At Future Demo ry, we organise and contribute to events that explore the future of democracy.
Our events bring together students, experts, and practitioners to reflect on how democracy functions and how it can be strengthened.
Webinar: European Citizens’ Initiative – Insights from the European Public Social Network Initiative
Wednesday 28 October 2026
18:00-19:00 CET
What is a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI)? What can it achieve, how does the process work, and what does it take to launch one?
Join this webinar for an introduction to the European Citizens’ Initiative and first-hand insights from an ongoing ECI campaign.
Veli-Valtteri Lehtonen (Student Network on Future Democracy / Future Demo ry; Democracy International e.V.) will introduce the ECI as a democratic tool, explain how it works, and outline how citizens can use it to bring issues onto the EU agenda.
To illustrate what an ECI looks like in practice, Lukáš Mikulecký from the European Public Social Network initiative (EPSN) will present their campaign that just started collection of signatures. He will also explain the campaign’s goals, including how the Initiative seeks to address risks associated with social media platforms.
For questions on the webinar, please contact: lehtonen@futuredemo.org
Student Forum on Future Democracy 2026
Tue 13. – Mon 19. October 2026
Eisenach, Germany
The Student Forum on Future Democracy is an annual international gathering of students interested in the future of democracy.
Since 2023, the Forum has brought together participants from different countries to:
- Discuss key challenges facing democracy
- Develop ideas for the future of democracy through an annual Wartburg Declaration written by the participating students
- Collaborate across disciplines and national contexts
The Forum also serves as the entry point to the Student Network on Future Democracy (SNFD), enabling participants to continue their engagement beyond the event.
📅 The next edition, Student Forum 2026, is currently in preparation.
More information on the programme will be updated later.’
Applications Closed – Please apply next year!
For questions on the Forum 2026, please contact: vrabie@futuredemo.org
Workshop: Kuinka järjestää Euroopan laajuinen kansalaiskampanja? (How to Organise a Europe-Wide Citizens’ Campaign?)
Tuesday 27 October 2026
16:30 Free meal for registered in-person participants
17:00–18:45 Workshop
Backstage, Tellus Linnanmaa, University of Oulu + online participation
How can citizens turn an idea into a campaign across Europe? How does the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) work, and what does it take to build support across different EU countries?
Join this interactive workshop for a practical introduction to the European Citizens’ Initiative, an EU participatory democracy tool that allows citizens to invite the European Commission to propose new legislation.
After an introduction to the ECI and the support available through the ECI Forum, participants will work in groups to develop their own ECI proposal and campaign strategy. You will consider the issue your initiative would address, the change you would seek at EU level, your target countries and audiences, key campaign messages, and the tools you could use to reach supporters.
Participants will also have the opportunity to publish their ideas on the ECI Forum and learn about resources available to people interested in organising European citizens’ initiatives.
The workshop is particularly aimed at EU citizens aged 16 and over who are interested in civic participation and European affairs, but you do not need to be a university student to participate. Other interested participants are also welcome.
The workshop will be held primarily in Finnish, with English-language support available if needed. You can participate either in person in Oulu or online.
If possible, please bring a laptop and a smartphone or other smart device for using EU Login and the ECI Forum during the workshop.
🍕 A free meal will be provided at 16:30 for registered in-person participants.
Organised by: Future Demo ry, Student Network on Future Democracy, Europe Direct Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, the Student Union of the University of Oulu, and the University of Oulu.
For questions about the workshop, please contact: lehtonen@futuredemo.org
Disclaimer
The ECI workshop is implemented within the framework of the ECI Forum. The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Forum is a platform operated by the European Citizen Action Service on behalf of, and under contract to, the European Commission (Secretariat-General). The opinions expressed during the ECI workshop reflect solely the views of their authors and cannot, in any way, be taken to reflect the position of the European Commission or the European Union.
🤝 Get Involved
We welcome students, researchers, and partners interested in contributing to our events.
If you are interested in participating, collaborating, or supporting our work, feel free to contact lehtonen@futuredemo.org
Past events
Arki 2026 – Everyday Life and Democracy
Arki (from the Finnish word for “everyday life”) is a new international event series developed by Future Demo ry and the Student Network on Future Democracy.
The concept focuses on a simple but often overlooked question: How do people find time for democracy in their everyday lives?
Arki explores how time is structured across work, education, caregiving, rest, and civic participation — and how these structures enable or limit democratic engagement.
The Arki 2026 pilot takes place in spring 2026 as part of FORTHEM Democracy Week, with sessions organised across Finland, Bosnia, and Norway. The programme includes expert panels and interactive workshops examining themes such as:
- Everyday life and democracy in different countries
- Time pressure and caregiving
- Work-life balance and civic participation
- Practical ways to integrate democracy into daily routines