Civic Leadership Program · Romania · Free for All Participants

Lead with purpose.
Build Romania's future.

RISE Academy is a civic leadership program for Romanian high school students who want to turn ideas into real community impact — funded by Davis Projects for Peace and a Harvard startup grant.

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Davis Projects for Peace
Harvard Startup Grant
Free For All Participants
2026 First Cohort

What is RISE Academy?

Too many motivated young Romanians have ideas about how to improve their schools, communities, and country — but no structure to act on them. RISE fills that gap. We bring high school students together across Romania for workshops, mentorship, and a hands-on project accelerator that takes real civic ideas from concept to reality.

Understanding civic systems and democratic institutions

Building community projects that address real local problems

Developing leadership, public speaking, and communication skills

Passion Project Accelerator — coaching for selected civic initiatives

Supported by

Davis Projects for Peace Harvard Startup Grant

From where you are to where you want to be

Every participant starts somewhere. We help you get to where you want to go.

1
Learn

Workshops on civic systems, leadership theory, public speaking, and social entrepreneurship — led by practitioners, not just lecturers.

2
Act

Every participant works on a real community project. You won't just study civic leadership — you'll practice it, with support at every step.

3
Passion Project Accelerator

Selected students get dedicated coaching to develop and pitch a civic initiative. Real mentors, real feedback, real stakes.

A National Network

Connect with peers, mentors, and partner organizations across Romania — a community that lasts far beyond the program.

What RISE covers
Workshops Civic systems, leadership, public speaking
Mentorship 1-on-1 guidance from practitioners
Community City events across Romania
Projects Hands-on community action
Accelerator Passion Project coaching track
Network National peer & NGO community
Cost Completely free

Who should apply

You don't need experience. You need curiosity and drive.

High school students (grades 9–12)

Any student currently enrolled in a Romanian high school. Applications are open across cities — we come to you.

People who care about their community

You don't need a polished project idea — just genuine interest in making things better for the people around you.

Future leaders of any field

Whether you're going into medicine, engineering, law, or the arts — civic leadership is relevant to every path.

Students who want to build, not just listen

RISE is hands-on. If you want to sit in a lecture hall and take notes, this isn't for you. If you want to do the work — welcome.

The team behind RISE

EM
Emma

Co-founder & CEO

Wellesley College · Gordon-MIT Fellow · Founder of VSSIA

CC
Cristian Coceangă

Co-founder

Harvard University · Class of 2030

Our values

Civic Courage
Accessibility
Community
Accountability
Action over words

YOUR STORY STARTS HERE.

Interest registration takes 2 minutes. We'll reach out with details about the cohort in your city. The program is completely free.

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