Youth DemocrAID International Youth Forum: A Shared Youth Voice for Democracy

​Within the framework of the Youth DemocrAID Education, Debate, Action project, co-funded by the EU’s CERV Programme, YouNet organized in the International Youth Forum, a dynamic event that brought together young leaders and partner organisations from five European countries.

​The Forum became a vibrant platform where participants exchanged ideas, good practices and strategies to strengthen youth participation in democratic life and decision-making processes. Its objectives fully align with Youth DemocrAID’s mission: to empower young people through civic education, promote active citizenship, and foster a shared European identity based on democratic values.

The opening session featured inspiring speeches by Maciej Krakowiński, Secretary of the Czernichów Municipality, and Christian Jaworski, the youngest councillor of Cieszyn County, who both underlined the crucial role of youth in shaping public policies at local, national and European levels.

During the event, delegations from all partner countries including the Italian team coordinated by YouNet presented examples of how young people engage civically within their own contexts. These exchanges revealed the diversity of approaches and common challenges, such as limited representation and the need for more stable mechanisms for youth inclusion in decision-making.

A key highlight of the Forum was the “City of the Future” simulation game, designed by the Polish partner Social Innovation Cluster. Participants, working in teams, took on the roles of local decision-makers, identified key urban issues and developed innovative solutions. The activity proved to be a powerful educational tool, strengthening participants’ civic competences, teamwork and strategic thinking. It was so well received that it will soon become part of the project’s shared educational toolkit.

Another central moment was the moderated debate “Does the Youth Voice Matter?”, where participants from all partner countries reflected on the real levers of influence, barriers to representation, and the tools that can make civic action more effective. The discussion highlighted a shared conclusion: young people must be systematically included in decision-making, and institutions need to create permanent channels for youth co-creation and dialogue.

Through this experience, YouNet and its partners reaffirmed Youth DemocrAID’s commitment to Education, Debate and Action. Participants left the Forum with new insights, motivation and practical tools to strengthen democratic participation in their own communities and to continue building a more inclusive, youth-driven Europe.