FAQ

Everything you need to know about Future Romania — from registration and selection to the program, funding, alumni community, hubs, and working committees. If you don't find the answer here, write to us at contact@futureromania.ro.

Sign up directly from the app! The Future Romania mobile app is available for free on the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android). We recommend downloading it right from the start: you can sign up in a few minutes, track your application status, and stay connected to the community.

1. About Future Romania

What is Future Romania?

Future Romania is an independent public leadership academy that offers intensive training programs for young people and professionals interested in democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

What is the purpose of the program?

Our mission is to train a new generation of leaders for the Romania of the future: competent, honest, and courageous people, prepared for public and civic roles.

Who organizes Future Romania?

The program is organized by the Vintilă Brătianu Association (VIRO Association), a non-profit organization. Our activity has an educational and civic character.

Is Future Romania politically affiliated?

No. Future Romania is an independent and non-partisan civic initiative. We focus on building public leadership skills and values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. We do not represent or promote any political party or group.

Who can participate?

The program is open to young people and professionals of all ages who believe in the civic role and public leadership, without explicit professional profile restrictions.

In which cities and countries does it take place?

We organize editions in several cities in Romania, as well as in the diaspora, to be close to Romanians everywhere. You can find the updated calendar of editions in the Editions section on the website.

What language is the program in?

The program is generally conducted in Romanian, including the diaspora editions, except for sessions held by international lecturers, which are conducted in English.

2. Registration and selection

How do I sign up?

You can register in two ways: through the Course Registration form on the website (https://inscrieri.futureromania.ro/formular) or directly from the Future Romania mobile application, available on Android and iOS. In both cases, you fill out the same form and upload your CV.

What do I need to apply?

The registration form includes a short questionnaire and the upload of your resume. We recommend that you prepare your updated resume before starting.

What are the steps of the selection process?

The selection process is structured and aims to identify motivated and suitable participants for the program:

• Apply online – completing the registration form (from the website or mobile app), which includes a questionnaire and uploading the CV.

• Selection based on application – evaluation of applications by the Future Romania team.

• Background check - a check of publicly available information, including social media presence, to confirm integrity and alignment with the program's values.

• Questionnaire – a set of written questions that help us understand your way of thinking.

• Video interview – a more in-depth conversation focused on values, leadership, and potential.

• DECAS Personality Test – a personality questionnaire that helps us get to know you better and forms the basis of the formation of working teams.

• Final decision – communication of the result and confirmation of participation in the program.

All candidates are informed throughout the process about the status of their application.

What is a background check?

This is a stage where we analyze publicly available information about candidates, including their social media presence. The goal is to confirm integrity and alignment with Future Romania's values — democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

What is the DECAS personality test?

DECAS is a personality questionnaire. There are no „good” or „wrong” answers: the results help us get to know you better and form balanced work teams where everyone contributes their strengths.

How do I find out the status of my application?

We will keep you updated by email at every stage. You will find out the final response no later than one week before the start of the edition you applied for.

How long does the selection process take?

The duration varies depending on the edition and the number of applications. Generally, it takes about 3 weeks, and you will find out the final response at the latest one week before the start of the edition you applied for.

How do I prepare for the video interview?

No special preparation is needed. We are interested in who you are, what motivates you, and how you think — so the best advice is to be authentic.

If I am not selected for an edition, can I apply again?

Yes. You can apply to a future edition. The selection process is competitive and differs from one edition to another.

3. The program and participation

How is the program structured?

The Future Romania program is designed as a comprehensive package of courses, held over the course of 3 days.

What is the schedule over the 3 days?

• Friday: 16:00 – 19:00
• Saturday: 09:00 – 19:00
• Sunday: 09:00 – 19:00

Is it mandatory for me to attend all classes?

Yes. The program is designed as a unified whole, and participation in all sessions is mandatory.

Are certificates or recognition offered?

Yes. At the end of the program, all participants who graduate receive a graduation diploma, which certifies their participation and the full completion of the program.

4. Costs and financing

Is participation free? What costs are covered?

We want access to education and dialogue to be as open as possible, which is why participation in the courses and meals within the program are offered free of charge. Transport and accommodation are not provided by us and are managed individually by the participants.

If participation is free, how is the program financially supported?

Future Romania is a non-profit educational program. The costs (venues, meals, materials, logistics) are covered by a mix of sources: sponsorships and partnerships with organizations that share our civic mission, individual donations, and the redirection of 3.5% of income tax. This model allows us to offer participation for free and keep access open.

Who is funding Future Romania?

The program is supported through a mix of private sources: partners and sponsors, individual donors, and contributions from the alumni community. We are an independent organization and do not depend on a single source of funding.

Do funders influence program content?

No. The curricula, lecturer selection, and educational content are established exclusively by the Future Romania team, independently of funding sources. Editorial and educational independence is a fundamental principle for us.

How are the funds managed and reported?

As a non-profit association registered in Romania, we conduct our financial activity in accordance with the legislation in force and applicable reporting obligations. For questions related to support or partnerships, you can write to us at anytime at contact@futureromania.ro.

Am I, as a participant, obligated to any hidden payment?

No. There are no participation fees and no hidden costs for participants. The only expenses that are your responsibility are transportation and accommodation, if applicable.

5. Teams, projects and scholarships

How are project teams formed?

Based on the results of the DECAS personality test, participants are divided into teams of 5 people. The teams are built to be balanced and complementary, and together they work on a community project.

What projects are the teams working on?

Each team develops a project with an impact on the community. Many of the completed projects can be seen in the Future Romania mobile application, where you can follow the initiatives of others and get inspiration for your own.

Is there funding for projects?

Yes. The top two projects from each county, city, or country receive a small financial support from Future Romania so they can put their ideas into practice.

What opportunities do the best participants receive?

6. After-school activities: alumni, hubs, and working committees

What happens after graduation?

Graduates automatically enter the Future Romania alumni network, with opportunities for mentoring, networking, and involvement in future initiatives. For us, the end of the course is actually the beginning of the community.

What is the alumni network?

This is the community of those who have completed the Future Romania program, from all editions and all cities—from Romania and the diaspora. Through the mobile app, graduates can find and connect with each other, filtering by edition or field of activity.

What are the Future Romania hubs?

Hubs are the local communities of Future Romania — groups of people from the same area, with common interests, who stay connected after hours. Each hub has its own local news section and a dedicated communication space (including a WhatsApp group).

How are the hubs managed?

Each hub has a leadership team consisting of a president and vice presidents, elected by a vote of the members. As you get involved, you can also run for such a position. Those who take on roles within the hubs and committees sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and a volunteer contract.

How do I join a hub?

You can join a hub directly from the Future Romania mobile app. Before entering, you can see who is part of the hub, so you know what community you are joining.

What are working committees?

Working committees are thematic groups where members contribute to the drafting of legislative proposals and public policies in areas of interest. You can be part of a maximum of two committees. The available committees are:

• European and Foreign Affairs
• Agriculture and rural development
• Defense and security
• Digitization and innovation
• Education, culture and youth
• Energy and Environment
• Finance and Economics
• Infrastructure and transport
• Justice
• Spatial planning and development
• Health and sports

Are there opportunities for the diaspora?

Yes. We also organize editions in the diaspora, and the alumni network, hubs, and working committees are built precisely to connect Romanians abroad with initiatives and projects that have an impact in Romania. Contributions can be made from anywhere.

7. Future Romania mobile app

Why should I download the app?

The mobile application is where you apply, track your application status, receive notifications about events and news, join your local hub, and connect with other Future Romania members and alumni.

How do I download the app?

Search for „Future Romania” in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and install it. After installation, you can log in using the email address you used to register.

What can I do in the app?

Among other things: you register for an edition, see your next step on the Home screen, vote in polls and react to news, add events to your calendar and check in via QR code, enter your hub and its WhatsApp group, see community projects, and find other alumni by edition or field of work.

8. Lecturers and Collaborations

Who are the lecturers?

On the website, there is a Lecturers section for each edition. You can find out more by accessing the Lecturers section in the menu.

Can I recommend a lecturer or can I be a lecturer myself?

Yes. There are options to propose or become a lecturer by filling out the forms in the Lecturer Proposals section on the website.

Can my company become a partner or sponsor?

Yes. We are open to partnerships and sponsorships with organizations that share our mission. Write to us at contact@futureromania.ro and together we will find the right form of collaboration.

9. Support Future Romania

How can I support Future Romania?

There are several ways you can support us:

• Redirect 3.5% from the income tax, at no cost to you.
• Donate by bank card directly from the site.
• Suggest a reader or become a reader, if you have expertise to share.
• Redirect corporate income tax
• Spread the word — recommend the program to someone suitable.

Details and forms can be found in the Sponsor and Speaker Proposals sections of the website.

10. Contact and personal data

How do I contact you?

You can write to us at contact@futureromania.ro for any questions. You can also find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

How is my personal data protected?

We process your data in accordance with our privacy policy, available on the website. For the mobile application, there is a dedicated privacy policy and terms and conditions, which you can consult at any time.