At the sixth international meeting, participants reviewed the first developed recommendations for their National Action Plans. The focus was on quality: making proposals specific, evidence-based, inclusive and realistic enough to support meaningful policy change.
Each national group presented selected draft recommendations and explained the problem behind them. International peers then provided structured feedback on relevance, clarity, feasibility and expected impact. Participants checked whether the proposals clearly defined the responsible actors, the intended beneficiaries, the implementation period and measurable indicators. Recommendations that were too broad were rewritten into more practical actions.
The meeting placed strong emphasis on evidence. Participants discussed how findings from surveys, community forums, workshops and consultations with experts should be used to justify the proposed measures. They also considered how data can reveal inequalities in participation, especially for young people with disabilities, those living in rural areas, young people facing economic barriers and groups that are underrepresented in public life.
Another important topic was the connection between recommendations and implementation. Participants explored possible roles for municipalities, ministries, educational institutions, youth organisations, media, businesses and informal youth groups. They agreed that shared ownership is essential because youth participation cannot be improved by one sector alone.
The peer-review process significantly strengthened the draft plans. It also helped participants develop critical thinking, constructive feedback and policy-writing skills. The meeting showed that youth-led proposals can be ambitious while still remaining clear, responsible and achievable.
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.