Residents of Purvciems and Madona invited to win a place in an international discussion at the European Parliament 

To promote citizen involvement in shaping EU policy, the Civic Alliance-Latvia (CA;) has carried out outreach in Purvciems (Riga) and will do so in Madona from May 22 to June 7. Residents are invited to enter a lottery for a chance to win a fully funded trip to the European Parliament in Brussels and take part in an international panel discussion. 

Two winners will be selected — one from Purvciems and one from Madona. The prize includes participation in the panel discussion “Strengthening Democratic Resilience in the European Union.” 

Such citizens’ panels have been held for several years. Participants from Latvia join others from across the EU to contribute to policy discussions, with their recommendations submitted to EU institutions. 

Frequently asked questions 

Do I need prior knowledge? 

No. The main requirement is willingness to participate, share opinions, and engage in discussions. Interpretation will be provided, so English is not required. 

How are people selected? 

In Purvciems, outreach has already taken place; in Madona it will follow. Those approached can register for a lottery, from which two participants (one per location) will be randomly selected. 

Outreach is conducted using a European Commission tool to ensure a representative sample. Identification badges are used for transparency, and participation is voluntary. 

What is the panel discussion? 

It is a deliberative process at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together 150 randomly selected citizens from all EU countries to discuss key European issues and develop policy recommendations. 

Benefits of participation 

Participants gain international experience, meet citizens from across Europe, and contribute directly to EU policymaking. All travel, accommodation, and meals are covered, plus €80 per day allowance. 

Sessions: 

Sept 18–20 (Brussels) 

Oct 16–18 (online) 

Nov 20–22 (Brussels) 

More information here. 

Dalies: