MEDIUM confidence
Researched 2026-08-04 20:59 · profile: researcher
Programme Thesis
The World Forum for Democracy is an annual Council of Europe event that brings together young people, policymakers, and civil society to debate and advance democratic innovation. The youth delegation programme funds a select group of young leaders to participate in the forum, contribute to discussions, and develop projects that strengthen democracy, particularly in the context of current challenges such as digital transformation and social cohesion.
Selection Criteria
Eligibility: aged 18-30, actively involved in democratic initiatives or youth work, able to work in English or French, committed to participating in the full programme. Selection is based on: demonstrated engagement in democratic processes or civil society; motivation and potential to contribute to the forum's theme; diversity of backgrounds and perspectives; ability to disseminate learning and apply it in their community; and availability to attend all sessions.
Past Winners / Cohort Profiles
Past youth delegations have included young activists, community organizers, NGO leaders, and youth workers from across Europe and beyond. They typically have a track record of local or national democratic engagement, such as leading youth councils, running civic education projects, or advocating for policy change. Named examples are not listed on the page, but the profile is consistent with the Council of Europe's focus on youth participation and democratic resilience.
Ideal Candidate Fingerprint
The ideal applicant is a young leader (18-30) with hands-on experience in democratic innovation or civic participation, a clear vision for how they will use the forum's insights, and a strong commitment to fostering democratic values in their community. They are articulate, collaborative, and able to represent diverse perspectives, with a concrete plan to multiply the impact of the forum experience.
Recommended Framing
For Eniola, the strongest angle is to frame his work on 'psyche-twin' and his broader multi-domain research as a form of democratic innovation: building transparent, evidence-based digital tools that empower individuals and communities to understand complex systems (from health to governance) and participate more meaningfully in decision-making. His experience in open science, pre-registration, and honest reporting of negative results aligns with democratic values of transparency and accountability, and his Nigerian background offers a unique perspective on democracy in the digital age. He should emphasize how his participation would bring a scientific, data-driven approach to the forum's discussions on democracy and technology.
Watch Out
The programme is focused on democracy and youth participation, not scientific research. Eniola's profile is heavily research-oriented, so he must clearly connect his work to democratic engagement. Also, the forum is in France; he must be available to travel and attend in person. No other eligibility issues found.