See the Signs – A hybrid exhibition project about endangered democracy in Germany, Italy, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina from the point view of creative young people.

Political awareness begins with an interest in concrete issues and a debate about values. In addition, the mere knowledge of how democratic processes work and where and how one can start with one's political agenda is another prerequisite for democratic action. The "See the Signs" project aimed to address both these facets. For young people, the idea of Europe begins to crumble. Peace and global networking cannot be taken for granted anymore. Simultaneously, nationalism and threats to democracy are rising both online and in everyday contexts. In "See the Signs," four organizations interested in democratic values, global learning, and European awareness aimed to counter these issues. Through a transnational, hybrid exhibition, they enabled young people to express their views on threats to democracy in their lives and countries. Instead of portraying these experiences as unbearable, they were made visible through a hybrid exhibition with an accompanying concept. Young people should get to know the value of democracy better. At the same time, the project should lead to the recognition of transnational similarities between young people and encourage their commitment to democracy.

By implementing the "See the Signs" project, we aimed to raise awareness among young people and youth work professionals about the growing threats to democracy and peaceful coexistence in Europe. We wanted to provide a platform for young people to express their views on these issues creatively and emotionally through a hybrid exhibition featuring display boards with graphics, text, and videos using digital storytelling. Additionally, we sought to empower young people, particularly those from underrepresented and marginalized groups, by giving them the opportunity to step out of the "invisible" space, identify grievances, and formulate demands in a safe, supportive environment. We also aimed to facilitate the dissemination and multiplication of the exhibition's content and methodology through the development of pedagogical materials and the qualification of young people as "Exhibition Guides See the Signs online/offline." By creating occasions for debate and encouraging young people to bring their own topics into public discourse, we hoped to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of democratic values. Ultimately, our objective was to make democracy visible as an endangered achievement and to stimulate ongoing engagement.