🎙 Youth Voices at ALDA – Inside the Volunteering Experience

What does it mean to volunteer within an international organisation working on participation and local democracy? 

In this episode of Shades of Democracy, we dive deep into the experience of the young people who join ALDA each year through the Italian Civil Service (Servizio Civile Universale) — a programme that places volunteers in ALDA’s offices across Europe, where they become fully integrated members of the team.

Listeners will hear from nine volunteers based in Brussels and Strasbourg, as they share their first impressions, the challenges they encountered, and the moments that shaped their understanding of participation and democracy in practice. From project work to field missions, from learning new skills to navigating international environments, their reflections offer a sincere and insightful look into this experience.

💬 Guest: Valeria Picchi, former volunteer of the 2024–2025 cycle and now part of ALDA’s staff, joins Manal to reflect on her journey — what surprised her, what she learned, and how this experience continues to influence her work today.

🎧 Tune in to discover:
• What volunteering at ALDA looks like behind the scenes
• How young people experience participation through everyday work
• Why volunteering can be understood as a democratic experience
• How democracy is lived in practice within a European network

This episode is a tribute to the volunteers who contribute their curiosity, dedication, and perspectives to ALDA each year — and a reminder that democracy is strengthened through active engagement and shared responsibility.

Useful links:
Italian Civil Service at ALDA ➡️ https://www.alda-europe.eu/universal-civil-service-at-alda-2025/ 
Servizio Civile Universale ➡️ https://www.politichegiovanili.gov.it/
ALDA Website ➡️ https://www.alda-europe.eu/resources/shades-of-democracy-season-4/