A weekend of political training, grassroots strategy, and collective inspiration in the heart of Belgrade
This July, DiEMers from across Europe will gather in Belgrade for an inspiring and practical weekend of political education, grassroots organising, and connection. The DiEM25 Academy 2025 is more than just a training event – it’s a space to reflect, recharge, and reimagine what progressive politics can look like when built together, from the ground up.
Taking place from 11–14 July at the creative cultural centre Dorćol Platz, the Academy offers a rich programme of hands-on workshops, strategic discussions, and real-world activist stories. Whether you’re a seasoned organiser or just beginning your political journey, this is your chance to sharpen your skills, meet fellow DiEM25 members, and leave with new tools, ideas and energy for the battles ahead.
From mastering public speaking with a professional coach to hearing directly from Serbian students who led mass uprisings, the sessions are designed to educate and empower. You’ll learn how to harness the media for your cause, organise locally with impact, and use DiEM25’s digital infrastructure to grow your group.
There will be space to build connections across borders, explore the political landscape through art and discussion, and even discover the historic Serbian countryside on a closing-day field trip.
If you’ve ever wanted to turn your convictions into action, or strengthen your role in this movement, this weekend is for you. Read on for the full programme and join us in Belgrade this summer. The future is not something we wait for. It’s something we organise.
2025 DiEM25 Academy Programme
Friday, July 11
20:00 – Meet and greet
Location: Dorćol Platz, Dobračina 59, Belgrade
Saturday, July 12
09:30-10:00 – Gathering at Dorćol Platz, Dobračina 59, Belgrade
10:00-10:10 – Welcome and introductions
10:10-10:30 – Opening of Gianluca Constantini’s exhibition
Gianluca Constantini is an award-winning Italian illustrator and cartoonist. He is an activist who has distinguished himself for his dedication to illustrating globally resonant political and social events.
10:30-12:30 – Body language and public speaking course, trainer Ivan Tomić
Ivan Tomić is a versatile Serbian theatre, TV and film actor. Ivan is also a stand-up comedian and public speaking coach. In his two-day course, Ivan will guide us through body language and public speaking structures, exercises of presence, projection, visibility, exposure, and more.
12:30-14:00 – Lunch break
14:00-15:30 – How to organise from the grassroots
Johannes Fehr, DiEM25’s Organising Director for Germany, will aim to answer how we can all go back to our local reality, start or join a DiEM25 group and build from there. From finding the right starting point to defining a realistic goal depending on the local reality. What are the steps to take? When does the founding of a MERA25 party make sense?
15:30-16:00 – Coffee break
16:00-17:30 – Successful grassroots activism: Students in blockade
Serbian students led the uprising that shook the country in the past year. Students will share their experiences about self-organisation, practising direct democracy and decision-making at plenums, as well as what could be the future of the movement.
17:30-17:45 – Break
17:45-19:00 – Lightning round: Voices across borders
This session with DiEM25’s Policy Director, Amir Kiyaei, is a space to surface our struggles, spotlight victories, share challenges and hard-earned lessons — and connect our actions across borders. By coming together in this way, we sharpen our strategic focus, strengthen our tactics, and ignite collaborations that make our movement greater than the sum of its parts.
Sunday, July 13
09:30-10:00 – Gathering at Dorćol Platz, Dobračina 59
10:00-12:00 – Body language and public speaking course, trainer Ivan Tomić
Continuation of the previous session
12:00-13:30 – Lunch
13:30-15:00 – How to use the media to our advantage
This session will be conducted by DiEM25’s Communication Director, Davide Castro and DiEM25’s Media Relations Coordinator, Nadia Sales Grade. We will explore the media as a powerful tool for change. We’ll cover how to communicate our messages clearly and gain media attention for our campaigns. Whether you’re launching a campaign or maintaining momentum, we’ll explore together how to make the media work for our cause.
15:00-15:30 – Coffee break
15:30-16:30 – Presentation: Using bits & bytes to grow DiEM25 at home
Did you know that as an average DiEM25 member you have a lot more powerful tools at your fingertips than the average member of other movements? We built our online infrastructure specifically to empower YOU! This session by DiEM25’s IT Coordinator, Judith Meyer, is two-fold: turning you into a power user of DiEM25’s infrastructure but also providing a space for discussing best approaches to gaining visibility and members for your group online.
16:30-18:00 – Break
18:00-19:30 – Democracy on trial: Censorship, control and the silencing of dissent
Speakers Milena Repajić, President of the Party of Radical Left from Serbia, Johannes Fehr from MERA25 Germany, and Erik Edman from DiEM25/MERA25 Greece will join Julijana Zita, member of DiEM25’s Coordinating Collective, to talk about what’s really putting democracy at risk today. From censorship to crackdowns on free speech, they’ll break down how those in power are trying to silence critical voices — and why speaking up, questioning authority, and defending our rights matters now more than ever.
Monday, July 14
10:00 – Bus tour, departure to Brankovina
11:30 – Brankovina tour
13:00 – Departure from Brankovina
14:00 – National Museum, Valjevo
15:00 – Lunch and free time in Valjevo
19:00 – Departure to Belgrade
20:30 – Drop-off at KC Grad, Braće Krsmanović 4
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