Young people shaping democracy, not waiting for it

The 10th Council of Europe Ministerial Conference on Youth (Valletta, 2025) marked a decisive shift in how institutions understand youth participation. Ministers and young representatives jointly stressed that democratic engagement must be built into governance systems, not left to goodwill, projects or individual motivation.

The Conference theme, “Young People for Democracy: Youth Perspectives in Action,” aligned closely with the Reykjavík Declaration and the New Democratic Pact for Europe. Together, these frameworks position young people as co-shapers of democracy, not passive recipients. The Valletta Final Declaration strengthens this approach across several dimensions.

A central outcome was the Council of Europe Reference Framework on a Youth Perspective, which supports governments in integrating youth considerations across all policy areas. This is reinforced by the recognition of the European Charter on Youth Participation in Local and Regional Life, placing local democratic engagement at the core of Europe’s renewal. The endorsement of the 4th European Youth Work Convention conclusions (2025) further highlights the structural role of youth work in enabling participation, particularly for those furthest from democratic life.

Across discussions, participants highlighted that young people already have the motivation to participate. What they need are accessible processes, coordinated structures and emotionally safe entry points. This echoes evidence across Europe: democratic participation declines not because youth disengage, but because systems are fragmented or overly complex.

The Valletta conference also responded to emerging issues that shape youth experience today—AI governance, mental health, climate anxiety, and the inclusion of young people in vulnerable situations. Delegates emphasised that without addressing these systemic conditions, participation risks becoming symbolic rather than meaningful.

Solidarity with Ukraine featured prominently. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting young Ukrainians through youth work, capacity building and democratic engagement. The proposal to explore a new European Youth Centre in the Black Sea region signals intent to provide long-term, regionally grounded support infrastructures.

In parallel, a side event by the National Youth Council of Malta focused on voting at 16. Drawing on evidence from Malta, Austria and Belgium, panellists argued that lowering the voting age is no longer experimental but a democratic right—provided that young people receive appropriate civic education and engagement opportunities.

Taken together, the Valletta outcomes point to a clear trend: Europe is moving from participation by invitation toward participation by design. Institutions are increasingly expected to reduce administrative barriers, ensure intergenerational cooperation, and create stable governance mechanisms where young people can influence decisions.

For National Agencies, the implications include:

•  Youth participation should be integrated into programme governance structures, not treated as episodic consultation.
• Engagement must be backed by clear communication, simplified processes and mechanisms that lower cognitive burden for young people and organisations.
• Local and regional participation frameworks (like the Charter) provide strong anchors for cross-sector alignment.
• Digital participation requires safeguards, literacy and human-centred approaches to ensure rights are protected.

To reflect on how this applies to your specific context, consider the following questions:

• Where does our NA already align with these Valletta commitments, and where are the structural gaps?
• How can we ensure young people’s involvement is predictable, accessible and connected to real decision-making?
• Which tools (e.g., the Youth Participation Charter, CoE frameworks, NA internal mechanisms) can help institutionalise participation across programmes and units?