Throughout 2025, five National Open Capacity-Building Youth Camps were organized as part of the EU-funded project RESTART, coordinated by Libera (Italy) in partnership with BASTA (Belgium), Eine Welt (Germany), Repubblika (Malta), and ACDD (Romania) – all members of the CHANCE network.
These events brought together young people from across Europe around a common goal: to strengthen democratic participation, promote social justice, and fight organized crime through the social and public reuse of confiscated, abandoned and unoccupied assets. Participants underwent comprehensive training, got to know the people who manage social reuse projects, and in some cases lent a hand in the day-to-day running of these spaces!
Bucharest, Romania, January 22-25 – Fundamental Rights and Democracy at the Heart of the Debate
The Bucharest camp offered an opportunity to deepen understanding of democratic principles, fundamental rights, and the rule of law through interactive conferences and intercultural exchanges. Participants debated the current challenges facing European democracies, and had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the workings of the Romanian National Agency for Asset Recovery (ANABI).
Brussels, Belgium, May 29-31 – Reuse to Rebuild: The Power of the Collective
The camp highlighted the social and public reuse of abandoned or unused properties as a tool for community development, with focuses on the role of the Social Economy. Field visits and collaborative activities allowed participants to explore how civil society can bring new life to neglected spaces, transforming them into centers of civic participation and innovation.
Leipzig, Germany, August 9-11 – Whistleblowers and Digital Tools for Transparency
In Leipzig, workshops focused on best practices for protecting whistleblowers and on the use of reporting applications that enhance citizen participation and transparency. Young participants tested innovative tools and discussed how technology can support the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Gozo, Malta, September 2-5, 2025 – Understanding How Institutions Work
In Brussels, young people took part in a workshop on the functioning of governments, political decision-making processes, and the role of civil society in shaping inclusive public policies. Interactive discussions emphasized the importance of democratic dialogue and transparency, especially in the management of public resources and confiscated assets.
Sessa Aurunca, Italy, September 8-13 – Discovering the Potential of Confiscated Assets
The last camp, held in the Cooperative “Al di là dei sogni”, a social project born in a place confiscated from the camorra, allowed participants to explore the social and economic value of reusing assets.
Through workshops on economic sustainability and business plan development, young people reflected on how to turn a social project into an ethical and sustainable enterprise capable of strengthening the community fabric.These experiences, rich in exchange and learning, helped shape a new generation of European citizens committed to defending democratic values and promoting social justice. This collective engagement is essential to reclaim territories and build a fairer, more inclusive, and more resilient Europe in the face of organized crime.
