Welcome to Nordic Youth Seminar 2026
On this page, we have gathered relevant information and program details for you.
Program
Some parts of the program are the same for everyone.
And some parts of the program runs parallel to each other. You can choose between these on the day.
Wondering what the different parts of the program contain? Just scroll down the page to see detailed descriptions of each part of the program.
The Ground rules are designed to create a respectful and safe space for everyone at the seminar. Please read them before the seminar.
Here is a packing list to help you remember the most important things.
If you need to get reimbursement, you can read more about how to apply for it here.
We've gathered all the information that you have also received by email here.
Buses depart from GOT Airport and Gothenburg Central Station
- Departure from Göteborg Centralstation at 16.00 and 16.15 (please take the one at 16.00 if possible)
- Departure from GOT Airport 15.45
How to find the buses
The bus company is called Öckeröbussarna, their logo is on all buses.
- Göteborg Centralstation: The buses are parked outside the main entrance in front of “Hotel Post” on the left side.
- GOT Airport: The buses are parked on the right side directly outside the entrance.
Arrival and room check-in
16.30-17.15
We will wait for you in the Main Building by the conference rooms, as you arrive at Nordiska Folkhögskolan
When you arrive, you must:
- Receive the key to your room
- Make your own nametag
Opening of the seminar
17.15-17.45
In Hörsalen
We’re excited to kick off Nordic Youth Seminar 2026: Engaged & inspired - together!
Get to know each other in reflection groups
17.45-18.30
In Homerooms – Snorresalen, Sal 7, Blå rummet
Everyone will be part of a reflection group during the seminar.
This group will be your “core group” during the seminar. We will start and end each day together with this group. The idea is to give you the chance to get to know some people a little bit better and provide time for you to reflect on how you are and what you want to get out of the seminar.
Each group consists of app. 6 people and is part of a Homeroom that will be facilitated by your main contact person.
You have received information about your reflection group, Homeroom and main contact person in an email from hn@duf.dk.
Introduction to theme
19.30-20.15
In Homerooms - Snorresalen, Sal 7, Blå rummet
In the homerooms, we will begin exploring the theme "Engaged & inspired - together".
We will reflect on what inspires young people to engage in youth organizations, and how engagement becomes something we create together. Through exercises and conversations, we will explore how participation takes shape in organizations and what enables people to engage.
Make your "Collaboration profile"
20.15-21.00
In Miklagård
All participants are encouraged to fill out a Collaboration Profile.
This is your chance to introduce yourself, your role, and your organization, helping everyone get a great overview of the exciting connections that can be made during the seminar!
Good morning in reflection groups
9.00-9.45
In Homerooms - Snorresalen, Sal 7, Blå rummet
Session 1 // Session 2
9.45-10.45 // 11.00-12.00
Projects and partnerships
In Snorresalen
9.45-10.45 Theme group 1:
Well-being & mental health
Diversity & inclusion
Cultural understanding
Peacebuilding
11.00-12.00 Theme group 2:
Climate & biodiversity
Engaging youth in politics and democracy
Sustainable volunteering
In this session you have the chance to connect with other people interested in the themes in focus.
And you will be provided with different tools to get ideas, create projects, start planning a cooperation, get inspiration on how to fundraise, and much more.
Facilitated by DUF (Frida)
Sustainable volunteering
9.45-10.45 // 11.00-12.00
In Sal 7
This workshop on sustainable volunteering will touch upon aspects of how to manage negative stress while being engaged. Topics will include managing expectations and actual tools for managing your work in a sustainable way.
Facilitated by LSU (Feben)
Empowering safe youth engagement
9.45-10.45 // 11.00-12.00
In Blå rummet
In this workshop we will touch on different aspects of creating safer conditions for youth engagement. Topics will include physical safety, online hate and threats as well as organizational resilience and power dynamics. The session will also reflect on preventive approaches and how to strengthen the sense of safety without reinforcing feelings of insecurity.
Facilitated by LSU (Aniina)
Creative Café / Walk and Talk
9.45-10.45 // 11.00-12.00
In Miklagård
The creative café is a space where you can either work on a creative project you have brought from home or play with some of the materials, we have brought.
You are also welcome to just hang out, relax and talk with others in a slower tempo.
Go for a Walk and Talk. Get some fresh air. Maybe talk to a new person?
We have marked a map with a 45 min walk. We've also prepared a few questions.
Everyone going on the Walk and Talk should go by Miklagård and have their name noted (so we know who is out on the walk).
Panel talk and reflection - Engaged together: A conversation on representing others
13.30-14.30
In Hörsalen
What does it mean to represent others as a young leader?
This is the question we will explore together. We will dive into themes such as how to navigate the balance between your own voice and the voice of a group, and what to do when others expect you to represent more than you actually do.
This session combines a panel conversation with shared reflection among participants. Together, we will explore the dilemmas, responsibilities and judgments that come with representing others – both inside organisations and in public spaces.
Becoming ambassadors of Nordic cooperation
14.45-15.30
In Snorresalen
Join this workshop and become an ambassador of Nordic cooperation!
Get inspired, and brainstorm concrete ideas for activities.
As an ambassador, you’ll have the chance to host activities that build partnerships, spark curiosity, or showcase the many opportunities in the Nordics - funded by the Youth Network NORD project.
You can read more about the opportunity to host "Ambassador activities" in this concept note and find even more information in this folder.
Facilitated by DUF (Hanna)
Creative Café / Walk and Talk
14.45-15.30
In Miklagård
The creative café is a space where you can either work on a creative project you have brought from home or play with some of the materials, we have brought.
You are also welcome to just hang out, relax and talk with others in a slower tempo.
Go for a Walk and Talk. Get some fresh air. Maybe talk to a new person?
We have marked a map with a 45 min walk. We've also prepared a few questions.
Everyone going on the Walk and Talk should go by Miklagård and have their name noted (so we know who is out on the walk).
Download the Walk and Talk map + questions here
Session 3 // Session 4
16.00-17.00 // 17.15-18.15
Strengthening accessibility in youth organizations: Tools, practices and learning points
16.00-17.00 // 17.15-18.15
In Snorresalen
This workshop explores how youth organizations can work with accessibility and inclusion of young people with disabilities. Drawing on experiences from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland, the session invites participants to reflect on current practices, share challenges, and exchange ideas on how to make volunteering more accessible for everyone. The workshop will also touch on tools, approaches, and how organizations can support each other in strengthening accessibility.
Facilitated by Unge funksjonshemmede (Eilif), SUMH - Sammenslutningen af Unge Med Handicap (Jens Christian), NUFT - Nätverket Unga För Tillgänglighet (Jonathan), UngÖBÍ - The Youth wing of the Icelandic Disability Alliance (Eiður)
Explore trust in Nordic societies
16.00-17.00 // 17.15-18.15
In Sal 7
What role does trust play in our democratic societies, and why is it often called "the Nordic gold"?
In this interactive workshop, you will explore social trust through practical exercises and guided dialogues. You will get to exchange different perspectives on trust from across the Nordic region, and reflect on your own experiences.
You will also leave with concrete tools to strengthen trust in your own communities, and try out the Finnish dialogue method "Timeout" for open, respectful, and constructive conversations.
Facilitated by Foreningen Norden (Anna)
What drives us? Motivation and new paths into volunteering
16.00-17.00 // 17.15-18.15
In Blå rummet
People engage for different reasons – to support a cause, to find community, to learn something new. But how do we create space for all these motivations?
This workshop introduces key perspectives on motivation in volunteering and invites participants to reflect on their own journeys. Using DUF’s motivational triangle as a framework, we will explore how cause, community and learning interact; and how an understanding of diverse motivation can open up for new people to become engaged.
Facilitated by DUF (Ea)
Creative Café / Walk and Talk
16.00-17.00 // 17.15-18.15
In Miklagård
The creative café is a space where you can either work on a creative project you have brought from home or play with some of the materials, we have brought.
You are also welcome to just hang out, relax and talk with others in a slower tempo.
Go for a Walk and Talk. Get some fresh air. Maybe talk to a new person?
We have marked a map with a 45 min walk. We've also prepared a few questions.
Everyone going on the Walk and Talk should go by Miklagård and have their name noted (so we know who is out on the walk).
Download the Walk and Talk map + questions here
Rounding off the day in reflection groups
19.45-20.45
In Homerooms – Snorresalen, Sal 7, Blå rummet
Nordic Culture Night
20.45-21.45
In Snorresalen
The stage is open to all participants!
We invite you to share a form of entertainment for the other participants – maybe something from your home country - a dance, a song, a funny story, or a small game?
Karaoke / Just Dance
21.45-23.00
In Snorresalen
We will open the floor and make sure there's room for everyone to join. So, find your favorite Icelandic sing-along-song or the best ABBA-JustDance-video you know and join the fun!
Board games
21.45-23.00
In Miklagård
Play board games with other participants!
Good morning in reflection groups
9.30-10.00
In Homerooms – Snorresalen, Sal 7, Blå rummet
Remember to check out of your room before 9.30.
Session 5 // Session 6
10.00-11.00 // 11.15-12.15
Projects and partnerships
10.00-11.00
In Snorresalen
Meet up with people you have connected with and take the next steps to make your ideas come true - or come by for a last chance to connect and share ideas with someone new!
In this session you get the opportunity and tools to share knowledge, create ideas, get inspiration on how to fundraise, create project plans and partnership agreements for your partnerships.
Facilitated by DUF (Frida)
Behind the scenes: Your participation story
10.00-11.00
In Blå rummet
Nordic democracies are under pressure from digitalisation, inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, polarisation and more, and young people are both among those most affected and most active in pushing for change. Making sure youth are involved in decision-making, especially at the local and regional levels is therefore often seen as a key to navigating uncertainty and growing discontent, however making it work in practice is not always straightforward.
In this workshop, we want to hear from you, learn from each other and have an honest conversation about what youth participation looks like across the Nordics. What has worked, what hasn't and how do we build resilient democracies that are shaped by the people who will inherit them?
This workshop is part of the project Young and Rooted: Strengthening Youth Representation in Nordic Regions.
Facilitated by Nordregio (Rebecca)
Funding opportunities for Nordic youth projects
11.15-12.15
In Snorresalen
Join us for a relaxed, informative session and get the support you need to bring your project ideas to life!
In this workshop, you will get an introduction to a selection of Nordic funding opportunities, presented by the administrators of the funds themselves.
We'll focus on:
After a short presentation, there will be a group discussion and time for individual questions. If you'd like to work on an application, feel free to bring your laptop for hands-on guidance.
Facilitated by DUF (Hanna) and Nordic Culture Point (Sidsel)
Show and share
11.15-12.15
In Sal 7
Would you like to share something you or your organization is working on?
It can be anything – from presenting your organization or an experience you’ve had to sharing knowledge, tools, or methods.
Format: Short presentations / experience sharing
If you wish to share something on a screen, please upload it to this folder or send it to Ea at eag@duf.dkno later than Sunday at 11.00.
* If there are many sign-ups, we’ll keep all presentations short.
Facilitated by DUF (Ea)
Creative Café / Walk and Talk
10.00-11.00 // 11.15-12.15
In Miklagård
The creative café is a space where you can either work on a creative project you have brought from home or play with some of the materials, we have brought.
You are also welcome to just hang out, relax and talk with others in a slower tempo.
Go for a Walk and Talk. Get some fresh air. Maybe talk to a new person?
We have marked a map with a 45 min walk. We've also prepared a few questions.
Everyone going on the Walk and Talk should go by Miklagård and have their name noted (so we know who is out on the walk).
Download the Walk and Talk map + questions here
Check out in reflection groups
13.45-14.45
In Homerooms – Snorresalen, Sal 7, Blå rummet
Joint closing of the seminar
14.45-15.15
In Hörsalen
All together, we're going to wrap up the seminar!
Buses depart
15.30
Departure from the seminar on Sunday at 15.30.
- Arrival at Göteborg Centralstation approximately 16.00
- Arrival at Göteborg-Landvetter Airport approximately 16.15
- Arrival at Copenhagen Airport approximately 20.15
JOIN NORDIC NETWORK MEETUP
May 7th - online - 16.00-17.30 (CET / DK-time)
- Connect with new – or old - friends
- Brainstorm on projects/activities
- Tools for partnerships and projects
- Tips and guidance for funding applications
Deadline for registration is May 4th at 7.30 (in the morning)