Empowering Youth
Our Purpose
We lift the voices of community organizers, activists, storytellers, creatives, and journalists.
We believe in doing democracy differently, by making room in politics for the grassroots voices that must be heard. Our vision is to connect civic communities in Europe and the United States of America, with a view to opening up to the whole world. Through the organization of events and initiatives, we aim to empower young people to actively participate in democracy and become the leaders of tomorrow. Join us in our mission to create a more inclusive and participatory democracy for all.
Our mission
Civics International works to empower local civic leaders, researchers, artists, journalists, and activists from various countries as they advance systemic change through storytelling, advocacy, and voter engagement.
Our Journey
Established with the belief that meaningful change starts with the voices of the youth, we have been actively working to create a global network of empowered young leaders. Our journey is fueled by the passion to redefine the role of young people in democracy, to amplify their voices, and to foster a community of changemakers who are committed to creating a more equitable and just world for all. Join us in our journey to empower the next generation of leaders and change-makers.
OUR TEAM
Corina Pirvulescu
Corina Pîrvulescu is a professional and activist in youth participation, with a particular interest in young voters´ engagement in electoral processes. Over the past 15 years, she has volunteered and worked with very diverse youth-led and youth-focused organizations, both in Europe and the USA, as a Fellow of the State Department Exchange Program.
Corina is an EMPA candidate at the Hertie School in Berlin focusing her research on impact of digitalization on electoral processes, works with a pan-European, youth focused organization in Brussels and co-authored the upcoming study on Youth Engagement for ENoP, showcasing the work of Political Foundations in supporting youth participation.
She led multiple national and European political-neutral campaigns for young voters´ engagement and has gained grassroots experience in Chicago, IL, working to mobilize young people to the polls. In addition, she consulted for various international organizations, such as UNICEF or the Council of Europe. On the long term, she hopes to shape policies and public conversations on the power of youth vote.
Stevie Valles
Stevie Valles is the CEO of Chicago Votes, a nonpartisan group of young people that runs civic education, voting, leadership development, and advocacy programs to shift the culture of participation and impact based in Chicago. He has a Social Work degree from Oakwood University, a Seventh Day Adventist HBCU in Huntsville, Alabama.
He has professional experience in electoral and issue based campaigning on the local, state, and federal level. He has also worked in the Texas Legislature as well as in the United States Senate. At Chicago Votes he bottom lines fundraising, strategic planning, and policy, and advises in every other function at the organization.
In his personal time he is developing a research project called No Borders that is measuring the impact different institutions around the world have on the marginalized people. He facilitates meditation groups, reads, writes, works, and trains at his local dojo.
