Promoting democratic participation in Youth sector
Authors: Spyros Papadatos, SALTO Participation & Information
Year of production: 2026
Image by: tara
The youth sector is a dynamic and diverse space evolving across generations, and playing a key role in empowering young people to be engaged citizens at the local, national and international levels across Europe. Through youth work, youth organisations, and policies, young people across Europe gain the skills and platforms they need to shape society and actively participate in democracy.
Youth work and organisations as platforms for change
Navigating the various transitions in life, from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, is a different process for different young people depending on their unique backgrounds, contexts and environments of growing up. What is quite common across Europe, is the fact that despite young people representing a significant portion of the European population, they are often underrepresented in society and in political systems. Democratic participation through the youth sector is a way to ensure that their voices are raised and that they can be heard. By meaningfully participating in society and having a say in issues affecting them directly or indirectly, they can be empowered to become responsible citizens, critical thinkers and ultimately equal parts of society.
Youth work offers a platform where young people can connect with each other, interact, exchange and develop, especially through utilising non-formal education. Youth organisations can provide a structured way for young people to participate and engage in decision-making within their respective communities. It also provides a way for them to connect with other actors, especially governments and decision-makers. From the EU Youth Dialogue to the role of youth councils, from volunteering to co-shaping youth policies, young people through youth organisations can make their voices heard, advocate for their ideas, influence policies and in general participate meaningfully in their societies. Dr. Howard Williamson described the correlation between youth work and participation in the 2024 ‘Taking Stock’ publication on youth work:
“The philosophy of youth work is embedded in a commitment to ‘youth participation’, ‘young people taking part’, listening to young people’s ‘voice’ and views, and some kind of ‘co-management’ of what goes on, though such terminology has not always been explicit.”
Non-formal education and mobility programmes
Non-Formal Education and mobility programmes are another important enabler for the democratic participation of young people. They can equip them with the knowledge, the skills and the experiences to grow as active citizens within their political systems. Beyond building their capacities and contributing to their development, they also provide the space for young people to get to know new communities and fellow young people, to acquire new experiences and to discover themselves as individuals. Programmes like Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps can empower young people and turn out to be transforming experiences that shape them for the rest of their lives.
Promoting democratic participation in the youth sector is an important investment in the present and future of European societies. It supports young people to engage, to connect and to be empowered in order for them to contribute to more inclusive and resilient democratic systems. Given the underrepresentation of young people in political systems and the growing intergenerational gap, it is essential to continue investing in and supporting the newer generations in their meaningful participation in society.
Article produced in the framework of the project “Understanding democratic participation across sectors”
Expert group: Anni Karttunen, Charlie Moreno-Romero, Per-Åke Rosvall, Spyros Papadatos, Tomaž Deželan
Coordination: Joana Freitas (SALTO Participation & Information)
Copyedit: Nik Paddington
Project dates: February 2024 to May 2025
Further exploration: Books and publications
Council of Europe. (2015). Manual on the Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life. (https://rm.coe.int/16807023e0)
European Commission. (2018). EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027. Brussels: European Union. (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52018DC0269)
European Committee of the Regions and European Youth Forum. (2022). Charter on Youth and Democracy. (https://www.youthforum.org/files/EU-Charter-on-Youth-and-Democracy_signed.pdf)
European Youth Forum. (2023). Youth Progress Index 2023. (https://www.youthforum.org/files/Youth-Progress-Index-2023.pdf)
Williamson, H. (2024). Taking Stock – Where Are We Now: Youth Work in Contemporary Europe. Published by the Flemish Government for the European Conference on Local Youth Work and Democracy, Brussels.
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