Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience”

22–26 September 2026, Vilnius (Lithuania)

How do we create dialogue in societies shaped by war, displacement, polarisation and disinformation? How can educators, artists, journalists, youth workers and civic leaders help rebuild trust and strengthen democratic resilience?

The Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education (EENCE) and Democratic Initiatives Incubator invite applications for the Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience” – an international learning programme that brings together professionals from across the Eastern Partnership region and diaspora communities to explore new approaches to dialogue, civic education and community resilience.

From 22 to 26 September 2026, around 30 participants will gather in Vilnius, Lithuania, to learn from experienced facilitators, exchange practices with colleagues from different countries and develop practical ideas that can strengthen democratic participation in their own communities.

The Academy is more than a training course. It is a space for reflection, experimentation and collaboration with people who believe that dialogue remains one of the strongest tools for building resilient and democratic societies.

What to expect

Over three intensive training days participants will explore how dialogue can become a practical response to today’s social and political challenges.

Together we will examine:

• facilitating dialogue in divided and polarised communities;
• trauma-sensitive approaches to education and community work;
• democratic resilience and civic participation;
• memory, identity and difficult conversations;
• inclusion, diversity and social cohesion;
• countering disinformation through civic education;
• designing participatory learning experiences.

The programme combines interactive workshops, facilitated dialogue, practical exercises, peer learning and collaborative design sessions that allow participants to immediately apply new approaches to their own professional contexts.

Beyond the Academy

Learning will not end in Vilnius. Following the programme, participants will continue working together through National Dialogue Labs – local educational, cultural and civic initiatives that bring dialogue into schools, communities, organisations and public spaces across the Eastern Partnership region.

Throughout the Academy, participants will develop initial concepts for these initiatives, receive methodological support from the project team and become part of a growing regional network committed to strengthening democratic resilience through education and dialogue.

Who should apply?

We are looking for people who already work with communities and believe in the transformative power of dialogue.

We welcome applications from:

• educators and teachers;
• youth workers;
• civil society practitioners;
• artists and cultural practitioners;
• journalists and media professionals;
• researchers;
• community leaders;
• representatives of public institutions;
• facilitators and other professionals working in civic education and democratic participation.

Applications are open to professionals based in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Germany, Poland and Lithuania.

We also encourage applications from professionals from the Eastern Partnership countries who are currently living elsewhere in Europe but continue working to strengthen citizenship education in their home countries or communities.

Previous experience with the EENCE network is welcome but not required.

Practical information

Location: Vilnius, Lithuania

Dates: 22-26 September 2026

• 22 September – arrival
• 23-25 September – academy programme
• 26 September – departure

Working languages: English and Russian.

Participants should be able to actively participate in at least one of these languages. Interpretation between English and Russian will be available during selected programme components.

Financial support

Participation in the Academy is free of charge.

The organisers will provide:

• accommodation in twin rooms;
• meals during the programme;
• learning materials;
• international travel reimbursement;
• transportation to the venue in Vilnius;
• the cost of a visa and insurance is within the travel reimbursement limits, where required.

Detailed travel arrangements will be shared with selected participants.

How participants will be selected

Approximately 30 participants will be selected through an open application process.

Applications will be assessed based on applicants’ experience, motivation, potential to apply the Academy’s methodologies in their work and their ideas for future dialogue initiatives.

The organisers will seek a diverse group representing different countries, professional backgrounds and perspectives and will try to ensure equal participation.

Apply

Apply by July 30, 2026 at the following link: https://forms.gle/uL6G7y28UAcjPDti6 

Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

Questions can be addressed to: DialogueAcademyEENCE@gmail.com 

Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience” is implemented by the Democratic Initiatives Incubator on behalf of the Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education (EENCE), in partnership with the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) and with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office.

Building Democratic Resilience through Dialogue

The Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education (EENCE) invites applications for the Regional Dialogue Academy. This three-day international training programme brings together educators, artists, activists, youth workers, civil society practitioners, researchers and community leaders committed to strengthening democratic dialogue and social cohesion.

The Academy will provide participants with practical knowledge and facilitation skills to promote inclusive dialogue, democratic resilience and community engagement. Following the training, participants will join the EENCE alumni network and design and implement a National Dialogue Lab in their home country, engaging local communities through dialogue-based educational, cultural or civic initiatives.

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from participants based in:

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Georgia
• Moldova
• Ukraine
• Poland
• Lithuania
• Germany

We also encourage applications from Eastern Partnership professionals currently living in exile in EU countries.

Applicants may include educators, teachers, artists, youth workers, civil society practitioners, activists, researchers, journalists, community leaders and other professionals working to strengthen democratic participation and dialogue.

Approximately 30 participants will be selected through an open call, with an expected 3-4 participants per country, subject to the quality of applications.

Training Information

Location: Vilnius, Lithuania

Dates: September 22-26, 2026 (September 22 – arrival day, September 23-25 ​​full training days, September 26 – departure day)

Working languages: English and Russian (limited interpretation support will be available).

Financial Support

The organisers will cover:

• Accommodation in twin rooms
• Meals during the programme
• Programme materials
• International travel in accordance with the Travel Reimbursement Guidelines

Official invitations to the event will be provided as needed.

Participant Commitment

Selected participants are expected to:

• Arrive on the day of arrival, participate in 3 training sessions, and depart on the day of departure..
• Actively participate in all sessions.
• Design and deliver one National Dialogue Lab after the Academy.
• Contribute to peer learning and project evaluation.

For any questions or clarifications, please contact us by email:

The Dialogue Academy is implemented by the Democratic Initiatives Incubator on behalf of the Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education (EENCE), in partnership with the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb), with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office.

questions:

Personal Information

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Country of residence
• Country of citizenship
• Organisation (if applicable)
• Position/Role

Professional Background
7. Which best describes your work? (Select up to three.)

• Teacher/Educator
• Youth Worker
• Civil Society
• Artist/Cultural Practitioner
• Activist
• Researcher
• Journalist/Media
• Community Leader
• Public Institution
• Other

8. Briefly describe your current work. (Max. 150 words)

Your affiliation with the EENCE network

– I am an independent expert

– I represent a member organization

– I have no affiliation

Motivation
9. Why would you like to participate in the Dialogue Academy? (Max. 250 words)

10. What experience do you have in education, dialogue, community engagement, arts, or democratic participation? (Max. 200 words)

11. Please provide one example of a project, initiative or activity that you have organised or contributed to that demonstrates your experience in community engagement, education, arts, dialogue or civic participation.

(Maximum 250 words.)

National Dialogue Lab
12. Briefly describe the Dialogue Lab you would like to organise after the Academy. (Who would you engage? What would you like to achieve? Max. 300 words.)

Practical Information
13. Working language(s):

• English
• Russian
• Both

14. Do you currently hold a valid document allowing you to enter Lithuania during the Academy dates? 

• Yes
• No

15. Do you have any dietary or health conditions that organisers should be aware of? If so, how can we support you??

A place for any other wishes and comments 

Declaration
16. I confirm that I am available to attend the Academy in Vilnius at the end of September 2026 and, if selected, commit to organising a National Dialogue Lab afterwards.

I consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine and the General Data Protection Regulation.