Brief overview of the European Youth Conference 2025 in Braga
The European Youth Conference in Braga, organised in collaboration with the Council of Europe, the Braga Youth Center, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the City of Braga, the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth, and the European Youth Forum, aimed to strengthen youth participation at the local and regional levels and contribute to the revitalisation of democracy.
Approximately 130 representatives from local and regional youth councils, youth civil society, and local authorities attended the event to discuss practices, challenges, and opportunities for youth engagement. They also participated in consultations on the revision of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.
Key highlights of the three-day programme:
Day One – Wednesday, February 5: Realities of Youth Participation
Participants analysed the state of youth participation in their local communities, exchanged experiences, and identified key challenges and best practices. Discussions focused on the barriers and supportive factors for engaging young people in local and regional decision-making processes. The evening session was dedicated to a meeting with Braga’s youth civil society, where participants learned about the work of local organisations.
Day Two – Thursday, February 6: Renewal of the European Charter on Youth Participation
Discussions centred on updating the European Charter on Youth Participation, with participants working in groups to propose improvements. The working groups addressed topics such as youth rights, structures and spaces for participation, the impact of young people on policymaking, and support for participation. The afternoon session included exploring Braga through the lens of youth participation, while the evening featured a solidarity event for Ukraine, the opening of a photography exhibition, and a cultural program.
Day Three – Friday, February 7: Implementation and Future Prospects
Participants discussed concrete steps for achieving meaningful youth participation at the local and regional levels, including networking, training, and promoting the charter. The conference concluded with a dance performance on the theme of human rights and a final plenary session where attendees shared their key findings.
Why was this conference particularly important?
The conference was part of a broader democracy revitalisation process led by the Council of Europe. The focus was on recognising young people as key actors in democratic processes today, rather than merely observers or future leaders. Through the revision of the European Charter and discussions on improving conditions for youth participation, the organisers aimed to create sustainable structures that would enable greater youth inclusion in social and political processes.
Eva’s Impressions from the Conference
Attending the European Youth Conference in Braga was an incredible experience, not just as a participant but also as someone actively involved in its preparation and delivery. This was my first time being part of the preparatory group for such a high-level event, and I had the opportunity to contribute both behind the scenes and during the conference itself. I was involved in designing activities and took on several active roles throughout the event, which made the experience even more meaningful.
On Day 1, I participated as a harvester in the session “Exploring youth participation in our local and regional realities”. My task was to listen and collect insights as participants shared experiences from their local contexts—what supports them, what challenges they face, and what best practices they have developed. It was fascinating to hear so many different perspectives and see how youth participation varies across regions.
On Day 2, I co-facilitated a session in the Parallel working groups on the revised text of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life. Together with my colleague Matias Rubio from the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ), we led discussions on “Youth participation and its principles,” helping participants engage with the proposed revisions and ensuring their voices were reflected in the process. Later that day, I also spoke at a panel discussion on “Next steps in the process of revision of the Charter,” where we explored how to ensure the updated Charter truly strengthens youth participation across Europe.
Being at the conference as both a member of the Advisory Council on Youth and the drafting group for the revised Charter meant that my role was not just to contribute but also to listen—to be “the eyes and ears” of the process. I wanted to capture as much input as possible to bring back to the drafting group, ensuring that the final version of the Charter is shaped by the real needs and experiences of young people on the ground.
Beyond the sessions, the conference was an inspiring space for exchange and connection. Looking back, this experience has reinforced my belief that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are key actors today, shaping more inclusive and democratic societies. I left Braga feeling energized, motivated, and ready to continue advocating for stronger youth participation at all levels.
What’s next?
Looking back at the discussions we had at the Conference, I feel incredibly proud and reassured that we are on the right track with the draft Charter. It’s one thing to work on something behind the scenes, drafting texts and shaping ideas, but it’s another to hear directly from so many passionate young people and youth organizations about what they need and expect from this process.
Being part of both the drafting group and the preparatory team for this conference has been an amazing experience—challenging at times, but deeply rewarding. I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who made this possible: the incredible preparatory team, all the participants who contributed with their experiences and insights, and everyone involved in the drafting process.
I’m grateful for the opportunity, but even more so for being at the Conference with all of participant, learning about their realities, their struggles, and the creative ways they make youth participation work in their communities. It’s something I don’t take for granted, and it’s exactly what makes me feel even more responsible for what comes next.
Now that the conference has ended, what comes next for the Charter?
I see it as our responsibility—not just mine, not just the Advisory Council’s, but all of ours (all the participants and guests of the conference)—to ensure that what we’ve discussed here doesn’t stay in Braga but actually translates into action. We, in the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ), as the voice of young people within the Council of Europe’s youth structures, have a clear role in pushing for your voices to be heard and reflected in the final text of the Charter.
For me, that means making sure that:
- Youth rights are not just acknowledged but actively upheld.
- The Charter reflects real local experiences while remaining practical and concrete.
- Different methods and processes of youth participation are recognized, supported, and strengthened.
With the help of our dedicated rapporteurs, we will work to include as much as possible from the conversations we had here. Of course, not everything can make it into the final text, but this isn’t the only space where your input matters. Matias and I, along with the rest of the Advisory Council—including Nina, Nadia, Emily, Xesx, and Gavrilis that were present in Braga—will ensure that your contributions feed into other ongoing and future youth policy processes within the Council of Europe.
Update on the Charter’s Progress Since the Conference
Since our time in Braga, the drafting group has already met on March 11 to review and discuss all the feedback gathered through various consultations. After carefully analysing the inputs, we are now working on the next draft of the Charter, which will first be discussed at the April CMJ session to allow for further refinements. In July the Committee on Social Inclusion and Human Dignity (SOC) will review the text before it is submitted alongside the Resolution of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, where it is set to be officially adopted in October 2025. Additionally, the plan is to present the Charter at the Ministerial Conference in Malta in October, further reinforcing its importance at the highest political level.
But what can we all do right now?
While we work on finalising the revised Charter, there are things we can start doing immediately:
- The next step for the Charter is to be discussed in the CCJ and CMJ in spring, then presented to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in October 2025. If approved, it will move to the Council of Ministers for adoption by the end of 2025 or early 2026. This means securing the support of Congress members—and this is where each of you can play a role! If you know or have access to local and regional representatives, start the conversation. Make sure they understand why this Charter matters and how it can benefit young people in their communities.
- Once the Charter is approved, we need to make sure it is widely known and used. But why wait? We don’t have to wait for its official adoption to start making an impact. The current Charter already sets important standards for youth participation in local and regional life. Let’s start using it, talking about it, and pushing for better youth participation structures in our own communities.
At the end of the day, the Charter will only be as powerful as the people who believe in it and put it into practice. And that’s us.
So my message to all is simple: Who, if not us? When, if not now?