DYPALL Network at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg

From 28–30 April 2026, Δίκτυο DYPALL participated in a high-level stakeholders meeting at the Ευρωπαϊκό Κέντρο Νεολαίας Στρασβούργου focused on the implementation of the newly updated Ευρωπαϊκός Χάρτης για τη συμμετοχή των νέων στην τοπική και περιφερειακή ζωή.

Following the recent adoption of the Charter as a key Recommendation to Council of Europe member States, this meeting served as a crucial space for coordination between the Τμήμα Νεολαίας, το Κογκρέσο των Τοπικών και Περιφερειακών Αρχών, και key civil society actors.

Strategic Goals for Local Participation

The meeting aimed to move the Charter from a formal document to a living tool for local democracy. Our discussions focused on several key objectives:

• Policy into practice: Familiarising partners with the new provisions and their implications for local and regional governance.
• Accessible tools: Planning support measures and updates for essential resources, including the “Have Your Say!” manual, to ensure they remain relevant for today’s youth.
• Strategic dissemination: Finding innovative ways to translate and share the Charter so it reaches diverse audiences across Europe.
• Monitoring progress: Developing mechanisms to review how the Charter is being implemented and identifying research gaps to improve future actions.

A Collaborative Effort

With around 30 participants—ranging from local authorities and youth councils to international organisations—the gathering was a powerful example of the co-management spirit. By combining the strengths of different stakeholders, we are working to ensure that the Charter doesn’t just stay on paper but becomes a catalyst for real change in how young people engage with their communities.

At Δίκτυο DYPALL, we remain dedicated to bridging the gap between European policy and local impact, ensuring that every municipality has the tools to make youth participation meaningful and sustainable.