The first international online meeting of the Youth4Values project officially launched a new phase of cooperation between young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Greece and Spain. The meeting brought together the national groups selected after the project’s international mobility activities, creating a cross-border working network committed to strengthening youth participation, democratic engagement and respect for European values.
The session opened with introductions by the participants and national coordinators. Each group presented its background, local experience and expectations for the process. This helped participants understand the different realities represented in the network, while also showing that young people across all four countries face comparable challenges: limited access to decision-makers, low trust in institutions, insufficient civic education and a lack of structured opportunities to contribute to public policy.
A central part of the meeting was the presentation of the National Action Plan process. Participants discussed the purpose of the plans, their expected structure and the importance of basing every recommendation on real needs identified through project research, local workshops, community forums and direct work with young people. The groups agreed that the plans should not remain theoretical documents. They should contain realistic actions, responsible stakeholders, expected results and practical proposals that can be presented to public institutions, educational bodies and civil society organisations.
The meeting also clarified the working method for the months ahead. National groups would hold internal meetings to collect evidence and develop country-specific proposals, while monthly international meetings would be used to exchange practices, test ideas and improve the quality of the recommendations. Participants agreed on principles of respectful dialogue, equal participation, shared responsibility and inclusive communication, with special attention to young people with fewer opportunities.
By the end of the first meeting, the network had established a common vision: to turn young people from passive recipients of policy into informed contributors to democratic life. The session created a strong foundation for the National Action Plans and for the wider European recommendations that would later connect the experiences of all partner countries.
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.