The Youth Dialogue on Internet Governance (YOUthDIG) is a yearly pre-event to the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) aimed to foster active youth participation. Young people (ages 18-30) from the pan-European region with a strong interest in Internet governance, digital policy and cooperation are working together to draft and advocate for the youth messages.
We were looking for 30 young people from all over Europe (members states at the Council of Europe) to participate in a pre-event programme which prepared young people who are interested about topics related to the Internet to become active participants in EuroDIG. During YOUthDIG participants learned about Internet Governance, and discussed and exchanged ideas with experienced internet policy practitioners but also experienced peer-to-peer learning and networking with youth residing in Europe. They were actively involved in developing policy messages (see Reporting) that were presented at EuroDIG but also the global IGF. The YOUthDIG event was composed of an online phase with virtual meetings and the physical event. The YOUthDIG in person meeting was held from 16 – 19 June followed by EuroDIG on 19 – 21 June, both in Tampere, Finland. YOUthDIG was held in English. Thanks to our donors, we could provide a number of travel grants to youth participants.
During YOUthDIG, participants discussed and exchanged ideas with experienced Internet policy practitioners but also experienced peer-to-peer learning and networking with youth residing in Europe.
We held an on-site meeting in Tampere, Finland, where youth was able to gather to discuss a diversity of themes and topics related to Internet Governance.
At the end of YOUthDIG, the participants designed the Youth Messages. These messages were presented at EuroDIG and the global Internet Governance Forum that is convened by the United Nations with a view to contributing to global, other regional and national debates on Internet Governance.
YOUthDIG was held in English. Thanks to our donors, travel grants could be provided to youth participants.
Every year the YOUthDIG Organising Team is compiled of former YOUthDIG participants who design the programme for the upcoming edition. This is a chance to reflect and improve the programme from last editions, build further connections with YOUthDIG alumni and the EuroDIG community and to provide an opportunity for young people throughout Europe to participate in the Internet Governance Ecosystem focusing on topics that are important to youth in the field.
The programme for YOUthDIG 2023 can be found at our wiki.
The Youth Messages are an opportunity for the YOUthDIG participants to share their knowledge and expertise about topics that are important to them that are related to Internet Governance. Using a systems approach, these messages are build with the group with the aim to exchange thoughts and ideas and bring forward their priorities and insights.
Have a look at the Youth Messages from YOUthDIG participants.
During YOUthDIG, meaning the dinner on 16 June, and all breaks and meals on 17-19 June will be covered by EuroDIG. You are responsible for your own meals during EuroDIG. For those staying at the EuroDIG accommodation, breakfast is included on all days during your stay.
When will YOUthDIG and EuroDIG be held in 2023?
You will arrive on 16 June. The YOUthDIG programme will be held from 17 – 19 June, and you will join EuroDIG 19 – 21 June. Departure will be on the evening of 21 June or the following day on 22 June. You will be expected to attend both YOUthDIG and EuroDIG.
What is included in the travel grant and accommodation grants?
If your application is successful, you are offered a travel grant to attend YOUthDIG and EuroDIG 2023 in Tampere, Finland. You will be expected to arrive one day before the start of YOUthDIG, and you must attend the pre-event webinars, YOUthDIG and EuroDIG in full to receive your reimbursement.
You will pay your travel in advance and we reimburse you on successful completion after the event.
We reimburse travel from Airport A to Airport B, and will provide accommodation. You are responsible for any costs related to COVID-requirements, insurance, visa, local transportation, and daily needs.
We ask participants to keep costs as low as possible, this will give us the opportunity to invite more participants to join us.
Am I eligible to apply?
Anybody between the ages 18-30 (by 16 June 2023) reside in the Pan-European region is eligible to apply.
Who are you looking for?
We are looking for newcomers in Internet Governance, those who do not have any prior experience and want to learn something new or those who work on a specific subject area (e.g. AI, cybersecurity, law, art, communications, biology, medicine, or other) and want to broaden their understanding on how digitalisation or internet policies would impact their fields.
Who are you not looking for?
Young professionals with more than 3 years of professional work experience do not need to apply for YOUthDIG, you are welcome to attend EuroDIG directly. We believe that you have the necessary confidence to participate in our community.
Former recipients of the Internet Society’s IGF Ambassadors scheme or ICANN fellowships are also welcome to attend EuroDIG directly. At YOUthDIG, we will be addressing many of the same topics that you learned during your fellowship, and we believe that these fellowships have prepared and empowered you to directly contribute to the topics and events that we are holding at EuroDIG.
If you need support with funding, please check out our Funding FAQ below
What should I include in my submission?
You can tell us about your background, interest or connection with internet governance but we are also very interested in finding out why you find the topic interesting and what you would like to achieve with YOUthDIG.
How are participants selected?
We use blind peer review to select participants. The YOUthDIG Organising Team consists of former YOUthDIG participants who know what it is like to experience YOUthDIG. Submissions are anonymised and every one of them are read by the entire YOUthDIG Organising Team who will give them a rating from 0 (not eligible) to 5 (good candidate). Based on these ratings, we create a cohort that is geographically diverse, gender balanced, with/from various interests and backgrounds.
Funding: I would like to come to EuroDIG, but I cannot afford going!
If there are any funds available, EuroDIG will launch a travel grant programme, in that case, this would be communicated through the newsletter and the mailing list. But to ensure beyond doubt that you can attend EuroDIG, we recommend finding alternative support. Here’s some food for thought:
