GENERAL INFORMATION
DEADLINE: Thursday, 5th of March 2026 at 18:00
WHEN: The parliamentary elections will take place on 12 April 2026 and are considered the most important ones in the European Union this year. Observers are expected to arrive to Budapest on 8 April and leave either on 13 April in the evening or 14 April in the morning.
Silba is a Danish-based youth democracy organization. We have more than 20 years of experience in training youth in conducting election observations and have conducted over 50 Election Observation Missions. We employ an observation methodology inspired by the OSCE/ODIHR. We believe that election observations are key for transparency in electoral processes, accountability and democratic rights.
You may know Hungary for its central role in ongoing debates about democracy and the rule of law within the European Union, its complex post-1989 political transformation, or its increasingly polarized political landscape. Since 2010, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party Fidesz have dominated Hungarian politics, implementing wide-ranging constitutional and institutional reforms. The upcoming parliamentary elections take place in a context of heightened political competition, strong opposition mobilization, and intensified public debate over Hungary’s direction within the EU and its international alliances. As the country prepares for election day, voters will decide not only on the composition of parliament but also on the broader political and democratic trajectory of Hungary as well as the European Union as a whole.
Do you want to be of these crucial elections, where Hungarian voters choose the future for their country? And are you interested in democracy and how the elections work in practice? Then join Silba’s EOM to Hungary as an international observer!
We expect that you:
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Are between 18 and 35 years old.
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Are a member of Silba. You can become a member here.
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Are available from Wednesday, 8 April to Monday, 13 April.
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You must pass the free OSCE E-Learning course “Comprehensive Course for OSCE/ODIHR Observers” before the EOM begins. You need only to focus on the short-term observation part of the course. If you have completed the course in the past it is not necessary that you complete it again. The course can be found here.
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It is not a requirement that you have previous experience in monitoring elections. However, knowledge of the country or region as well as the knowledge of Hungarian language is highly valued.
By joining you:
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Strengthen your CV
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Get the opportunity to establish new international networks.
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Exchange views with like-minded youth.
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Join a dynamic team.
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Get a great experience!
The participation fee for this EOM is 270 euros. This covers accommodation, most meals, local transport and other expenses during the program. In addition, you will have to pay for your travel expenses to Hungary. Budapest is well connected by various low-cost airlines as well as long-distance day or night trains. We would like to note that all our activities are non-profit, which means all the money will go to covering the cost for you as a participant!
NB: Silba reserves the right to cancel the EOM in case of safety issues at any time. Silba's safety assessment is based on open-source information and the Danish foreign ministry's travel advice. Silba will not send observers to unsafe areas.