This interview with Diana Filimon, civic activist and founder of Forum Apulum, explores the contemporary threats to liberal democracy in Romania and beyond, highlighting the role of civic education, youth engagement, and disinformation. Filimon reflects on her activist beginnings during the 2017 anti-corruption protests and the subsequent creation of a grassroots civic organisation focused on engaging and empowering young people. She addresses the polarisation and radicalisation of Romanian society, arguing that traditional ideological divides no longer bind anti-system sentiments and are increasingly exploited by external forces hostile to democratic pluralism. The conversation examines how digital platforms have become battlegrounds for democracy, often amplifying illiberal voices while marginalising civic actors. Filimon advocates for early, immersive civic education and emotionally resonant counter-narratives as strategies to combat disinformation and political apathy. She also reflects on the structural challenges faced by civil society, the EU’s reactive stance in democratic backsliding, and the need for authentic political communication. Ultimately, Filimon calls for renewed forms of direct democratic engagement rooted in collective responsibility and proximity to citizens’ lived experiences, especially among younger generations.