The eighth international meeting marked the beginning of the European-level synthesis of the Youth4Values National Action Plans. Participants compared their country proposals and identified recommendations that could be relevant across different legal, political and social contexts.
The groups organised their ideas around several shared themes: civic and democratic education, inclusive participation mechanisms, youth access to decision-makers, support for youth organisations, digital engagement, media literacy, volunteering and community action. They discussed how these areas connect with European values, human rights and the principle that young people should be able to influence decisions affecting their lives.
Participants paid particular attention to the balance between national and European responsibilities. Many measures, such as local youth councils or municipal consultations, must be implemented at national or local level.
European institutions and networks can still provide common standards, funding, visibility, exchange of practices and tools for monitoring progress. The final recommendations should therefore explain how different levels of governance can support one another.
The meeting also considered how the joint document could be used after the project. Participants proposed that it should be published online, shared with youth organisations and public authorities, presented during national dissemination activities and used as an advocacy resource. The document should be written in accessible language so that young people, not only policy experts, can understand and apply it.
By connecting local evidence with a broader European perspective, the meeting showed that national experiences can contribute to shared policy learning. The emerging recommendations reflected both the diversity of the partner countries and their common commitment to more inclusive and participatory democracy.
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.