The Role of National Youth Councils for Democracy – Consultation at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg

Representatives from 27 national youth councils, the board of the European Youth Forum, and the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe met from March 9-12, 2026, at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg to analyze and discuss the challenges regarding their independence, sustainability, and recognition, as well as their contribution to political decision-making at the national level. The seminar was organized by the Youth Department of the Council of Europe and the European Youth Forum. The German Federal Youth Council (DBJR) participated in the project group for the seminar, and the German National Committee for International Youth Work (DNK) was also represented.

The seminar took place against the backdrop of democratic erosion over the past decade, with the shrinking political space (shrinking spaces, closed spaces, closing spaces) being considered one of the key characteristics of this development.

The seminar was opened by Tobias Flessenkemper, Director of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe. In his opening speech, he highlighted that the work of youth councils is voluntary and plays a crucial role in democracy. He emphasized that youth councils in Europe are unique and that other regions of the world have been inspired by this concept. He also pointed out that many youth councils are facing significant funding issues. However, he stressed that financial support alone is not the only solution to the challenges faced by youth councils.

During the workshop groups, topics such as the structure, financing, recognition, and member organizations of national youth councils, as well as the identification of strengths and challenges, were discussed. Another important point was the discussion about the support opportunities provided by the European Youth Foundation and the Youth Department.

Subsequently, the results of the 10th Youth Ministers' Conference in Malta were presented, and further policy-making opportunities for national youth councils, based on the Final Declaration and the reference framework of a youth perspective, were discussed.

The Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn Berge, participated in the seminar's closing event and emphasized that national youth councils had already contributed to addressing the issue of shrinking spaces and other current challenges for young people and civil society in Europe - and would continue to be central to the ongoing process.

The seminar was part of the “Youth Revitalizing Democracy” project. The results will contribute to the consultation on the New Democratic Pact for Europe. The process leading to the New Democratic Pact for Europe will culminate in a summit of heads of state and government in 2026, where key political decisions and commitments to strengthen democracy in Europe are expected.

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