Bulgaria · Pazardzhik
Emrullah Enes BAYRAM
"As group leader of the Turkish team at the Digital Democracy Erasmus+ youth exchange, Emrullah Enes Bayram discovered how technology can strengthen democracy and gained experience in leadership and international teamwork."
Programme
Digital Democracy: Youth Voices Online! — Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
October 28, 2026
From Technology to Democracy: Leading a Group at Digital Democracy 🇧🇬
Hi, I’m Enes. From 28 October to 6 November 2026, I took part in the Digital Democracy: Youth Voices Online! project in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria. Organised under Erasmus+, this project meant both a new country and a whole new perspective for me.
As a computer programming graduate I have always been comfortable with technology, but it was through this project that I understood technology can also be used to strengthen democracy.
6 Countries, 36 Young People, 10 Days
The project brought together 36 young people from 6 different countries. Over 10 days we discussed digital participation tools, e-voting systems, tackling misinformation and how young people can be involved in decision-making.
In the workshops we identified a real problem and designed a solution for it together.
Being a Group Leader
I took part in the project as the group leader of the Turkish team, and this role gave me a strong sense of responsibility.
Representing our team, bringing my friends’ ideas into the joint work and coordinating with groups from other countries showed me that leadership is not only about showing the way. It is also about listening, finding common ground and making sure everyone’s voice is heard.
Along the way, I also improved my time management, team communication and intercultural teamwork skills.
Ways to Make Our Voices Heard
Many of us felt our voices were not heard in elections and local decisions. Together we saw that this gap can close when we use digital tools well.
Teamwork also gave me courage when I hesitated to speak English; as the project went on, I began to express myself much more comfortably.
From Volunteering to Having a Say
I have volunteered with various civil society organisations since childhood. This project took that experience to an international level and taught me something important: volunteering is not only about helping, it is about using your right to have a say.
Thank You
I sincerely thank KOZ-DER for making this experience possible, our host organisation Association FORUM, my teammates and all the young people I met during the project. 💙