Models of youth participation at the local level in Europe

The seminar "Models of youth participation at the local level in Europe" will bring together various stakeholders in the field, such as non-governmental organisations, local authority representatives, researchers, youth workers, youth leaders and young people to discuss the importance of youth participation in Europe. Local youth communities need strong, engaged and aware youth that would participate in decision making and, very often, initiate dialogue with other important community actors regarding Youth issues at the local level. Making links among local stakeholders, educating them and improving their capacities surely will increase the level of local Youth participation. The participants to the seminar will have the opportunity to discuss and share ideas, experiences and best practices of involving young people in activities and decision-making processes and thus giving them a voice and active role in their local communities. The seminar will explore the importance of participation in building autonomy and sense of citizenship of youth that is essential for creating European societies based on democratic values and active participation of its citizens. The seminar will tackle topics such as: - Models of youth participation at the local level - success stories - Youth participation: décor or essential for democracy development? - Co-management principles in decision-making at the local level - Local Youth Strategy and Plan of Action for Youth - Mechanism for youth participation - success stories and challenges - European dimension in local youth participation - Sharing best practices on local youth participation in participating countries - Promoting integenerational solidarity through joining young people and municipality representatives in decision-making processes, etc. This Seminar is targeting representatives of civil society organisations and municipality officers working with youth related issues. The participants need to be able to present a practice/model of youth participation in decision-making processes in the local government from their country.