The conference, held in December 2025 at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, brought together around 80 youth workers, researchers, and civil society representatives from 20 countries and three continents. Their shared goal was to explore how youth work can help defend democratic values and empower young people to engage actively in society.
A timely contribution
The report comes at a critical moment. Over the past decade, the number of democracies worldwide has declined, and civic space has shrunk in many countries. These developments directly affect youth work, which largely takes place within civil society and relies on open democratic environments. Participants at the conference reported similar challenges across very different contexts: increasing political pressure on civil society organizations, funding cuts, growing misinformation, and attempts to discredit democratic values and human rights.
Youth Work: A foundation for democracy
Despite these pressures, the conference demonstrated that youth work remains a powerful driver of democratic participation. Through a wide range of activities—from citizenship education and cultural initiatives to sports, digital engagement, and local youth policy work—youth organizations create spaces where young people learn to participate, cooperate, and take responsibility. Many participants emphasized that youth work begins where democracy itself starts: at the local level, in direct encounters between people. The conference also highlighted the creativity and resilience of youth organizations worldwide, including initiatives that continue their work under difficult political conditions or even in exile.
Insights and ideas for action
The report summarizes the key discussions and insights of the conference. Rather than documenting every session individually, it identifies major themes and lessons learned, including:
- the global decline of democratic space and the impact on youth work
- the importance of strong and independent civil society
- innovative practices that connect youth participation with democracy
- strategies for responding to misinformation and anti-democratic narratives
- the need for stronger structural support and sustainable funding for youth work.
Seeds that need support
A central message of the report is that youth work plays a crucial role in nurturing democratic culture among young people—but it cannot do so alone. Civil society organizations need supportive political frameworks, reliable resources, and international cooperation to continue their work effectively. As the report concludes, democracy must be renewed by every generation. Youth work, as a form of non-formal education and civic engagement, helps make this possible.
The full conference report is now available, offering insights, inspiration, and practical ideas for everyone interested in strengthening democracy through youth work.
