Enhancing Youth Participation through Cross-Sectoral Collaboration
Authors: Ajša Hadžibegović, Veronica Stefan, New Power in Youth Strategic Partnership (NPiY)
Year of production: 2026
Forum report cover
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the Forum “Enhancing Youth Participation through Cross-Sectoral Collaboration” which took place from April 23 to 26, 2025, in Jurmala, Latvia. Organised by the New Power in Youth (NPiY) and the Strategic National Agencies Cooperation (SNAC), and hosted by the Latvian National Agency – Jaunatnes Starptautisko Programmu Aģentūr, this second edition of the Forum built directly on the exploratory event of 2023. It shifted the focus from initial recommendations to practical implementation, upscaling cross-sectoral collaboration, and creating systemic infrastructure for meaningful youth participation. There were 40 participants at the Forum, representing a diverse range of profiles, including representatives from National Agencies for Erasmus+ and ESC, youth workers and managers from the non-formal education sector, teachers and headmasters from formal education, municipal staff involved in youth participatory initiatives, young leaders engaged in civic education, and experts in youth work training and curriculum development. They engaged through plenary panels, workshops, interactive Howspace discussions, and a hackathon.
KEY THEMES AND INSIGHTS
Systemic approach to youth participation
The Forum emphasized that engaging youth requires more than enthusiasm; it necessitates strengthened institutional support and the creation of a connected community of practitioners. Participants discussed the importance of collaboration across various sectors—formal and non-formal education, youth policy, and civil society.
Competence development for educators
Research conducted in Estonia, Latvia, and Southeast Europe identified key challenges and aspirations in developing the competencies of teachers and youth workers. There is a critical need to better train educators to effectively support democratic engagement among young people.
Issues in democratic participation
Discussions highlighted the low quality of participation in democratic processes, often stemming from a lack of trust in institutions. Participants pointed out that consultation processes frequently fail to yield tangible results, leading to disillusionment among youth.
Innovative ideas and future actions
During the hackathon session of the Forum, participants formulated two key areas for cross-sectoral intervention: reaching underrepresented youth and updating outdated educational curricula. Proposed ideas included:
- Developing mobile outreach teams to engage less visible youth.
- Educational programs for parents to support civic engagement.
- Transferring knowledge and methodologies from non-formal to formal education to enhance school-based learning.
Future recommendations
The Forum concluded with a call for structural integration of youth participation into institutions, necessitating changes in both policy and educational practices. Integrated local, national, and European plans should aim to enhance youth engagement in decision-making processes.
SUMMARY OF KEY SECTIONS IN THE REPORT
The report begins with an Executive Summary, which outlines the Forum’s primary objectives and findings. Following this, the overview of main Sessions and reflections offers insights into the evolution of policy frameworks and the significance of cross-sectoral collaboration.
In the section titled Perspectives of Young People on Participation and Cross-Sectoral Collaboration, youth attendees share their experiences and the systemic issues they face, emphasizing the need for genuine feedback and engagement. This is complemented by a discussion on Cross-Sectoral Practices Fostering Youth Participation, where various successful methodologies are explored, illustrating how non-formal education can enhance youth engagement.
The report also delves into Competence Frameworks Driving Youth Engagement, highlighting the critical role of well-trained educators in fostering democratic values among young people. This is followed by an examination of Current and Emerging Issues in Democratic Participation, which addresses challenges such as youth disillusionment and the barriers to meaningful engagement.
The EU (Youth) Programmes Supporting Cross-Sectoral Cooperation section presents an analysis of how programs like Erasmus+ can be leveraged to foster youth participation more effectively. Next, the Hackathon section showcases practical ideas generated during the event, focusing on reaching underrepresented youth and modernizing educational curricula.
The concluding section, Forum 2025 Recommendations, summarizes the actionable strategies identified throughout the forum, emphasizing the need for structural changes that integrate youth participation into institutional practices and policies
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