Protocol D6.3 provides the operational framework for Community‑Centered Debate competitions within the Theory of Change (TOC) Project, building on rhetoric training delivered in Protocols D6.1 and D6.2; it specifies procedures to organise child‑centred, community‑based debates for multilingual youth (ages 10–18) using a six‑phase format, dedicated Cultural Support Advisors, and a pre‑weighted scoring system that prioritises bridge‑building, cultural knowledge and respectful dialogue over adversarial victory.
Community‑centered debate departs from traditional competitive formats: its purpose is not to defeat an opponent but to foster attentive listening, constructive response and mutual understanding across diverse perspectives; participants are encouraged to ground arguments in cultural knowledge, lived experience and community needs, and success is measured by respectful dialogue, critical thinking and demonstrable efforts to find common ground.