In an exciting development for participatory democracy, the "DEMOCRACY PANELS" project, a clever play on words, encompasses both a discussion format and a visual representation. This project involves a select group of individuals who engage in public discussions about participatory democracy at the regional level and also refers to comic strip frames, as the final deliverable of the project is a comic guide.

Funded under the code 2023-3-EL02-ESC30-SOL-000170264, "DEMOCRACY PANELS" aims to promote long-term commitment (at least 12 months) from its team members to design and implement actions that foster solidarity and young people's participation in society. The initiative places a strong emphasis on enabling the team members to identify and address the main issues and challenges faced by young people in their city.

The ultimate goal is to create a graphic guide for interacting with local government. This guide will include steps for youth actions and initiatives, methods for effective communication and participation in local social life, and an overview of the rights and obligations of young people in the decision-making process.

"DEMOCRACY PANELS" focuses on the rural town of Tyrnavos and nearby towns and villages, aiming to form a core group of active, participatory youth. This initiative was sparked by a Google Forms survey titled "What I Did This Summer – An Activation Questionnaire", which pinpointed specific needs such as low participation in national elections among young voters due to seasonal work, dissatisfaction, and a lack of information about voting rights. Additionally, there is a significant lack of trust and interaction with local government despite the need for cultural and community projects.

With upcoming local elections on October 8, the need for the "DEMOCRACY PANELS" project became clear. The GRAFEIN team, motivated by these findings, collaborated with the social enterprise ComMedi to develop an action plan. Their experiences highlighted that young people in rural and non-metropolitan Greek areas face significant challenges in engaging with public and social life.

As we move forward, we are dedicated to addressing these challenges and creating opportunities for young people to express their ideas and solutions for local issues. The "DEMOCRACY PANELS" project is just the beginning of our efforts to enhance youth participation and solidarity in our community.

This initiative serves as a prime example of how young people across Europe involved in solidarity projects can actively participate in shaping their communities, ensuring their voices are heard and valued in the democratic process.