Cross-Sectoral Forum on Youth Participation in Democratic Life, Report

European countries have a diversity of approaches reflecting the richness in which youth participation is perceived. The Cross-Sectoral Forum on Youth Participation in Democratic Life has been designed as a vibrant space of learning and exchange focusing on strategies for cross-sectoral collaboration among youth participation and civic education sectors and sharing best practices aiming to support youth engagement.

The main aims addressed by the event included:

• contributing to a shared understanding of youth participation in democratic life in both formal and non-formal sectors – what are the main concepts & approaches,
• creating a space for mutual learning – including practices connected to school education & civic education citizenship as well as youth work sector & youth participation,
• identifying key competencies to advance cross-sectoral cooperation,
• inspiring professionals from both sectors to identify avenues for working together and potentially develop joint projects in the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme,

Check the Report to discover the main insights of the event and the recommendations addressed to all stakeholders interested in advancing cross-sectoral cooperation that fosters youth participation.

The Forum was organised in November 2023, in the framework of New Power in Youth Strategic Partnership between several National Agencies (NAs) for Erasmus+ & European Solidarity Corps and SALTO Resource centres. Hosted by the Latvian NA, it brought together 40 experts from three countries (Estonia, Latvia and Slovenia) and a European region containing the Western Balkan countries (supported by South-East Europe SALTO Resource Centre).