SALTO Inclusive Participation in Democratic Life Study Visit 2026 in Belgium: Applications Open for Youth Workers and Trainers

Applications are open for the Study Visit on Inclusive Participation in Democratic Life, an international learning programme taking place from 16 to 20 November 2026 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Organized by SALTO Participation & Information and SALTO Inclusion & Diversity, the study visit will bring together 25 youth workers, trainers, youth leaders, community activists and other youth-sector practitioners to examine how young people with fewer opportunities can participate meaningfully in democratic and civic life.

The residential programme will allow participants to meet practitioners and organizations in Antwerp, observe inclusive youth-participation initiatives firsthand and explore how successful practices can be transferred to other communities and organizations.

Accommodation, meals and programme expenses will be covered by the organizers. Travel support and participation fees are administered through national Erasmus+ agencies or regional SALTO Resource Centres and may differ by country.

The application deadline is 6 September 2026, and selected applicants are expected to be notified by 18 September 2026.

Key Information About the Study Visit

Item	Details
Programme	Study Visit on Inclusive Participation in Democratic Life
Dates	16–20 November 2026
Duration	Approximately 3.5 programme days within the residential period
Location	Antwerp, Belgium
Exact venue	To be confirmed
Number of participants	25
Working language	English
Application deadline	6 September 2026, 24h UTC
Selection notification	By 18 September 2026
Online preparation meeting	5 November 2026, 17:00–19:00 CET
Organizers	SALTO Participation & Information and SALTO Inclusion & Diversity
Host	Flemish National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth, JINT
Funding programme	Erasmus+
Accommodation	Covered; single rooms provided
Meals	Covered
Programme expenses	Covered
Travel	Subject to confirmation and procedures of the relevant National Agency or regional SALTO
Participation fee	Varies from country to country
Certificate	Youthpass certificate
Accessibility	Accessible to participants with disabilities; additional support is available

Complete details are available on the official SALTO-YOUTH programme page.

Understanding the Purpose of the Study Visit

Youth participation is an important priority under Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. However, young people do not participate equally in democratic processes, youth organizations, community initiatives or decision-making structures.

Young people facing social, economic, cultural, educational or geographical barriers frequently remain underrepresented. Barriers may also arise from disability, migration experiences, discrimination, limited access to public institutions, financial hardship or isolation from urban opportunities.

According to monitoring information cited by the organizers, young people with fewer opportunities represented only 9.8% of participants in Erasmus+ Youth projects focused on participation between 2021 and 2023. This was substantially below the estimated 30% representation of young people with fewer opportunities across Erasmus+ Key Action 1 youth activities.

Youth workers, educators and trainers can help close this participation gap. However, they may lack the practical methodologies, institutional support or community connections needed to engage excluded young people meaningfully.

The study visit responds to that challenge by helping practitioners move beyond theoretical discussions and observe inclusive democratic participation in practice.

What Is Inclusive Democratic Participation?

Democratic participation is not limited to voting in elections or joining political parties. Within youth work, it includes the different ways young people can express their views, influence decisions and participate in shaping their communities.

Inclusive democratic participation means ensuring that young people have:

• The right to express their views;
• Access to the information and resources needed to participate;
• Safe and accessible spaces where their voices can be heard;
• Opportunities to contribute to decisions affecting their lives;
• Support to overcome barriers to participation;
• The ability to take part in civic and democratic life without discrimination;
• Genuine influence instead of symbolic or token participation.

In practical youth-work settings, democratic participation may include:

• Co-designing youth projects and community activities;
• Serving on youth councils or advisory groups;
• Participating in public consultations;
• Engaging in community campaigns and advocacy;
• Using digital platforms to communicate opinions;
• Using art, media and storytelling to raise public issues;
• Participating in dialogue with elected officials and policymakers;
• Contributing to participatory budgeting;
• Sharing responsibility for organizational governance;
• Helping establish rules and priorities within youth groups;
• Reflecting critically on social and political issues;
• Taking part in grassroots or community-led initiatives.

The study visit will explore how these different forms of participation can be made accessible to young people who are often excluded from conventional democratic structures.

Why Antwerp Was Chosen

Antwerp has a strong ecosystem of organizations, youth initiatives and community programmes working on participation and social inclusion.

The city offers relevant examples involving young people affected by:

• Socioeconomic exclusion;
• Migration-related barriers;
• Disability;
• Discrimination;
• Limited institutional access;
• Other forms of social marginalization.

Participants will be able to engage directly with local practitioners and organizations instead of learning only through presentations or written case studies.

This practical exposure is intended to help participants understand:

• How inclusive participation is designed;
• How local organizations build trust with excluded communities;
• How youth voices can be connected with policy processes;
• Which methods work in different community settings;
• What difficulties practitioners face;
• How approaches from Antwerp could be adapted elsewhere.

The intention is not to copy initiatives without considering local differences. Participants will be encouraged to identify the principles behind successful practices and determine how those principles can be adapted to their own cultural, organizational and political contexts.

Main Objectives of the Programme

The study visit has two central objectives.

1. Facilitating exchange with practitioners and organizations in Antwerp

Participants will meet people directly involved in inclusive youth participation. These exchanges will provide opportunities to learn about practical experience, challenges, institutional relationships and community-engagement methods.

2. Exploring diverse methods of democratic participation

The programme will examine approaches such as:

• Digital media and storytelling;
• Grassroots and community-led initiatives;
• Dialogue with policymakers;
• Youth representation;
• Civic education;
• Digital participation;
• Participatory budgeting;
• Advocacy campaigns;
• Community organizing;
• Shared decision-making;
• Inclusive project development.

The broader goal is to strengthen the ability of youth-sector professionals to design participation processes that are accessible, meaningful and responsive to diverse young people.

Connection With a Longer-Term SALTO Initiative

The Antwerp study visit is not an isolated event. It forms part of a longer-term initiative led by SALTO Inclusion & Diversity and SALTO Participation & Information.

The initiative previously included:

• A spring 2026 webinar series on inclusive youth participation;
• An international training course held in Bucharest from 1 to 5 June 2026;
• The November study visit in Antwerp.

The earlier webinars and training course focused mainly on understanding barriers and introducing methods for working with young people with fewer opportunities. The study visit shifts attention from conceptual learning to practical observation and application.

Applicants who participated in the June 2026 training course in Bucharest will receive priority during selection. However, previous participation is not stated as a mandatory condition.

What Participants Will Be Expected to Do Afterwards

Because the activity is part of a longer-term project, participants are expected to use and share what they learn.

After the study visit, participants should be prepared to:

• Integrate inclusive-participation approaches into their regular youth work;
• Adapt methods and tools to their organizations and communities;
• Share knowledge with colleagues and local partners;
• Strengthen democratic-participation activities involving marginalized young people;
• Develop partnerships with other participating organizations;
• Explore future projects under Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps;
• Contribute to the longer-term impact of the initiative.

Applicants should therefore show that they have a practical environment in which they can apply or multiply the learning.

Learning Approach

The programme uses non-formal education rather than a conventional classroom model.

Participants will learn through:

• Direct observation;
• Meetings with organizations and practitioners;
• Practical inputs;
• Learning-by-doing activities;
• Group work;
• Peer exchange;
• Experimentation;
• Facilitated reflection;
• Sharing of professional experience;
• Critical discussion of inclusion practices.

Participants will also be encouraged to examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices they already bring to the programme.

The study visit itself aims to model inclusive practice. Participants may therefore gain not only specific tools but also examples of how to design accessible group processes, accommodation arrangements, communication methods and learning environments.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is intended for people who have relevant experience, expertise or a strong motivation to learn about inclusive youth participation within Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.

Suitable applicants include:

• Youth workers;
• Trainers;
• Youth leaders;
• Youth project managers;
• Volunteering mentors;
• Youth coaches;
• Volunteers;
• Grassroots activists;
• Members of informal youth groups;
• Community leaders;
• Staff members of youth organizations;
• Educators working with young people;
• Practitioners working on democratic participation;
• People supporting young people with fewer opportunities.

Applicants should normally fall into at least one of the following profiles:

1. They work directly with young people facing fewer opportunities and want to strengthen those young people’s involvement in democratic processes; or
2. They work on democratic participation and want to engage more effectively with young people facing exclusion.

A formal academic degree is not listed as a requirement. The selection focuses more strongly on relevant work, motivation, community connection, potential contribution and the ability to apply the learning afterwards.

Applicants With Lived Experience of Exclusion

The organizers especially encourage applications from people with lived experience of inclusion barriers.

Examples mentioned in the official call include people who have experienced:

• Social barriers;
• Economic hardship;
• Geographical isolation;
• Disability;
• Minority backgrounds;
• Single parenthood combined with exclusion;
• Life in isolated or rural communities;
• Gender-identity-related barriers;
• Lack of emotional or institutional support;
• Other forms of underrepresentation.

These examples are not an exhaustive eligibility list. They illustrate the organizers’ intention to include voices that are often absent from professional discussions about inclusion.

Lived experience is treated as valuable knowledge that can strengthen the collective learning process. It is not presented as a mandatory condition for every applicant.

English-Language Requirement

The programme will be conducted in international English.

Applicants do not need perfect or native-level English. However, they must be able to:

• Follow the programme;
• Understand practical instructions;
• Participate in group activities;
• Express their views;
• Discuss their work and experiences;
• Communicate with other international participants.

No formal English-language certificate is requested in the public call.

Eligible Countries

The programme mainly targets participants from Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries. A limited number of places are available for participants from neighboring regions, including the Eastern Partnership, Southern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries

Applicants may come from:

• Austria;
• Belgium, including the German-, Flemish- and French-speaking communities;
• Bulgaria;
• Croatia;
• Cyprus;
• Czech Republic;
• Denmark;
• Estonia;
• Finland;
• France;
• Germany;
• Greece;
• Hungary;
• Iceland;
• Ireland;
• Italy;
• Latvia;
• Liechtenstein;
• Lithuania;
• Luxembourg;
• Malta;
• Netherlands;
• Norway;
• Poland;
• Portugal;
• Republic of North Macedonia;
• Romania;
• Serbia;
• Slovak Republic;
• Slovenia;
• Spain;
• Sweden;
• Switzerland;
• Türkiye.

Eastern Partnership countries

A limited number of participants may be selected from:

• Armenia;
• Azerbaijan;
• Belarus;
• Georgia;
• Moldova;
• Ukraine.

Southern Mediterranean countries

Eligible countries and territories include:

• Algeria;
• Egypt;
• Israel;
• Jordan;
• Lebanon;
• Libya;
• Morocco;
• Palestine;
• Syria;
• Tunisia.

Western Balkan countries

Applicants may also come from:

• Albania;
• Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Kosovo, under the designation used in accordance with the applicable United Nations resolution;
• Montenegro.

The opportunity is not open worldwide. Applicants from countries outside the published groups should not assume eligibility unless the organizers or a relevant National Agency confirm an exception.

Number of Places and Selection Priority

Only 25 participants will be selected.

The official call identifies the following priorities and considerations:

• Most places are intended for Erasmus+ Programme countries;
• Only a limited number are available for neighboring regions;
• Priority will be given to people who attended the June 2026 training course in Bucharest;
• Applicants should demonstrate experience or strong motivation related to inclusive youth participation;
• Applicants should have the potential to transfer the learning into their work;
• People with lived experience of exclusion are especially encouraged;
• Applicants should be able to participate fully in the residential programme and online preparation meeting.

Selection will be conducted by National Agencies and regional SALTO Resource Centres. Applicants will be informed of the result no later than 18 September 2026, according to the official application instructions.

Online Preparatory Meeting

Selected participants must attend an online preparation meeting before travelling to Belgium.

Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026
Time: 17:00–19:00 CET

The meeting will:

• Provide practical information;
• Introduce the participant group;
• Help participants prepare for the study visit;
• Clarify expectations and arrangements;
• Support an inclusive start to the learning process.

Applicants should check their availability for this session before applying.

Residential Participation Requirement

Participants must be available for the full duration of the residential programme from 16 to 20 November 2026.

Applicants should not apply if they expect to:

• Arrive after the programme has started;
• Leave before it concludes;
• Participate only on selected days;
• Attend remotely instead of travelling to Antwerp.

The programme’s learning process depends on group interaction, field visits, reflection and continued participation.

Accommodation and Meals

The hosting National Agency and SALTO Resource Centres will organize accommodation and cover accommodation and meal costs.

Participants will be accommodated in single rooms.

The food provided will be mainly vegetarian and vegan for environmental reasons. The hotel and venue can accommodate other dietary requirements and preferences when informed in advance.

Applicants should clearly communicate:

• Food allergies;
• Religious dietary requirements;
• Medical dietary needs;
• Vegetarian or vegan preferences;
• Other relevant accommodation needs.

Travel Costs and Reimbursement

The official programme information indicates that travel support is handled through the applicant’s National Agency or regional SALTO Resource Centre.

The listing’s accessibility section states that travel costs are covered by the relevant National Agency or SALTO. However, its detailed costs section tells applicants to confirm whether their National Agency or SALTO will support travel and to obtain reimbursement instructions after selection.

Applicants should therefore not describe the opportunity as universally fully funded and should not purchase tickets before receiving written instructions.

Before applying or immediately after selection, candidates should confirm:

1. Whether their National Agency or regional SALTO will reimburse travel;
2. The maximum reimbursable amount;
3. Which transport methods are eligible;
4. Whether approval is required before booking;
5. Which tickets and receipts must be retained;
6. Whether reimbursement is processed before or after the visit;
7. Whether additional visa-related expenses may be covered.

Booking independently without following the relevant agency’s procedure could result in expenses not being reimbursed.

Participation Fee

A participation fee may apply, and the amount varies by country.

Applicants should contact their National Agency or regional SALTO Resource Centre to confirm:

• Whether a fee applies;
• The amount of the fee;
• When and how it must be paid;
• Whether any waiver or support is available.

The public listing does not provide one standard fee for all participants.

Accessibility and Inclusion Arrangements

The activity and venue are described as accessible to people with disabilities.

Available arrangements include:

• Single-room accommodation;
• Rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility;
• An additional hotel room for a personal assistant where required;
• Coverage of the assistant’s additional room cost;
• Information about accessible railway stations and train connections in Belgium;
• Adapted transport from the airport or railway station to the venue when necessary;
• Menus adapted to dietary needs;
• A screen-reader-friendly application option.

Applicants should describe their access requirements honestly and early. Requesting accommodation support should not be treated as a disadvantage; accessibility is a core feature of the programme.

Applicants needing a screen-reader-friendly application can contact the addresses provided on the official SALTO application page.

Youthpass Certificate

Participants are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate recognizing the competences developed during the activity.

Youthpass is the recognition instrument used for non-formal and informal learning under Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps.

The certificate can help participants document learning connected with:

• Inclusion and diversity;
• Democratic participation;
• Community engagement;
• Intercultural communication;
• Partnership development;
• Reflective practice;
• Non-formal education;
• International cooperation.

Youthpass is not an academic degree or professional licence. It documents participation and learning outcomes from an eligible European youth programme.

Team of Trainers

The official programme lists three trainers and facilitators.

Morgaine Green

Morgaine Green is a facilitator and project manager working across systems of oppression, collective liberation and social justice.

Her experience includes:

• Young people with fewer opportunities;
• Intergenerational and intercultural groups;
• Activist networks;
• Educators and youth workers;
• Social movements;
• Civil-society organizations;
• Peace education;
• Conflict transformation;
• Social inclusion;
• Community participation;
• Art, play, memory and decolonial practice.

Letícia Usanovich

Letícia Usanovich is a facilitator for social change with youth-development experience across Europe, Latin America and Kenya.

Their practice explores:

• Identity;
• Privilege;
• Power;
• Systems of oppression;
• Intersectional approaches;
• Decolonial practice;
• Youth leadership;
• Inclusion and diversity.

They have also worked with youth-led associations in Portugal and Brazil.

Joke Van Dooren

Joke Van Dooren is a socio-cultural worker and youth worker based in Antwerp.

Her professional experience includes:

• Inclusive youth camps;
• Farmer cooperatives in Morocco;
• Integration and participation of migrant families;
• Movement building;
• Group facilitation;
• Collaboration among citizens, municipalities and organizations;
• Inclusive community participation.

Her knowledge of Antwerp will help connect the international learning programme with local organizations and initiatives.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an external application platform rather than directly through a standard SALTO user form.

Step 1: Read the complete programme announcement

Review the official objectives, participant profile, costs, country eligibility and accessibility information.

Step 2: Confirm national eligibility and financial conditions

Contact the relevant National Agency or regional SALTO Resource Centre to confirm:

• Whether applicants from your country are being supported;
• Whether a participation fee applies;
• Whether travel will be reimbursed;
• Whether national preselection criteria apply.

Step 3: Check availability

Applicants must be available for:

• The online meeting on 5 November 2026;
• The full residential period from 16 to 20 November 2026;
• Any required preparation or follow-up activities.

Step 4: Prepare application information

Applicants should be ready to explain:

• Their current role in youth work or community participation;
• Their experience with young people facing fewer opportunities;
• Their work on democracy, participation or inclusion;
• Their motivation for joining the visit;
• What they can contribute to the group;
• How they will use the learning afterwards;
• Whether they attended the June 2026 Bucharest training;
• Any accessibility, dietary or personal-assistance requirements.

Step 5: Complete the external application form

Use the official SALTO application procedure to access the external form.

Step 6: Submit before the deadline

Applications must be submitted by 6 September 2026, 24h UTC.

Do not wait until the final hours, particularly if accessibility support or clarification from a National Agency is required.

Tips for a Competitive Application

Demonstrate direct relevance

Explain clearly how your present work relates to youth participation, democratic engagement, social inclusion or young people with fewer opportunities.

Use concrete examples

Instead of stating that you are interested in inclusion, describe an activity, project or challenge you have encountered.

Explain how learning will be transferred

Show how you will use the methods after returning home. Mention specific colleagues, organizations, projects or communities that could benefit.

Be realistic about your English

Perfect English is not required. However, applicants should confirm that they can follow activities and participate in discussions.

Explain your lived experience if relevant

Applicants with lived experience of exclusion may describe it to the extent they feel comfortable. The experience should be connected to the perspective or contribution they can bring.

Show readiness for partnership development

The programme expects participants to explore cooperation and possible Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps projects.

Confirm full availability

State that you can attend both the preparatory meeting and the complete residential programme.

Request accessibility support early

Do not wait until after travel arrangements have been finalized to disclose requirements affecting accommodation or transportation.

Important Dates

Stage	Date
Application deadline	6 September 2026, 24h UTC
Selection notification	By 18 September 2026
Online preparatory meeting	5 November 2026, 17:00–19:00 CET
Arrival and programme period	16–20 November 2026
Location	Antwerp, Belgium; exact venue to be confirmed

Important Points to Verify Before Applying

Applicants should independently confirm the following:

• Their country is included in the official list;
• Their National Agency or regional SALTO is supporting participation;
• The applicable participation fee;
• Travel reimbursement rules and limits;
• Visa requirements for Belgium;
• Passport validity;
• Whether travel insurance is required;
• Accessibility arrangements;
• Their availability for the online and residential components.

SALTO notes that training details can change and advises applicants to contact the organizers for the latest information.

Conclusion

The Study Visit on Inclusive Participation in Democratic Life offers youth workers, trainers, community leaders and other practitioners an opportunity to examine real examples of inclusive democratic participation in Antwerp.

The programme is especially relevant to people working with young people affected by economic hardship, social exclusion, geographical isolation, migration-related barriers, disability, discrimination or limited access to decision-making.

Through organizational visits, practitioner exchanges, non-formal learning and group reflection, participants will explore how youth representation, digital participation, civic education, advocacy, storytelling, community action and participatory budgeting can be made more inclusive.

Accommodation, meals and programme costs are covered, while travel support and participation fees depend on the relevant National Agency or SALTO arrangements. Applicants should verify these conditions before making financial commitments.

Only 25 participants will be selected. Interested applicants should prepare a focused application demonstrating relevant experience, motivation, community connection and a credible plan for using the learning after the visit.

The final deadline is 6 September 2026, with selection results expected by 18 September 2026.