What is the School of Democracy?
The School of Democracy, implemented through the collaboration of SILC, D84, and Fabel, is a multi-component program aiming to develop capacity in the fields of democracy, politics, and communication in the digital age. The program will feature online workshops, three hands-on labs (Politics Lab, Policy Lab, Media Lab), and a three-day Democracy BarCamp event shaped by the participants.
Participants will work with experts from Turkey and abroad on building trust in the digital age, forming local coalitions, designing effective policies, and developing effective communication strategies.
Program content
- Politics Lab: Coalition building, negotiation, and decision-making
- Policy Lab: Turning ideas into action and viable policies
- Media Lab: Communication, narratives, and artificial intelligence in media
- Democracy BarCamp: Participant-led sessions, collaborative problem-solving, and creative interaction
In-person sessions: Istanbul: 18–22 February 2026 or Ankara: 24–28 February 2026
Democracy BarCamp: Fall 2026 (exact date to be announced later)
Who can apply?
- Young people aged 18–35,
- Those interested in democracy, politics, policy, and communication,
- Those who commit to full participation and active contribution in all online and in-person sessions of the program.
The language of the program is English.
Participation is free for selected participants.
Application process
Applications will be received via an online form. As part of the application, candidates are expected to:
- Upload a short motivation video of up to 2 minutes.
- The video should explain your motivation for joining the School of Democracy and how you will contribute to the program.
- Application Deadline: 11 January 2026
- Announcement of Participants: 30 January 2026
- Application Link: https://forms.gle/o8sz2CT7xVB2LNdc9
- For questions: [email protected]