​Everyday Democracy convened youth organizing leaders Hannah Botts of Campus Compact and Zoë Jenkins of Civics Unplugged to explore Gen Z's relationship with democracy, revealing that only 16% believe democracy is working well for them—a disconnect rooted not in apathy but in earned distrust of institutions that have failed to deliver on promises. The conversation illuminated how young people are practicing discernment rather than disengagement, shifting civic energy from national politics to local communities where 77% trust neighbors and 65% trust nonprofits, while rejecting transactional engagement that only surfaces during elections. Panelists identified critical barriers including the search for belonging that conservative movements have successfully addressed by building community before politics, the chilling effect of constant digital surveillance on civic courage, and the need to create entirely new participatory structures rather than adding youth to existing adult tables. By listening to, trusting, and co-creating with a generation demanding institutions earn their participation, this work directly supports NCDD's mission of strengthening democracy through inclusive dialogue, fostering genuine civic engagement, and building collaborative pathways that center diverse voices in democratic renewal.

​This piece explores how international collaboration can strengthen youth participation in democracy, drawing lessons from a partnership between Albania’s National Youth Congress (KRK) and U.S. civic engagement leaders, including NCDD member Close Up Foundation. By exchanging models of youth empowerment—from Albania’s structured pathways for youth input in local governance to Close Up’s long-standing experiential civic education—the collaboration highlights the value of sustained engagement, capacity building, and meaningful decision-making roles for young people. The article argues that American communities can adapt these cross-border insights by creating formal youth advisory structures, prioritizing equity and inclusion, and fostering intergenerational dialogue, demonstrating that democracy is strongest when young people are equipped to actively shape the policies that affect their lives.

Raj Vinnakota, president of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, emphasized during his December visit to the University of Wisconsin–Madison that civil discourse and collaborative problem-solving are essential skills for navigating work, community, and democracy, highlighting the institute's Civic Preparedness coalition of 45 colleges and universities committed to advancing civic dialogue on campuses. Vinnakota argues that college campuses hold unique potential for students to develop civic dialogue skills through practice and experimentation, yet fear of swift social consequences creates a chilling effect that requires intentional spaces where conversational risks can be taken across orientation programs, residence halls, and curriculum. The institute's Civic Vibe Check found that 90% of young people ages 10-24 want to engage and help solve community problems but roughly half don't know how, representing a gap between motivation and capacity that educational institutions can address through pathways, mentorship, and support while emphasizing principles of affirming inherent humanity, becoming comfortable with non-closure, and bringing humility and genuine curiosity to exchanges.

​Colorado State University's newly launched Colorado Democracy Prize awards $5,000 annually to student groups whose work brings community members together across lines of difference, facilitated by CSU's Center for Public Deliberation as part of President Amy Parsons' commitment to strengthening democracy through summits, First Amendment education, and dialogue across viewpoints. The prize provides a scaffolded approach where student teams attend grant-writing workshops, three to five finalists receive $1,000 seed grants with ongoing guidance to implement their ideas between March 2026 and January 2027, and winners are selected based on creativity in addressing barriers to dialogue while deepening democratic engagement. Associate Director Katie Knobloch articulates a vision resonating with NCDD's values: democracy is not something that happens outside of us or only at the national level, but something we practice daily as community members, offering practitioners an inspiring model of institutional investment that trusts students to design and lead meaningful civic engagement work.

Civic Learning Week 2026, taking place March 9–13 with a National Forum in Philadelphia, highlights the urgent need to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills for active participation in a self-governing society. Framed by the nation’s 250th anniversary, the week brings together educators, students, policymakers, and community leaders to emphasize the essential role of civic learning in fostering critical thinking, cross-perspective dialogue, and informed action. By bridging classroom education with real-world democratic practice, Civic Learning Week strengthens the capacities that underpin healthy communities and effective governance, while its cross-sector partnerships provide a national platform for collaboration, innovation, and renewed commitment to civic education.

Generation Vote Education Fund has been named the 2025 Aicher Impact Award winner for its national, youth-led work to strengthen democracy through voting rights, public education, leadership development, and election protection. Presented by Everyday Democracy, the award honors organizations advancing inclusive, multiracial democracy at the local level and reflects founder Paul J. Aicher’s legacy of community-driven dialogue and engagement. This year’s highly participatory selection process highlighted the growing momentum behind Generation Vote’s intersectional approach, which centers young people and communities of color in reimagining civic participation and building accountable, justice-oriented democratic spaces.

Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolina has woven dialogue into the core of its community, demonstrating how young people can lead transformative conversations across lines of difference. With support from Essential Partners, students are trained to facilitate nuanced, story-driven dialogues that replace debate with deeper understanding—helping the school navigate tense moments like the 2024 election while strengthening relationships. More than 90 student facilitators, along with trained educators, now guide discussions on challenging topics ranging from empathy to gun violence, creating a cultural shift that sustains more thoughtful, connected community engagement. Ravenscroft’s model shows how dialogue-centered education can empower students as civic leaders, reshape institutional culture, and offer a compelling blueprint for other schools committed to bridging divides.

The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) has welcomed its Fall 2025 intern cohort, a group of 7 diverse and accomplished students dedicated to fostering inclusive democracy through dialogue. The cohort includes Nahum Ding, a natural mediator studying Human Development; Merveille Julia Bock D'Ileletoua, a human rights advocate and Peace and Justice student; Natalie Vasquez, a Political Science and Urban Studies major focused on immigrant and women’s rights; Sarah Huegler, a Geology and Astronomy student committed to understanding diverse perspectives; Sadiqua Khan, a Psychology major with strong leadership experience; and Sydney Wiggins, a Political Science and Data Science student blending technology with civic engagement and Emory University student, Fern Biswas​. United by their commitment to listening, collaboration, and democratic participation, these interns will contribute to NCDD’s programs, communications, and membership engagement, representing the next generation of changemakers working to strengthen democracy from the inside out.

The Close-Up Foundation is bringing the Guam Youth Summit to the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa from October 14 to 17, engaging 80 high school students in hands-on civic education. This four-day event, funded by the U.S. Office of Insular Affairs, immerses students in legislative processes, allowing them to work with senators, local experts, and off-island education specialists to explore policies affecting Guam. Through panel discussions and structured deliberations, participants develop concrete recommendations for the 38th Guam Legislature, transforming abstract concepts of government into meaningful engagement. By fostering skills in dialogue, critical thinking, and civic agency, the summit empowers young people to see the impact of their voices on democratic processes. For Guam, this investment in youth civic education is vital, equipping the next generation of leaders to address community challenges through informed, collaborative, and inclusive decision-making.

​The 2026 Civic Season Design Fellowship, a program of Made By Us, invites young leaders ages 18–30 to help shape the nation’s 250th anniversary through creativity, collaboration, and community engagement. Fellows will co-design events and digital content that bring Civic Season—held between Juneteenth and July 4th—to life, connecting people with history and inspiring action. With opportunities to develop hands-on experience, build networks, and contribute to a national dialogue about who we are and where we’re going, this fellowship embodies the spirit of civic participation and shared storytelling that NCDD champions.