DYPALL Network at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg

From 28–30 April 2026, DYPALL-verkko participated in a high-level stakeholders meeting at the Euroopan nuorisokeskus Strasbourg focused on the implementation of the newly updated Eurooppalainen peruskirja nuorten osallistumisesta paikallis- ja alueelämään.

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 Nuoriso-osasto, , Paikallis- ja aluehallintoasiain kongressi, ja 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 DYPALL-verkko, 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.