UEF NETWORK ACADEMY 4 | Twinning program method/Reviving a national section, how to bring people together?
The in-person workshop “Twinning Program Method / Reviving a National Section – How to Bring People Together?” was organised as a direct continuation of the previous workshop “Increasing Organisational Capacity of the Balkanic Federalist Family.”
Building on the insights and methodologies developed during the role-play simulation, this second workshop shifted the focus from strategic planning to collective reflection and peer-to-peer exchange. The objective was to create a structured debate among members of different national sections in order to help them identify their main organisational weaknesses, reflect on their underlying causes, and discuss concrete strategies to reduce these weaknesses while strengthening existing assets.
Rather than a laboratory or simulation format, the workshop was conceived as an open and inclusive discussion, encouraging all participants to contribute their experiences, challenges, and ideas, and to explore how the twinning approach—cooperation between sections at different stages of development—can support the revival and consolidation of national federalist organisations.
REPORT
The workshop gathered 27 members in presence, coming from the UEF sections of Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo, and Hungary.
All participants actively took part in the discussion. Each member was invited to intervene and share their perspective, ensuring a balanced and inclusive debate. More experienced members contributed with long-term strategic vision and institutional memory, while younger participants brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas for addressing long-standing challenges.
Throughout the discussion, several common structural problems affecting national sections clearly emerged:
- a limited number of active volunteers, often with insufficient organisational and communication skills;
- very limited financial resources, with sections relying almost exclusively on membership fees;
- a lack of technical competences, particularly in the field of communication and digital tools.
Participants collectively reflected on how these challenges can be addressed through mutual support, knowledge sharing, and targeted capacity-building efforts within the federalist family. The discussion highlighted the value of the twinning program method as a practical tool to connect stronger or more experienced sections with those facing difficulties, enabling mentoring, exchange of best practices, and joint initiatives.
The workshop confirmed the importance of community building, intergenerational dialogue, and cross-border cooperation as key elements for reviving national sections and bringing people together around the federalist cause.
