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STRIDE - Strengthening Trust, Resilience, and Institutions of Digital Democracy in Europe

STRIDE empowers professionals to lead democratic change through digital innovation and inclusive governance. Participants gain hands-on tools and insights for strengthening trust, resilience, and institutions of digital democracy in Europe.

Organised by Linköping University and the University of Tartu, STRIDE empowers early to mid-career professionals in public administration, policymaking, and civil society to drive democratic change. The course focuses on democratic governance, digital transformation, and leadership, offering insights from Sweden and Estonia—global pioneers in digital government and democracy.

Participants will explore critical topics such as AI ethics, surveillance, institutional trust, and digital inclusion, gaining practical tools to strengthen governance and policymaking in their home countries. The course combines engaging online modules with an immersive onsite experience in Sweden and Estonia, featuring expert-led lectures, study visits, and hands-on workshops. Participants will also benefit from a strong professional network, fostering cross-border collaboration with peers across the region.

Who can participate?

The STRIDE course is designed for early to mid-career professionals aged 25–40 (born 1985–2000) from the EU´s Eastern Partnership countries:
Armenia, Azerbaijan*, Belarus*, Georgia*, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Eligible applicants:

  • Work in public administration, politics, business, or civil society
  • Are subject matter experts or otherwise professionally connected to the course’s focus areas, such as democracy, governance, and digital transformation
  • Have good knowledge of English (the course language)
  • Are motivated to act as changemakers in their home contexts

Note: From Azerbaijan, Belarus and Georgia, only candidates from civil society are eligible.

Former SAYP participants or Swedish Institute scholarship holders may apply but are only considered for reserve places.

Modules and activities

Course structure

STRIDE is designed to build capacity among young public servants, civil society workers, and policymakers from the EU's Eastern Partnership countries. It addresses contemporary challenges to democracy and civic participation through an intensive academic and practical program. The course combines theoretical insights with practical tools to understand and strengthen democratic processes in the participants' home countries.

The STRIDE course is delivered in three parts:

Online Preparatory Phase (December 2025 - May 2026)

Before the on-site sessions, participants will engage in self-paced digital learning via Moodle and Zoom. This phase includes:

  • Recorded lectures on core concepts of democracy, policy, and youth engagement
  • Interactive assignments and readings
  • Introductory webinars and peer-group meetings

On-Site Intensive Programme in Estonia & Sweden (6 - 17 June 2026)

A dynamic two-week programme featuring:

  • Workshops and lectures on civic education, digital youth participation, and regional governance challenges
  • Case studies and simulations, including role-playing games to understand local policy-making
  • Field visits to government institutions, NGOs, and community initiatives in Linköping and Tartu
  • YouthLab and policy labs, where participants co-develop innovative policy proposals and community engagement strategies
  • Cultural exchange activities to deepen mutual understanding across borders

Post-Module Engagement (August 2026 - May 2027)

After the module, participants remain connected via:

  • Alumni networks
  • Collaborative project opportunities
  • Policy impact initiatives
A lecture with students who are taking a summer course at LInköping University.

Key themes and focus areas

STRIDE engages participants in exploring:

  • Civic engagement and democratic innovation
  • Digital governance and public sector transformation
  • Institutional trust and democratic legitimacy
  • Political participation and public accountability

Preliminary progamme to download

Estimated workload distribution

How to apply

The application for STRIDE will open on 17 June.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed applications by following the guidelines listed below:

Required Documents

  • Letter of Motivation
  • Letter of Reference
  • English Language Certificate
  • CV (Europass format)

Document Naming Convention
Name your files using the course name "STRIDE" and your full name (e.g., "STRIDE_John_Doe").

Application Deadline
All documents must be uploaded by the deadline 26 August, 23:59 (CET).

Failure to upload these documents will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for selection.

Application

The application for the course will open on 17 June. You are welcome to submit your application until 26 August. The decision will be communicated at the end of October.

Meet the team

The STRIDE course is run by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of scholars from Linköping University in Sweden and the University of Tartu in Estonia, bringing together deep expertise in digital governance, democratic engagement, and European integration.

The core team includes Associate Professor Mariana S. Gustafsson, who serves as project leader and brings extensive experience in international governance and leadership education. Professor Elin Wihlborg contributes her longstanding research expertise in digital government and democratic innovation. From the University of Tartu, Dmytro Khutkyy, Head of the Ukraine Centre, offers critical insights into Eastern European governance and civic participation. Together, this team combines academic rigor with applied knowledge to create a transformative learning environment for emerging changemakers across Europe.

Photo of Mariana S Gustafsson

Mariana S Gustafsson

Associate Professor, Docent

Photo of Elin Wihlborg

Elin Wihlborg

Professor

Photo of Carl-Johan Sommar

Carl-Johan Sommar

Postdoc

Photo of Helena Iacobaeus

Helena Iacobaeus

Lecturer

Photo of Madeleine Nyberg

Madeleine Nyberg

Administrator

STRIDE – A Course within the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP)

STRIDE is part of the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) – a training programme developed to build awareness, capacity, and resilience in the practice of democratic governance and EU integration. SAYP brings together young professionals from Eastern Europe and other selected regions, offering them a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, develop skills, and build networks for sustainable democratic development.

The STRIDE course continues the legacy of the successful SeGRID programme (Summer School on Sustainable e-Government for Resilience, Innovation, and Democracy), which was hosted by Linköping University from 2017 to 2023. Through SeGRID, more than 300 participants from the Eastern Partnership countries engaged in capacity-building around democratic governance and digital transformation, creating a strong network of professionals, educators, and alumni.

Building on this foundation, STRIDE represents the next chapter—combining SeGRID’s proven pedagogical approach with new thematic developments and international partnerships. As part of SAYP, STRIDE contributes to the broader mission of strengthening democratic institutions and public administration in Eastern Europe, empowering a new generation of leaders and changemakers.

Funding

Get to know the hosts

People sitting at a curved desk in a dimly lit room with a large screen displaying colorful circular data and numbers: 670, 483, 168, 19.

Political Science (STATSV)

The division of Political Science conducts research and offers education at the basic and advanced level. Political Science is about politics, power and democracy.
Studenthuset, campus Valla, large red building

Campus Valla

Valla is the oldest and largest campus of ¸£Àû¼§ with students from many programmes and research in many fields. Campus Valla is located about three kilometres from Linköping city centre.

Visit ¸£Àû¼§

Maps, information for visitors and information about the four campuses: Campus Valla and the University Hospital Campus (both in Linköping), Campus Norrköping (in Norrköping) and Campus Lidingö (in Stockholm).

News

A lecture with students who are taking a summer course at LInköping University.

International leadership programmes at LiU promote democracy and inclusion

Starting in autumn 2025, ¸£Àû¼§ (LiU) will host two international leadership programmes within the framework of the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP).

Q and A

Questions and Answers regarding the organisation of STRIDE 2025-2026

What does the course cost?

The course is completely funded, with no expenses required from the participants. This includes travel, accommodation, and all meals.

How many credits do I get for the course?

This course is designed for young professionals, rather than university students, and therefore does not offer university credits. Participation requires possession of a university degree.

Do I need an English language certificate?

If you have completed your university studies in English, this will be accepted as proof of your proficiency. Alternatively, if you can demonstrate your competence through other means. English language proficiency will also be assessed during the interview process.

How many days do you plan for on-campus in Sweden and Estonia?

You will spend about nine days with activities planned both in Sweden and Estonia (including travel days).

Is the first part (online module) connected to the second part (on-site module) of the Stride course?

Yes, and in order to be considered for the on-site module, you will have to take an active part in the online module.

Will our assignments be graded?

While your assignments will not receive traditional grades, we do expect you to actively participate in both the digital and on-site modules. Active engagement in the digital module is a prerequisite for attending the on-site part in Sweden and Estonia.

I do not have a Teams, will I miss out on information from you, or should I open an account? 

No, you will receive all necessary information by e-mail from us organisers. We will add you to the Teams platform via your email address.

Will you share study material with us before the digital and on-site modules?

Yes, we use the Teams platform to upload and share all material with you.

Testimonials

Insigths into SeGRID

Watch the video and hear from SeGRID 2023 alumni sharing their experiences with the course.

A lecture with students who are taking a summer course at LInköping University.

Participant reviews of SeGRID

Read the testimonials to find out what previous participants have to say about the course.