Network 2026: Fostering, Empowering and Strengthening Cross-Border Partnerships within the Green Habito CSO Network

Network 2026 is a Green Habito initiative designed to strengthen cross-border cooperation and increase the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs) across the Nordic-Baltic region and wider Europe.

The project promotes cooperation around the interconnected themes of peace and security, democratic resilience, digital democracy, media literacy, societal resilience, the green transition, sustainability and civic participation. Through capacity building, knowledge exchange and joint initiatives, the project supports CSOs in contributing to a sustainable, democratic, resilient and peaceful future for the Nordic-Baltic region.

Network annual aim

The project particularly seeks to:

• strengthen sustainable cross-border partnerships between CSOs;
• improve organisational capacity and exchange practical knowledge and good practices;
• increase civil society involvement in democratic resilience, societal security and crisis preparedness;
• strengthen media literacy, critical thinking and resilience to disinformation;
• promote youth participation, digital democracy and civic engagement;
• support the green transition and socially, economically and environmentally sustainable communities;
• improve cooperation between civil society, public authorities, researchers, educational institutions, media and other stakeholders.

Network and participating countries

Network 2026 brings together civil society organisations, experts, educators and community actors from:

Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Greece.

The network provides a platform for exchanging experience, developing joint initiatives and building long-term partnerships between Nordic, Baltic and other European civil society actors.

Core annual activities

• Feb-June 2026 – Virtual skills workshops with enagement of Nordic experts, conducted by each partner on how CSOs could play an effective role in achievement of Nordic Vision of Agenda 2030 by using holistic approch to Sustainability & new solution tools.
• 20-23 August 2026: Management Meeting and Nordic Media Festival (Helsinki, Finland): The four-day event focused on youth media literacy, critical thinking, digital democracy and resilience in the age of artificial intelligence and disinformation. The programme included a partner management meeting, expert panels, youth dialogues, practical workshops on fact-checking, digital storytelling and online activism, a digital exhibition of youth-produced media content, a study visit to Yle. The festival strengthened cooperation among young people, educators, journalists, media professionals and civil society organisations from across the Nordic-Baltic region.
• 1-3. September 2026 Internaitonal Trainings (Lübeck, Germany): The meeting will be focusing on democracy protection, security, peace, culture protection, digitalisation and social resilience – reflects governmental and societal interactions. Meeting and training includes activities like: thematic trainings & workshops, high level public discussions, exchange of personal/organisational experience plus interactions with field experts from Government and  NGOs sector.
• 30 September–2 October 2026 The eighth Celebrating Our Diversity Forum, World Culture Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden. Under the theme “Building Democracy Together,” the forum will bring together members Green Habito and alumni of the Anna Lindh Foundation to explore the role of civil society in safeguarding democracy and democratic values. The programme includes expert discussions, networking, a World Café, capacity-building Practitioners Labs, cultural activities and opportunities to develop new international partnerships and exchange good practices.
• 1-4 November 2026: Cooperation and Development Meeting 2026 (Nordic–Baltic Project Preparatory Partners’ Meeting, International Training and Study Visit in Copenhagen, Denmark). Organised with Aalborg University, the programme will strengthen civil society cooperation and capacity in societal resilience, civil preparedness, crisis management and media literacy. Through expert training, peer learning and study visits, participants will exchange Nordic–Baltic practices addressing hybrid threats, disinformation, human rights, vulnerable groups and community resilience. Partners will also jointly develop a project application for funding from the Nordic Council of Ministers. Invited key experts: Laura Rajala, Femina (Finland); Vassili Golikov, SSCW (Estonia); G; and Annemarie Balle, Folkevirke (Denmark), German Morris, CDS (Estonia), Mira Kelbe, IKF (Sweden) and Gunta Viksne, Shelter “Safe House” (Latvia). View the meeting and training agenda.
• 26-29 November 2026: Security and Civil Society Conference (Narva, Estonia): The four-day international conference, “Safer and Stronger Together: Strengthening Europe’s Civil Resilience and Preparedness in a Time of Realpolitik,” will bring together civil society organisations, policymakers, researchers, journalists and security experts from the Nordic–Baltic, European and Mediterranean regions. The programme will include keynote speeches, expert panels, working groups, study visits and networking activities focused on societal security, civil preparedness, hybrid threats, disinformation, democratic resilience, human-centred security and regional cooperation. Participants will exchange good practices and contribute to the Narva Declaration on Societal Resilience and the Strengthening of Human-Centred Security, setting out shared recommendations and priorities for future cooperation. View the conference agenda.

1. Stronger cross-border CSO cooperation

A stronger and more active network of civil society organisations will be established, with improved connections between Nordic, Baltic and other European partners. Partners will develop new joint initiatives, exchange expertise and identify opportunities for future cooperation.

2. Increased organisational capacity

CSO leaders, youth workers and community representatives will gain new skills and knowledge in:

• sustainability;
• societal resilience;
• crisis preparedness;
• media literacy;
• digital democracy;
• civic participation;
• project development and policy engagement.

3. Improved exchange of Nordic-Baltic good practices

Partners will exchange practical approaches and innovative solutions and adapt successful Nordic experiences to different national and local contexts.

This will strengthen mutual learning between Nordic and Baltic civil society organisations.

4. Stronger democratic and media resilience

Participants will improve their capacity to recognise disinformation and manipulation, support responsible media use and promote democratic dialogue.

Civil society organisations will be better equipped to contribute to information resilience and public trust.

5. Increased youth participation and empowerment

Young people will have greater opportunities to:

• participate in discussions and decision-making;
• develop their own initiatives;
• produce media content;
• cooperate internationally;
• engage with policymakers, journalists and civil society leaders.

The project supports young people not only as participants but also as active contributors and co-creators of resilient democratic communities.

6. Stronger societal and community resilience

Civil society organisations will improve their ability to work with communities, municipalities and other stakeholders in preparing for social, environmental, security and information-related challenges.

Special attention will be paid to inclusion and the needs of vulnerable groups.

7. New projects and sustainable partnerships

Network activities will support the development of new Nordic-Baltic cooperation initiatives and funding applications.

The project therefore functions not only as a series of individual events but as a platform for generating long-term partnerships and new joint projects.

Long-term impact

Network 2026 seeks to create sustainable social, democratic and environmental impact in line with the 2030 Agenda.

By empowering civil society organisations and strengthening cooperation across borders, the project contributes to communities that are:

• more democratic and participatory;
• better prepared for crises;
• more resilient to disinformation and hybrid threats;
• environmentally and socially sustainable;
• inclusive and capable of protecting vulnerable groups;
• better connected across the Nordic-Baltic region.

A key long-term objective is to maintain an active and sustainable Green Habito CSO Network beyond the project period.

The network will continue to:

• exchange good practices;
• develop joint projects;
• advocate for sustainable and resilient policies;
• organise international trainings and study visits;
• strengthen Nordic-Baltic civil society cooperation;
• organise annual networking and conference activities.

Network 2026 is ultimately about moving from individual projects to lasting cooperation – connecting civil society organisations, young people, experts and communities so that together they can build a more sustainable, democratic, resilient and peaceful Nordic-Baltic region.