About the Democracy Classroom network
Democracy Classroom is a collaborative network of non-partisan organisations supporting young people to take part in democracy and elections.
Who we are
Democracy Classroom is made up of over 100 local and national organisations from across the UK that specialise in youth, education and democracy.
We have been working together since 2017, pooling our resources, training and support to ensure teachers and practitioners have everything they need to help young people cast a meaningful vote. We support local, regional, devolved and national elections across the UK as well as supporting young people to engage in democracy outside of elections and use their voice.
The Network is convened by The Politics Project, and Funded by the Electoral Commission and the UK Democracy Fund.
How does the Network support its members?
We connect
We support partners to work together through an annual conference, monthly meetings and specialist working groups.
We coordinate
We support partners to coordinate their work through mapping the work taking place across the network and tracking member activity with different schools, colleges and youth organisations.
We influence
We support the network to have an influence on important new initiatives like Votes at 16. We support members through developing joint submissions and engaging collectively with government and funders.
We amplify
We support partners to expand their reach through our collective practitioner newsletters and shared resources platform. We currently work in over 95% of UK Parliamentary constituencies.
Our impact so far
Curriculum and Assessment Review response
In November 2024 we co-wrote a submission to the Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review with the Electoral Commission and over 40 partners from across the network. The response called for Citizenship and Democracy Education to be compulsory in the curriculum and for teachers to be given more training and support to deliver democracy education. In the new curriculum, announced in November 2025, the Department for Education announced that Citizenship would be made compulsory in Primary schools for the first time.
A Roadmap to Votes at 16
In July 2025 we collectively developed 16 recommendations to make Votes at 16 a success with sector partners, academics, teachers and young people. The Roadmap to Votes at 16 was launched in the Houses of Parliament with the democracy minister, and we are continuing to work across the government to implement the recommendations.
Join the Democracy Classroom network
For teachers and youth practitioners
Interested in accessing our resources and support? Sign up to the site here and explore our resources and training.
If you’d like to keep up with opportunities from across our partner network, sign up to our monthly newsletter.
For new partner organisations
Are you a youth, democracy or education organisation that wants to join the network? Email us at partnerships@thepoliticsproject.org.uk
Membership is completely free, and you’ll benefit from monthly meetings, our sector round-up email, an annual conference, and opportunities to connect with youth practitioners and teachers.
For everyone else
We also support a network of academics, policy-makers and funders to engage with the network.
Email us at partnerships@thepoliticsproject.org.uk if you’d like to get in touch or explore ways to get involved.
