Migration Policy Group (MPG) welcomes applications from emerging leaders with various migration backgrounds who want to weigh in on policymaking, amplify their voices, and share knowledge with peers.

About the academy

The Democracy Academy is an annual series of online events meant to boost the civic and political participation of people from various migration backgrounds. It brings together emerging New European leaders with strong interest in civic and political participation in a space for training, knowledge-sharing and networking. During the sessions, the participants engage with Democracy Academy speakers – experienced migrant leaders with proven successes in work related to the themes of the academy.

The participants who successfully complete the academy receive a certificate. They are better able to maximise their engagement in decision-making processes and amplify fellow New Europeans’ civic and political participation.

This year’s edition

This year’s academy builds upon the successes, lessons learned and feedback from the graduates from the first 2023 Democracy Academy. In 2024, the academy will take place over 5 interactive online sessions with experts from  Migration Policy Group (MPG) and guest speakers, leaders in their fields. The academy will coverthrough various topics, including participation, evidence-based advocacy, sustainability and resiliance, organising and campaigning. These topics will be examined thorugh the participants’ own experience, but will also be placed in the context of the current environment, accounting for issues such as the rise of populist movements. Practical matters such as how to successfully communicate will also be explored through group discussions and exercises.

The online sessions will take place over five Tuesdays in the period 5 November – 10 December (5, 12, 19 and 26 November, and 10 December), and will last about 3 hours each.

Eligibility and how to apply

The academy is open to New Europeans with prior political or civic participation experience. 

The term 'New Europeans' here is interpreted in a broad sense and includes people of various migrant backgrounds residing in the EU, such as non-EU nationals regardless of their status, EU citizens who are naturalised migrants, people whose parents or grandparents were migrants, as well as EU citizens who have migrated within the EU. 

Prior experience with political and civic participation may include experience in community organising, civil society or politics. Experiences at the local, national or international levels are all relevant. 

Participation in the Democracy Academy is free.

Those who successfully engage in all  sessions will be awarded a certificate. To apply, fill in this application form and upload an updated CV by the end of Sunday, 15 September 2024, at the latest. Successful applicants will be notified in the week following the deadline. Throughout the selection process, special care will be taken to ensure that the group of participants is diverse in terms of gender, migration background and previous participation experience. 

In case of any questions, please email gyovova@migpolgroup.com.