Youth Government Engagement

This youth exchange project focuses on supporting youth councilors and young activists, as well as those who are just beginning their journey in local civic engagement. The starting point is often the lack of clear information regarding the role, rights, and responsibilities of youth council members and young advocates and their actual influence on decision-making processes.

The aim of the project is to help young councilors and activists better understand their role in youth structures and demonstrate how they can actively and consciously participate in the life of their local community. This is intended to strengthen the participants’ sense of agency and encourage their long-term involvement.

The project plans to carry out educational and informational activities, such as:

- Thematic workshops on the legal foundations of youth councils, their role in the local government system, and the rights and duties of youth councilors and young activists engaged in formal participation.
- Meetings with experienced councilors (both youth and adult), youth activists, local government officials, and public participation experts, serving as a platform for exchanging experiences and learning about good practices.
- Simulation games and practical exercises (e.g., role-playing a “council session,” preparing draft resolutions, conducting public consultations with residents) to develop specific skills relevant to young councilors and activists.
- Creating joint informational and instructional materials (e.g., a guidebook, a mini-handbook, an FAQ database) developed by participants—both councilors and activists—based on their own needs and identified knowledge gaps.

An important element of the project will be creating a space for exchanging experiences and discussing the real challenges faced by young councilors and activists. The project is based on learning by doing and the active involvement of young people in shaping the content that is most needed for them.