The Young Changemakers Academy is a programme aiming to prepare young people to take an active part in their respective communities by shaping their future in given policy areas.
About the event
The Young Changemakers Academy is a programme aiming to prepare young people to take an active part in their respective communities by shaping their future in given policy areas. The first event of the Young Changemakers Academy 2026 is organised by the European Liberal Forum (ELF) with the support of LYMEC (European Liberal Youth) and the Centre for Liberal Studies – Markos Dragoumis (KEFiM). Get ready for the first in-person event of your YCA journey on advocacy communication! Times are in local time – Athens time
Friday, 20th March
Accommodation: Acropolis Hill Hotel (7, Mouson Street, Athina 117 42, Greece) TBC
11:55 Optional Programme
Optional programme for participants who arrive earlier in Athens.
16:05 Welcome by ELF!
Venue: Acropolis Hill Hotel (7, Mouson Street, Athina 117 42, Greece) TBC
Mariam Germisashvili, Junior Communications Officer, ELF
16:20 Objectives of the Academy & Agenda-setting
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
16:30 Introduction & Presentation of the advocacy projects
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
17:15 How to plan your project
Alona Tatarova, Executive Director at the Institute of Fiscal and Economic Studies (TBC)
18:10 Closing Remarks
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
19:30 Dinner & Thematic Discussion “Renewing Democracy: The role of Young Leaders in
Rebuilding Trust”
Location: TBC
Special Guests: Myrto Korovasi (Board Member of Kinima Dimokratias Party) / Stefanos
Kasselakis (Founder and President of Kinima Dimokratias Party) (TBC)
Moderator: Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
Saturday, 21st March
09:15 Welcome
Venue: Acropolis Hill Hotel (7, Mouson Street, Athina 117 42, Greece) TBC
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
09:20 Establishing a Personal Brand as a Young Changemaker
Dimitra Papadopoulou, Political Communication Consultant
10:45 Coffee Break
11:00 From Activism to Influence: How to Approach Decision-Makers Strategically
Stefanos Loukopoulos, Co-Founder & Director, Vouliwatch (TBC) OR
Dionisis Nikolaou, General Manager, diaNEOsis (TBC)
12:15 Lunch Break
13:45 Getting your message across: Communications best practice
Mariam Germisashvili, Junior Communications Officer, ELF
15:15 Short Break
15:35 Creating change through projects
Yiannis Korkovelos, Podcast Host of the BORO Series (tbc) OR
Dr. Stefanos Tyros, Former President and Initiator of VOLT Greece
16:30 Coffee Break
17:00 Feedback and milestone building
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
17:45 Closing Remarks and next steps
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
19:30 Dinner & Thematic Discussion “The state of Liberalism in Greece and Europe”
Location: TBC
Special Guests: Georgios Archontas, Head of Educational Programs, Kefim (TBC) / Nicos
Rompapas, General Director, Kefim (TBC)
Moderator: Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
Sunday, 22nd March
Departure day
Optional: Tour of the Greek Parliament