The seventh Youth4Values international meeting focused on building consensus around the main priorities emerging from the four National Action Plans. Participants reviewed areas of agreement and discussed where national differences required separate approaches.
Several common priorities were confirmed: stronger civic education; regular and transparent consultation of young people; better support for youth-led initiatives; inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities; improved cooperation between institutions and youth organisations; and clearer feedback after young people contribute to a public process. These themes reflected the project’s wider objectives of active citizenship, democracy, human rights and empowerment.
Participants also discussed the meaning of consensus in an international project. They agreed that consensus does not require every country to use identical structures or wording. It means agreeing on shared principles while allowing implementation to reflect national legislation, institutional capacity and local needs.
This distinction helped the groups protect the relevance of their national plans while preparing for a joint European-level document.
The meeting used collaborative decision-making methods to rank priorities and resolve differences. Participants explained their positions, listened to alternative views and searched for formulations that could represent the whole network. Particular attention was given to avoiding tokenistic participation and ensuring that young people are involved in planning, implementation and evaluation, not only invited to approve decisions made by others.
The process strengthened trust between the national groups and demonstrated democratic practice in action. Through compromise, dialogue and shared responsibility, participants created a coherent foundation for the next stage: translating national priorities into common European recommendations.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Youth4Values – Youth for Democracy and Values project was created to support young people in becoming more active, informed, and engaged citizens in their local communities. The project focused on strengthening democratic values, active citizenship, youth participation, human rights, inclusion, and the connection between young people and decision-making processes.
In many European communities, young people still do not have enough space to express their opinions, participate in public life, or influence decisions that affect their everyday lives. This is especially visible among young people with fewer opportunities, who often face additional barriers such as limited access to information, lack of support, social exclusion, economic difficulties, or low trust in institutions.
Youth4Values responded to these needs by creating practical opportunities for young people to learn, discuss, act, and connect. The project did not focus only on theory. It encouraged young people to understand democracy through real experiences, local engagement, peer learning, dialogue, workshops, campaigns, and direct participation in community activities.
The project was implemented by partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Montenegro, and Spain, bringing together different realities, experiences, and approaches to youth participation. This international cooperation helped partners exchange good practices, compare challenges in their countries, and develop local activities that were adapted to the real needs of young people in each community.
A strong part of the project was its focus on non-formal education. Through interactive activities, participants had the opportunity to develop critical thinking, communication, teamwork, civic awareness, and a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The project also promoted the importance of youth organisations as spaces where young people can practice democracy, build confidence, and take active roles in society.
According to the project application, Youth4Values aimed to enhance democratic governance and the rule of law by promoting civic education, active citizenship, and youth empowerment. It also focused on connecting democracy with human rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation in decision-making processes.