Youth participation
The Congress has long been committed to promoting the active participation of young people in civic life as a means of securing social cohesion and anchoring democratic principles in a society based on respect for human rights. This approach was borne out by the adoption of its European Charter on the participation of young people in municipal and regional life in 1992.
But as highlighted in the Congress report on Youth and democracy: the changing face of youth political engagement, in the 21st century, young people are engaging differently. There is a wide gap between political institutions’ and young people’s understanding of participation. During the Congress’ 2014 conference on promoting youth participation, it became clear that institutions have difficulty in grasping not only what these new forms of youth participation are but also the issues that mobilise young people. For their part, young people are facing unemployment, job insecurity, difficult transitions to work and adult life. They are increasingly disenchanted and feel marginalised from the political process.
The active participation of citizens in democratic structures and representative institutions is decisive in guaranteeing the legitimacy, credibility and operation of democratic systems. The Congress is cooperating with young people and local and regional authorities to find a way forward towards achieving the meaningful participation of young people.
Download [EN - FR]
Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is convinced that it is at local and regional levels that a culture of youth participation can most efectively take root and thrive.
The revised Charter contains principles, best practices and guidelines to enhance youth participation at local and regional levels. It also sets out the basic requirements for this participation to be meaningful, i.e. young people must have the necessary rights, means, space, opportunity and support.
Booklets available in:
English - French - German - Italian - Azerbaijani - Belarusian
Bulgarian - Greek - Hungarian - Romanian - Serbian
Spanish - Turkish - Ukrainian
Other translations:
Albanian - Georgian - Polish - Estonian - Russian - Swedish
- The future of youth in rural areas - responsibilities of local and regional authorities
- Children and sustainable cities: guidelines and booklet for local and regional authorities
- Youth work at local and regional levels
- Social rights of young people: the role of local and regional authorities
- Forever young? The role of youth policies and youth work at local and regional levels in supporting young people’s transition to autonomy and working life
- Voting at 16 – Consequences on youth participation at local and regional level
- Bringing down barriers to youth participation: adopting a lingua franca for local and regional authorities and young people
- Empowering Roma youth through participation: effective policy design at local and regional levels
- Youth and democracy: the changing face of youth political engagement
- Integration of young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods
Since October 2014, the Congress has invited young people from different backgrounds to take part in its sessions, to have their say in the debates and to exchange with Congress members on the issues on the agenda.
- Congress youth delegates in the spotlight on International Youth Day
- Congress launches revision of the Youth Participation Charter
- Congress and Council of Europe youth bodies join forces for the Youth Participation Charter revision
- Strengthening a youth perspective within the Council of Europe: Congress Secretary General meets youth representatives
- Involving young people in local politics
Congress reference texts on youth participation
Reports, Recommendations, Resolutions...
Europe Goes Local - Interview about the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and youth (2021)
List of National Delegations to the Congress (including Youth delegates)
Table Office
[email protected]
Institutional Communication Unit
Dmitri Marchenkov