Call for Experts/Trainers

Call for Experts

Location:

Berlin

Application Deadline:

10 June 2026

Supporting the Development of ElectLab 2026

The European Platform for Democratic Elections is looking for experts to support the development of the concept for ElectLab 2026, EPDE’s annual academy focused on election integrity, capacity building, and peer learning.

ElectLab brings together election experts, citizen observer organizations, youth-focused actors, and civil society practitioners from across Europe and beyond to exchange experience, strengthen practical skills, and develop new approaches to election-related challenges.

The 2026 edition aims to place stronger emphasis on:

long-term learning impact,
follow-up and multiplication,
practical expertise,
training and facilitation skills,
and innovative learning methodologies.

We are currently establishing a small working group that will support the conceptual and methodological development of the academy. Furthermore this call intends to gather interest and attention from potential trainers and speakers of ElectLab who would be willing to contribute and share experience/expertise in certain areas. Experts, organizations and companies can apply and propose their interest in contributing to overall objective/mission of ElectLab 2026.

Deadline: 10th of June 2026

Applications will be reviewed on rolling bases.

Job description:

We are looking for experts/companies/organizations with experience/expertise in areas such as:

Election observation and election integrity
Non-formal education and adult learning
Youth engagement and participation
Training of trainers (ToT)
Facilitation and learning methodologies
OSINT, disinformation, and digital monitoring
Organizational development and capacity building
Communication and public diplomacy/public outreach
Digital technologies in election observation and in work of non-profit organizations

Tasks may include:

Contributing to the overall concept and structure of ElectLab 2026
Advising on thematic tracks and participant engagement
Supporting the design of interactive and participatory learning formats
Providing recommendations on follow-up and multiplication approaches
Participating in online working meetings and consultations
Train group of election experts in different per-determined thematic areas.
Delivering special and thematic related masterclass or workshops

Practical Information

Working format: primarily online and training delivery in Bergamo, Italy
Timeline: approximately MAY– JULY 2025
Working language: English

How to apply:

Apply by sending application and brief description of relevance/cover letter as email body text to our email: info@epde.org
Please indicate subject line as job opening states and thematic area that you intent to work in.

Requirements:

Applicants should combine methodological understanding of participatory learning processes with substantive knowledge of election-related or civic engagement topics.

The selected expert(s) or organization should ideally demonstrate experience in several of the following areas:

Substantive Expertise

Election observation and election integrity
Civil society capacity building
Youth participation, engagement, and mobilization
Democracy support and civic participation
Work in restrictive, hybrid, or semi-authoritarian environments
Disinformation, information integrity, OSINT, or digital participation (considered an asset)

Educational & Methodological Expertise

Non-formal education methodologies
Adult learning approaches
Training of Trainers (ToT)
Facilitation of interactive and participatory learning formats
Designing learning programmes for diverse international groups
Peer-learning and exchange methodologies

Organizational & Programme Design Experience

Development of academy, fellowship, bootcamp, or training programme concepts
Structuring multi-day international learning events
Designing follow-up and multiplication components
Developing practical learning outputs and participant engagement strategies

Additional Assets

Experience working with international NGO networks
Experience with intercultural and multi-regional groups
Familiarity with volunteer-based or membership-based organizations
Experience balancing strategic discussions with practical capacity building

Expected Competencies

The selected expert(s) or organization should be able to:

Translate broad ideas into a coherent learning structure
Develop participant-centered and engaging methodologies
Work collaboratively with different stakeholders and experts
Balance strategic objectives with practical implementation realities
Design realistic and scalable follow-up mechanisms
Facilitate concept development processes in a structured manner

What we offer

We look forward to receiving your application!

Download the job opening here

Download%size%

How to apply:

Incoming applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please send your statement of interest in ONE pdf file to: info@epde.org

The European Exchange (Europäische Austausch gGmbH) was founded in Berlin in 2005 and since then has been committed to the democratic development of Europe and its neighborhood. We are committed to pluralism, open societies, and respect for human and civil rights everywhere on our continent. Strong institutions, free elections, and the control of state action by citizens are basic prerequisites for this. The work of the European Exchange is supported by German federal ministries and the European Union. The European Exchange promotes equal opportunities for applicants regardless of their race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any disabilities. Further information and news can be found at www.european-exchange.org

Application Deadline:

10 June 2026