The Network Effect, initiated by the British Council in partnership with local organisations, was a series of discussion forums for bright and committed young people, with the aim of nurturing networks between these future innovators and influencers.

The first forum took place in Stockholm in October 2005. Subsequent forums have been held in Amsterdam (June 2006), Bratislava (October 2006), Istanbul (March 2007), Tallinn (May 2007), and Berlin (October 2007).

The forums addressed a diverse range of issues, but all of them were trying to answer the question: ‘What sort of Europe do we want to live in?’

Participants have come from 37 countries in Europe and beyond – from Portugal to Russia; Finland to Azerbaijan.  They were dissatisfied with traditional routes of changing the world (such as working in politics, or NGOs or in the media).

Each forum is attended by around 35 young participants – some for the first time; some who have taken part in previous forums. They spend two and a half days together in lively debate, exchanging views and generating ideas. They also visit local organisations who are working in the area that is being discussed.

Topics explored included:

• the increasing democratic deficit in Europe, and the role of the media in this
  
  
• are cities the best means of meeting the challenges of Europe’s diversity?
  
  
• the changing roles of non-governmental organisations in the 21st century
  
  
• corporate social responsibility
  
• the changing demographics of Europe, and the challenges and opportunities this brings.

In the final Network Effect forum in Belfast in June 2009, young people who participated in previous forums submitted proposals of projects with the aim of bringing about a positive change to a particular debated issue.