The fourth event of the project “YOUth and Democracy: Empowering EUrope's Next Generation” took place in Figueira da Foz, Portugal, from February 2 to 5, 2025. This impactful event gathered 97 local and international participants from 18 different European countries, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration to promote youth participation in democracy. The attendees included policymakers, youth leaders, experts from civic organizations, and educators, all united by a shared commitment to strengthening local democracy and engaging young people in the upcoming European Elections.
The event kicked off on Sunday, February 2, with participants arriving at Porto Airport, followed by organized transfers to Figueira da Foz, a coastal town renowned for its maritime heritage. The evening featured a welcome dinner that provided an opportunity for informal introductions and networking among the participants, setting the tone for collaboration throughout the event.
On Monday, February 3, the group visited Paiao, a village in the Figueira da Foz municipality, where the program began with a warm welcome from Mr. José Alberto Carvalho, President of Paiao, and Mr. Alberto Romar, Mayor of Santa Comba. They emphasized the importance of fostering youth participation and promoting democratic values. Following this, a youth-led video presentation showcased the local culture and heritage of Paiao, giving international participants an insight into the community’s values.
The highlight of the morning was a debate on “Young People and First-Time Voters: How to Motivate Them?” featuring a panel of esteemed speakers including Ms. Ana Oliveira, a National Deputy from the Portuguese Assembly, and Mr. José Veranda, representing the National Youth Council. The discussions centered around strategies to engage young voters, specifically first-time voters, and the role that public institutions, youth associations, and policymakers can play in motivating them. Participants actively contributed to the conversation, reflecting on their own experiences and sharing successful initiatives from their home countries.
After a traditional coffee break with live cultural music, participants enjoyed a cultural exploration of Paiao, including visits to the Seiça Monastery and the Salt Museum, which provided an opportunity to understand the local history and maritime roots of the town.
On Tuesday, February 4, the group returned to Figueira da Foz for further sessions. They met with Mr. Pedro Santana Lopes, the mayor of Figueira da Foz, and participated in a conference led by Ana Catarina Mendes, a Member of the European Parliament. Mendes delivered a compelling address about the challenges facing youth in the 2024-2029 European Parliament legislature. She spoke about the importance of bridging the gap between young people and European institutions, particularly in more peripheral regions like Figueira da Foz. Mendes proposed initiatives aimed at making the European Parliament more accessible to youth, such as increasing outreach in schools and universities and promoting transparency in decision-making processes. This was followed by a group photo, capturing the spirit of unity and collaboration among the delegates.
Later, participants had the chance to explore the local markets, learning about Figueira da Foz’s maritime culture through a guided visit to the fish and seafood market. The cultural immersion continued with a visit to the Museum of Salt, where participants gained deeper insight into the region's salt production and its significance to the local economy. Lunch in Figueira da Foz offered another opportunity to sample traditional Portuguese cuisine.
On Wednesday, February 5, the event wrapped up with breakfast, check-out, and final goodbyes. Before departing, participants had a chance to reflect on the key takeaways from the event and discuss how to continue the momentum toward empowering youth in democracy. The farewell dinner was a moment to celebrate the connections made, the lessons learned, and the collective commitment to youth participation in European governance.
Key conclusions from the event highlighted the critical importance of making democracy more inclusive and accessible to young people. Several strategies were proposed, including the use of social media campaigns to engage young voters, lowering the voting age, and creating local Youth Councils to provide young people with a direct voice in decision-making. The event also emphasized the need for political education in schools and universities, where young people could learn about the power of their vote and the impact of democratic processes on their lives.
The participants agreed that the next steps should involve continued collaboration and networking, with a focus on disseminating the outcomes of the event across the EU. The insights gained from this gathering will contribute to future initiatives aimed at encouraging youth participation in elections, ensuring that the next generation of Europeans is actively involved in shaping the future of their societies and the European Union.
Past Events
The second event of the "EU4YOUth" Network of Towns project, organized under the CERV Programme, was hosted in Pavlikeni, Bulgaria, from September 9 to 12, 2024. This initiative, led by the Municipality of Santa Comba, Spain, and supported by 19 partners from 18 EU countries, aimed to empower European youth and enhance citizen participation in democratic processes, particularly in light of the 2024 European Elections. Over 85 participants from across Europe, along with local citizens, policymakers, and experts, gathered to discuss pressing issues and share ideas for fostering democratic engagement and inclusion.
The event’s key objectives included raising awareness of the significance of democratic participation, particularly among young people, promoting collaboration among European towns, and addressing challenges such as voter apathy and digital inclusion. These discussions took place in a setting designed to inspire intercultural dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions for engaging citizens in the EU’s democratic processes.
A series of conferences and debates marked the event’s intellectual core. Prominent speakers included Ivailo Zdravko, Regional President, who emphasized empowering young people to engage in local initiatives, and Daniel Panov, Mayor, who highlighted the critical role of education in fostering informed and active citizenship. Patricia Val, Vice Mayor of Santa Comba, delivered an address on digital technologies' role in increasing youth participation in politics. Together, these sessions explored themes such as the outcomes of the 2024 European Elections and strategies to strengthen youth involvement in shaping Europe’s future.
Workshops provided an interactive space for participants to explore participatory democracy, youth-led initiatives, and policy inclusivity. Highlights included a masterclass by Olga Stoyanova, a political science expert, who discussed fostering equality and inclusion, and an engaging session by Francisco Javier Ulloa, who presented best practices in participatory budgeting. These workshops were widely praised for their practical insights and opportunities for dialogue.
Participants also immersed themselves in Bulgarian culture through guided tours of historical landmarks, such as the Fortress of Tsarevets and the Thracian Pottery Complex, as well as traditional Bulgarian music and dance performances. These cultural experiences enriched the event by fostering a deeper appreciation of the region’s heritage and traditions, further enhancing intercultural understanding.
Suggestions included offering more free time for participants to explore local attractions independently and incorporating additional informal networking opportunities.
The event's impact was amplified through press releases and local media coverage, social media updates and posts showcasing event highlights, materials collected during the event will be used to create an e-book, documenting insights and best practices for wider dissemination.
The next meeting, planned in Rabat, Malta, will build on the same achievements, continuing the project’s mission to inspire and connect citizens across Europe.
The first meeting of the project entitled “Youth and democracy: Empowering EU next generations” was celebrated in Santa Comba (Galicia, Spain) from the 1st to the 4th of February.
The project, funded by the European Commission through the CERV program, gathered more than 90 direct participants including young people from Santa Comba who actively introduced Galicia and their local town to the 38 international participants.
During the program of activities, the different participants had time to introduce their localities, speak about European issues such as the upcoming European elections, getting to know European services like Europe Direct. There was time to hold meetings with local politicians and visit democratic institutions such as the Provincial government of A Coruña.
The promoter is the Municipality of Santa Comba (Spain) who organized a symbolic town twinning between the 19 partners and 18 participant countries. Representatives from each entity signed a brotherhood oath to respect and promote European values such as democracy, tolerance or peace.
Next September, a new event will be held in Sofia (Bulgaria) and will focus on the analysis of the results of the European elections. Furthermore, there will be time to reflect about the challenges that the new European government must address to improve the quality of life of its citizens at local level.
These projects are a very important opportunity to promote European citizenship at local level, involving and engaging citizens from different areas, especially young people.