DIAlogue: From Culture of Debate to Social Participation – DIA’s Capacity Building

The project aims to address two closely interconnected challenges: the need to strengthen young people’s democratic participation and the skills required for constructive social dialogue, and the need to ensure the organisational and financial sustainability of DIA, which works towards these goals.
At the societal level, key challenges include young people’s limited participation in public life, the need to develop critical thinking, argumentation and debating skills, and the difficulties of fostering constructive dialogue between people with different opinions. The project seeks to provide young people with safe, supportive community spaces and innovative educational tools that help them express their views, understand different perspectives and actively engage in societal issues. Another challenge is the unequal geographical accessibility of such opportunities, highlighting the need to gradually expand the debate club network, strengthen regional presence and promote the wider use of innovative methodologies.
At the organisational level, the main challenge is establishing the conditions for stable and predictable long-term operations. Dependence on project-based funding, limited diversification of income sources, restricted human resources and periodic staff overload all make it difficult to maintain and expand professional activities. There is also a need to further improve internal processes, digital infrastructure, staff competencies and partnerships.
The project therefore aims to strengthen both DIA’s professional impact and its organisational stability. Organisational capacity building, diversification of funding sources, support for the “We Are All in the Same Boat” debate club network, and the development of the VoxPop educational tool will collectively contribute to DIA’s ability to continue its activities beyond the funding period. In doing so, the project will support the long-term development of young people’s democratic competencies, encourage active citizenship and promote a more open, participatory and democratic society.

The overall aim of the project is to strengthen DIA’s long-term organisational and financial sustainability, further develop its professional activities and increase its social impact. The organisation seeks to establish a stable, transparent and efficient operational model that will enable it to continue developing young people’s democratic competencies, encouraging active citizenship and promoting a culture of constructive dialogue beyond the funding period.
One of the project’s key objectives is to strengthen organisational capacities, improve internal processes and digital infrastructure, and enhance staff competencies. Through training, coaching and supervision, the project aims to support professional development, reduce periodic staff overload and improve organisational efficiency. At the same time, it seeks to gradually increase financial independence, diversify income sources, identify new funding opportunities and establish strategic partnerships.
From a professional perspective, the project focuses on maintaining and gradually expanding the “We Are All in the Same Boat” community debate club network. The aim is to have 25–28 active debate clubs operating across 4–5 regions by the end of the project, providing young people with opportunities to develop critical thinking, argumentation and debating skills, cooperation and democratic participation. The project will also support the professional development of debate clubs, organise training sessions and workshops, and strengthen regional cooperation.
Another important objective is to develop, implement and promote innovative educational tools, particularly the VoxPop debate game. Through new educational materials and methodological approaches, DIA aims to make democratic skills development more accessible in a wider range of educational and community settings.
In the long term, the project aims to establish DIA as a recognised professional centre with stronger organisational capacities, sustainable funding, qualified staff and an expanding network of national and international partnerships. These developments will enable the organisation to reach more young people and support them in becoming informed, responsible, open-minded and active citizens, while contributing to a stronger culture of democratic dialogue and participation in Hungary.

The project aims to achieve tangible and long-term sustainable results both in strengthening DIA’s organisational operations and in developing young people’s democratic competencies. The direct beneficiaries include DIA’s staff, professionals involved in running the debate club network, teachers, youth workers and young people participating in the programmes. Indirectly, the project also seeks to have a positive impact on educational institutions, civil society organisations and wider society.
At the organisational level, the project is expected to make DIA’s operations more stable, transparent and efficient. Improvements in internal processes, digital infrastructure and staff competencies will contribute to strengthening organisational capacities. By the end of the project, a professional team of approximately 7–8 staff members is expected to ensure the continuous implementation of programmes. Training, coaching and supervision will support staff development, reduce workload pressures and promote sustainable working practices. In terms of financial management, the project aims to diversify income sources, gradually reduce dependence on grant funding and establish the conditions for more predictable financial operations.
Regarding professional programmes, one of the most important expected results is the strengthening and gradual expansion of the “We Are All in the Same Boat” community debate club network. By the end of the project, approximately 25–28 active debate clubs are expected to operate across 4–5 regions in Hungary. The clubs will receive regular professional support, while club facilitators and other professionals involved will have opportunities to develop their skills through training, workshops and methodological development activities. Stronger regional cooperation will help debate clubs become active, increasingly independent and sustainable communities.
In terms of methodological development, new educational and training materials will be created and implemented, alongside the further development of the VoxPop debate game. Through related workshops and training activities, these tools will become accessible to a growing number of teachers, youth workers and civil society organisations, supporting the development of democratic competencies in both formal and non-formal education.
For young people, the most important expected results are improvements in critical thinking, argumentation and debating skills, communication, cooperation and social responsibility. Young people participating in debate clubs and other community programmes will learn to express their opinions in a well-reasoned manner, respect different perspectives and engage constructively in discussions about issues affecting their communities. The project will therefore contribute to strengthening their self-confidence, initiative and active citizenship.
In the long term, the project will provide DIA with a stronger professional and organisational foundation, enabling it to maintain and gradually develop its programmes beyond the funding period. Qualified professionals, improved methodological tools, more stable funding and an expanding network of national and international partners will collectively support the sustainability of the results. Ultimately, wider society will benefit from the project, as young people equipped with democratic competencies, openness, cooperation skills and a willingness to participate actively will contribute to building a more inclusive, dialogue-oriented and democratic society.