DYPALL Network at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg

From 28–30 April 2026, Rete DYPALL participated in a high-level stakeholders meeting at the Centro europeo della gioventù Strasburgo focused on the implementation of the newly updated Carta europea sulla partecipazione dei giovani alla vita locale e regionale.

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 Dipartimento della Gioventù, il Congresso dei poteri locali e regionali, e 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 Rete 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.