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🕰️ From the 70s to today, youth participation has been at the heart of the Council of Europe’s work. Since 1972, the European Youth Centre Strasbourg and European Youth Foundation have empowered young people, supported youth-led projects and contributed to strengthen democracy across Europe.

In 1985, the first European Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth marked a milestone for youth participation. It strengthened cooperation between governments and youth organisations, introduced co-management, and led to the creation of the CDEJ to support youth policies across Europe.

📍1995: The European Youth Centre Budapest opened its doors, becoming a hub for youth exchange, dialogue and learning. 📢2013: The No Hate Speech Movement empowered young people across Europe to stand up against hate speech and defend human rights online.

In 2014, the Congress became the first European assembly to involve youth delegates in its work, giving young people a voice in its sessions and democratic debates. In 2023, the Reykjavík Declaration reaffirmed youth participation as essential to resilient democracies across Europe.

In June 2026, the Youth Event of the New Democratic Pact for Europe brought together young people to discuss challenges, share ideas and develop proposals. Their contributions helped shape the Manifesto for a European Democracy 2049.