From left: Laure Verstraete (moderator and board member of the European Youth Forum);
Thibalt Bonte (Acting Director of the Youth Service in Ghent); Tanya Hristova (Chair of the
Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research, and Culture); Bilal Ata
Aktas (consultant and member of DYPALL). Picture: Camilla Gnaccarini.
In the context of the European Week of the Regions, the emphasis on addressing the needs of younger generations is particularly relevant. The session “European Youth Capitals: Youth Participation for a Stronger Democracy” focused entirely on this topic. In this session, Thibald Bonte, Acting Director of the Youth Service in Ghent, Belgium, described how young citizens are actively involved in the city's political processes. Ghent is, in fact, the European Youth Capital for 2024.
The European Youth Capital (EYC) initiative, launched in 2009, aims to enhance youth involvement in democratic decision-making. The key themes for Ghent’s program are “engage,” “empower,” and “care,” all focused on the needs and aspirations of young people.
In Ghent, the youth have participated in media teams, collaborated with architects to redesign public spaces, and received political education. One of the most successful initiatives has been the “Great Debate.” Here, students attended workshops on topics such as climate, money, and democracy, among others. Following this, they discussed these issues in diverse groups. Politicians and teachers were excluded from these discussions to allow students to form their own opinions. Voting booths with mock ballots were also set up, familiarizing them with the voting process. This initiative is especially timely given that 16-year-olds in Belgium can now vote in European Parliament elections. Bonte emphasized that participation is about dialogue, not just agendas. He noted that young people are open-minded, optimistic, and bring creative solutions to the table.
The European Youth Capital is not the only platform encouraging youth engagement. The European network DYPALL (Developing Youth Participation at Local Level), founded in 2018 in Portugal, aims to create synergy at the local level. Bilal Ata Aktas, consultant and member of DYPALL, explained that including young people in decision-making is essential - they contribute not only to addressing their own concerns but also to tackling broader societal issues. Networks like DYPALL are important as they foster new opportunities for youth engagement at both national and international levels.
At the close of the session, Tania Hristova, Chair of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research, and Culture, underscored the role of the Committee of the Regions in supporting such initiatives at local and regional levels.
Democracy must be defended and never taken for granted. The first step in this process is educating the next generation of voters. Education brings people closer to democratic mechanisms, making them easier to understand. These projects are also crucial for reducing voter abstention, a significant issue in some member states, particularly in European elections.
By Camilla Gnaccarini
