During the third international meeting, Youth4Values participants moved from identifying problems to designing solutions. The main task was to transform broad ideas about democracy and participation into clear recommendations that could be included in the National Action Plans.
The groups first discussed what makes a recommendation useful. They agreed that each proposal should respond to a defined problem, identify the target group, explain the proposed action, name the institutions or organisations that could implement it and include indicators for measuring progress. This approach helped participants move away from general statements and towards proposals that policymakers and community stakeholders could realistically consider.
Working in mixed-country groups, participants explored several priority areas: improving civic education through formal and non-formal learning; creating regular youth consultations at local level; strengthening youth councils and advisory bodies; supporting youth-led community initiatives; involving young people with fewer opportunities; and developing transparent feedback mechanisms after public consultations. They also discussed how online tools, social media and accessible digital platforms can be used to inform young people and make participation easier.
The international format was especially valuable because it allowed successful practices from one context to be examined through the needs of another. Participants considered what could be transferred directly, what would require adaptation and what might not be suitable because of legal or institutional differences. This critical comparison encouraged more realistic planning and reduced the risk of copying models without understanding the conditions needed for their success.
By the end of the meeting, every national group had a clearer set of priority recommendations and a common template for developing them further. The session demonstrated that international cooperation is most effective when it produces concrete, locally relevant outcomes rather than only an exchange of opinions.
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.