Inclusive youth participation webinars - Webinar 2: Democratic participation of young people in rural areas

Webinar #2: Democratic Participation of Rural Young People

What does it mean for young people in rural areas to actively participate in democratic life? What barriers limit their engagement - and how can youth work and European programmes create real opportunities for influence and change?

Young people in rural areas often face specific challenges such as geographic isolation, limited transport, fewer youth services, digital gaps, and reduced access to information or participation structures. At the same time, rural communities offer strong local networks and opportunities for grassroots engagement. This webinar will explore both the barriers and the potential for community change and engagement with support of youth work.

About this webinar series:

SALTO Inclusion & Diversity and SALTO Participation & Information are joining forces to deliver a webinar series on democratic participation of young people with fewer opportunities.Through an intersectional approach, each session will highlight how youth work can actively support inclusion, empower young people, and strengthen their role in decision-making. Each webinar will include input from youth participation experts, practical case studies, and tools that participants can use in their own work in Erasmus+ and ESC projects and beyond.

What do we mean by democratic participation?

The Youth Participation Strategy defines Democratic Participation as: Individual young people and groups of young people having the right, the means, the space, the opportunity and, where necessary, the support to freely express their views, contribute to and influence societal decision making on matters affecting them, and be active within the democratic and civic life of our communities. 

In simple terms that can mean: all the ways young people can influence decisions and shape the communities they live in. 

Democratic participation goes far beyond voting. In youth work, it can also mean:

• Co-designing projects and activities
• Participating in youth councils or consultations
• Engaging in advocacy and community campaigns
• Using digital tools, storytelling or arts to express views
• Taking part in civic dialogue with decision-makers
• Contributing to participatory budgeting or shared governance in organisations

Democratic participation also happens in everyday youth work practice - when young people help set group rules, share decision-making power, and reflect critically on issues affecting their lives.

What to expect from this webinar?

The webinar will consist of a keynote input from an expert on inclusive participation and breakout sessions featuring practical case studies and tools, providing the participants with opportunities for exchange, reflection, and peer learning.

Programme:

• 10:00 Opening & welcoming
• 10:10 Keynote by Spyros Papadatos - Secretary General at Rural Youth Europe
• 10:45 Mini-break
• 10:50: Good practices (in breakout rooms):
  • Sebastian Ologu, European Youth Village (Romania)
  • Aiste Slajute, Youth Vision - Varėna District (Lithuania)
• 11:20 Reporting from the breakout rooms
• 11:30 Closing of the webinar 

Who is this for?

This webinar is open to a diverse audience, including:

• Young people
• Youth workers, trainers, teachers, and other education practitioners
• Researchers and experts
• Policymakers and decision-makers
• Anyone interested in inclusion and participation in democratic life

Whether you work within Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, or related fields, this webinar offers relevant insights and practical inspiration for your work - and beyond.

How to join?

Register via this link.

Registrations will close 1 hour before the start of the webinar (March 5, 9:00 CET).

We will take participants on a 'first-come, first-served' basis, as we only have capacity for 300 participants.

Inclusion and Accessibility Measures

We want everyone to feel welcome, respected, and able to actively contribute during the webinar. To support this, we commit to the following:

• We practice zero tolerance for discriminatory language or behaviour. We aim to create a space based on mutual respect, openness, and care.
• We bring experience in Inclusion & Diversity. Our facilitators are experienced in working with diverse groups and supporting positive group dynamics.
• We respect different comfort levels with cameras. If you prefer not to turn your camera on, that is absolutely fine.
• We value different ways of participating. Contributing through chat, emojis, or collaborative tools is just as meaningful as speaking.
• The keynote input in the plenary will be recorded so it can be shared afterwards. Breakout room discussions will not be recorded to ensure a safer space for exchange.

To support participation and accessibility, we also:

• Enable automated captions
• Introduce the agenda at the beginning of the session
• Work in small groups to create safer and more comfortable speaking spaces
• Encourage everyone to speak in simple language — there is no expectation of “perfect English”
• Include a short comfort break in the middle of the session.