The European Youth Conference “Young people in local and regional life: Democracy in action!” started this morning at the Braga Youth Centre, bringing together 150 youth leaders and representatives of local and regional authorities from across Europe.
This event is dedicated to updating the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, a unique Council of Europe standard that strengthens young people's role in renewing democracy at the local and regional levels. By revising the Charter, participants aim to ensure that youth perspectives are at the heart of decision-making in cities, municipalities, and regions, addressing the needs of younger generations and revitalising democracy.
Ahead of the event, Matjaž Gruden, Director for Democracy at the Council of Europe, said: "The local level is where most people experience democracy. In many places, trust and engagement in democracy are declining, including and especially among young people. If we want to reverse this trend - and we must if we care about the future of democracy - the local level is the place to start".
Braga’s Mayor Ricardo Rio welcomed participants, reaffirming the city’s commitment to youth and international co-operation: "Braga is once again at the epicentre of a change that will mark generations. The European Youth Conference is an opportunity to renew our democratic commitment by putting young people at the heart of decision-making at local and regional level. The revision of the European Charter for the Participation of Young People here, in our city, strengthens the vision of Braga as a European reference for building a more inclusive and participatory future".
He was joined on stage by Luis Guedes, representing the Braga's Municipal Youth Council, reminding the audience of this inspiring model of youth consultation and engagement.
Véronique Bertholle, Congress Spokesperson for Youth, emphasised the importance of equal opportunities in youth participation: "Only if we ensure equal access to information, education and opportunities of young people today will they become the fulfilled adults and engaged citizens of tomorrow. Healthy, innovative democracies - democracies in action - need this".
Nina Grmuša, Chair of the Joint Council on Youth, encouraged participants to take ownership of the revised Charter: “We must make the Charter THE standard on youth participation - a Council of Europe standard that has to be brought to local and regional levels across member states. It is on us: the young people and our local authorities to bring the Charter to life, as we aspire to live democracy in action in our villages, our towns and our cities. The Charter will enable us to practice policy and decision making that includes young people and their perspectives”.
Portuguese Minister for Youth and Modernisation, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, will address the conference participants in an evening session devoted to participation and solidarity. She will open the photo exhibition "Between Light and Darkness", featuring photographs by Konstantin and Vlad Liberovih and Yurka Dyachyshyn, which will be held in the city of Braga.
The Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports of Ukraine, Andriy Chesnokov, and representatives of Lviv will also participate in the session of the conference dedicated to solidarity with Ukraine and LVIV – European Youth Capital 2025.
The Braga Youth Conference is the largest gathering of young people and local authorities in 2025, anchoring youth perspectives in the Council of Europe’s work on local and regional democracy.
The conference is co-organised by the Council of Europe Youth Department and the Braga Youth Centre, and in partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the Municipality of Braga, the Portuguese Institute for Sports and Youth and the European Youth Forum.
By hosting this event, Braga Youth Centre — holding the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres since April 2024 — demonstrates the impact of investing in spaces for youth participation, training, and youth work.
