On 27-29 May 2026, the European Exchange and the EPDE, together with its local partner the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG), brought together youth-focused and election-related civil society organizations in Lusaka, Zambia, for a three-day training on youth participation in democratic and electoral processes.

The training united project managers, civic educators, and election practitioners to strengthen the capacity of organizations working at the intersection of youth engagement, civic education, and elections.

Key focus areas included:

• Understanding barriers to youth participation in elections
• Engaging young people in civic and political life
• Raising awareness on election observation and democratic participation
• Sharing experiences and good practices among organizations
• Developing ideas for future collaboration and joint initiatives

Participants analyzed the realities of youth participation in Zambia, deepened their understanding of democratic elections and citizen observation, and exchanged experiences from their own organizations and communities. The trainings were facilitated by election expert Holly Ruthrauff, and youth engagement expert Nina Gogoladze, who focused on peer learning, practical reflection, and collaborative discussions to help participants build stronger networks for democratic engagement and election integrity.

The training concluded with participants developing joint intervention ideas and follow-up plans, laying the groundwork for continued cooperation ahead of the upcoming general elections in Zambia.

The event was funded by the European Union through its WYDE project.