Learning Democracy by Doing: The “School Elections” Program That’s Shaping a Generation

High school students across Serbia face daily challenges due to the lack of civic education in the formal curriculum, which offers them few opportunities to learn how democracy works in practice. The “School Elections” program, one of the most successful initiatives of the Zaječar Initiative, aims to change that. Through a realistic simulation of the electoral process, young people gain the knowledge and skills they need to become active citizens and the leaders of tomorrow.

Democracy in the Classroom: How Do “School Elections” Work?

The “School Elections” program offers high school students a unique opportunity to understand the principles of democracy and the electoral process through hands-on experience. By organizing elections, running campaigns, and making decisions within their school communities, students not only learn about political systems but also develop communication, leadership, and teamwork skills—essential competencies that will serve them throughout life.

Students participating in the program go through the entire electoral process:

• Candidate nominations – Interested students collect support signatures and form campaign teams.
• Candidate training – In two-day workshops with experts, candidates learn how to craft messages, speak in public, and plan campaign strategies.
• Election campaign – From public debates and promotional materials to social media engagement, entire school communities become active participants in this dynamic process.
• Election day – A true-to-life voting experience, including ballot boxes, voting slips, and election observers.
• Winner announcement and final convention – A concluding event where students share experiences and gain additional skills through discussion and reflection.

Program Impact – Young People Driving Change

In addition to offering students a practical understanding of the election process, the “School Elections” program encourages long-term engagement in civic life. Young people who have participated in the program show greater interest in political and social issues, and many of them say this was the first time they truly understood the importance of voting and active participation in their communities.

The program is implemented in high schools across Serbia and is recognized as a significant contribution to youth civic education. Its popularity continues to grow year after year, with schools and students expressing increasing interest in joining.

From 2020 to 2024, more than 30 schools from over 20 cities have participated in the program, resulting in the election of around 60 student candidates across Serbia.

Zaječar Initiative continues to expand this program, providing more young people with the chance to gain knowledge through direct experience - knowledge that will help shape the future of democratic society.

In the coming period, the program will continue to evolve, responding to the needs of students and schools so that even more youth can experience democracy in practice.