WEXFO Take Action is the action‑oriented laboratory of the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer. It brings together young participants from across the globe, as well as organizations and stakeholders, to develop concrete project ideas that strengthen freedom of expression, democratic participation and inclusive public dialogue.

The Take Action program is designed to ensure that ideas do not remain at the level of discussion: participants begin preparing before they arrive, work intensively during the forum, and receive guidance on how their projects can grow beyond WEXFO.

Take Action Day – Wednesday 3 June
Take Action Day is devoted to building, testing, and presenting young people’s ideas. The day is designed not as a conference, but as a creative and practical workshop space.

What happens during the day:

• Short case studies and examples of best practice
• Mentor‑guided workshops on project development
• Interactive work stations with visual boards, posters, markers and art materials
• Open exhibition where participants present ideas, discuss concepts, and receive feedback
• Presentation of 3–5 selected project proposals to an expert panel, followed by Q&A

This setup encourages experimentation, collaboration and concrete problem‑solving.

After WEXFO: Pathways forward
WEXFO Take Action aims to ensure that youth-led projects have the opportunity to continue after the forum. Participants may be connected with:

• potential partners interested in collaboration
• mentors who can support further development
• information on relevant funding schemes
• the WEXFO Alumni Network for long‑term follow‑up

The goal is for each participant to leave Lillehammer with a clearer sense of how their idea can grow – and with connections that make further progress possible.

Why Take Action matters
Across the world, young people are building solutions to strengthen democratic culture and freedom of expression. WEXFO Take Action provides the space, tools and support they need to move from inspiration to implementation, and to transform ideas into meaningful action in their communities.

WEXFO Take Action takes place at Scandic Lillehammer Hotel. Participation is free of charge for all WEXFO ticket holders.

Questions or suggestions?
Please send an email to hilde@wexfo.no.

Lillehammer – our conference city

The WEXFO Take Action conference is part of the main World Expression Forum event, which takes place annually in Lillehammer, Norway, in May/June. Norway is one of the countries in the world with the highest degree of freedom of expression, according to Freedom of expression index (Our World in Data). Lillehammer is a UNESCO City of Literature, an ICORN city of refuge for artists at risk, and is the host of the biggest literature festival in Scandinavia. Both the city, the region (Innlandet) and Norway as a country are committed to supporting freedom of expression around the world.