Home » Catalogue of resources
Explore our selection of resources, publications, and tools dedicated to fostering youth participation and sustainable democracies.
From innovative projects to insightful publications, our catalogue provides valuable resources to empower young people and promote active engagement in democratic processes.
Publication of the month
2024
EmpowerEU
Building on the success of the “Educate for Democracy” programme, the three new chapters added under the EmpowerEU project enhances understanding of the EU and its institutions, encouraging civic responsibility and active participation. With three new chapters, it delves further into the EU’s foundations. By engaging with these resources, young people will deepen their knowledge of EU democracy, cultivating a sense of belonging and European civic duty. This active involvement in the democratic process empowers them to shape Europe’s future and contribute to a more just, inclusive, and prosperous society.
The toolbox offers a range of tools and strategies to boost youth participation in EU elections, drawing from campaigners’ experiences. Covering best practices in outreach, digital engagement, and campaign appeal, it is designed as a flexible, user-friendly guide adaptable to future elections.
European Economic and Social Committee
This study explores effective practices for youth participation in policy and decision-making processes, providing a comprehensive overview of what youth participation means and its key characteristics. The aim of the study is to provide recommendations for mainstreaming structured and meaningful youth participation within the EESC and other EU institutions, in line with the EU Youth Strategy and the UN Youth Strategy, and based on four case studies at local, national, EU, and international levels: the Local Youth Council in Klaipèda (Lithuania), the Austrian National Youth Council, the Co-management System of the Council of Europe and the OECD Youthwise Initiative.The study emphasis that while intentions to involve young people are very positive, actual implementation is generally limited by a lack of understanding of young people’s needs, insufficient managerial and financial resources and engagement strategies, and a lack of recognition of youth intersectionality. To be effective, young people must be seen as an integral part of civil society and their participation must be a structured process, not just an add-on.
Climbing the Ladder: fostering a culture of Youth Engagement
This publication examines diverse models and mechanisms of youth engagement across Europe, with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of involving young people in decision-making processes at the EU, regional, and local levels, while highlighting the need for meaningful participation.
Study on structured youth engagement
The publication titled “Local Youth Councils – Analysis of Policy and Mechanisms” explores the role and effectiveness of Local Youth Councils (LYCs) in enhancing youth participation in decision-making processes across Europe. It compares the impact of LYCs in Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, and Portugal, analyzing their structures, challenges, and successes. The study provides recommendations and resources to improve youth engagement at the local level, aiming to foster more inclusive and impactful youth participation in governance. The analysis serves as a resource for policymakers, youth organisations, and LYC members.
LYCIS
A practical tool which can be used by the local youth council members, youth workers or municipality officers when setting up or improving the local youth council. It provides criteria and indicators for evaluating the local youth council’s fair, meaningful and impactful, and sustainable youth participation in order to make it more inclusive and participatory.
2023
A short and comprehensive guide that aims to provide clear instructions and support for everyone who wants to use the Quality Charter for the assessment and enhancement of local youth councils.
Set of training modules based on non-formal education, with the aim to provide young people, youth workers and municipality officers with the capacity to build better youth councils (more inclusive, more digital, more impactful)
Democracy Reloading
The Democracy Reloading Toolbox is a valuable resource intended to support youth workers, trainers and other educational actors with the tools necessary to improve active citizenship and democracy in local and regional communities. The publication results from compiling existing educational exercises developed by different institutions and educational providers in the field of non-formal education and trainers.
Youth Democracy Academy
The Youth Democracy Academy Assessment Tool is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the Educate for Democracy Toolkit with the support of the board game. It is intended to help assess the effectiveness of the program in achieving the objectives, as well as to identify any areas for improvement.