribbean Education and Culture Foundation, Fact & Act reflects our commitment to empowering young people through education, international cooperation, and meaningful participation in society.

We believe that young people should not simply be informed about decisions affecting their communities. They should have opportunities to question, contribute, propose solutions, and take part in shaping those decisions.

The project has concluded, but its message remains relevant:

Democracy becomes stronger when young people have the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to participate.

Through initiatives such as Fact & Act, CECF continues to promote a future in which young voices are not only heard but actively included in democratic dialogue and decision-making.

Project: Fact & Act: Youth for Democracy

Programme: Erasmus+ Youth Participation Activities

Participating countries and territories: Sint Maarten (Kingdom of the Netherlands), Czech Republic, Spain, and Latvia

Partner organisations: Caribbean Education and Culture Foundation (CECF), Cesta rozvoje, z.s., ILEWASI, and Youth for City, City for Youth

Funding: Co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme.