From 25–29 May 2026, representatives of SPIN/OKRET from Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the international seminar “Beyond Polarisation: Youth Renewing Democracy”, held in Tallinn, Estonia. The event brought together youth workers, educators, researchers, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Europe to explore how youth work can contribute to strengthening democratic participation, social cohesion, and resilience in increasingly polarised societies.

Throughout the four-day seminar, participants engaged in a rich programme of workshops, discussions, peer-learning activities, and exchanges of good practices. The event focused on some of the most pressing challenges facing young people and democratic societies today, including political polarisation, misinformation, social fragmentation, identity-based tensions, declining trust in institutions, and the growing influence of digital platforms on public discourse.

A particular emphasis was placed on the role of youth work in creating safe spaces for dialogue, encouraging critical thinking, supporting media literacy, and fostering meaningful participation. Participants explored practical approaches for engaging young people in democratic processes, addressing sensitive social issues, and building stronger connections between young people and decision-makers.

The seminar also provided a valuable opportunity for networking and international cooperation. Participants shared experiences from their local contexts, reflected on common challenges across Europe, and identified new possibilities for future collaboration. For SPIN/OKRET, the event offered an important platform to exchange perspectives from Bosnia and Herzegovina and learn from innovative practices implemented in other countries.

One of the key messages emerging from the seminar was that democracy cannot be taken for granted. It requires continuous investment in education, participation, dialogue, and community-building. Youth work has a crucial role to play in supporting young people to become active citizens, navigate complex social realities, and contribute positively to democratic societies.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this inspiring international gathering and look forward to applying the knowledge, ideas, and connections gained during the seminar in our future work with young people and local communities.

This activity was implemented as part of the New Power in Youth Strategy, hosted by the Estonian National Agency HARNO, while our participation was supported by SALTO SEE.