From 21 to 23 April, a study visit to the Council of Europe brought together 17 representatives from the Moldovan youth sector including youth policymakers, youth workers, civil society leaders and student representatives from the National Youth Agency, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the National Youth Council. Over the course of three days youth stakeholders deepened their understanding of European standards and instruments for democratic youth participation, human rights education and youth policy.

Participants visited the European Court of Human Rights, gaining direct insight into the functioning of the Convention system. They toured the Palais de l'Europe and attended a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and discussed priorities of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe with H.E. Ambassador Daniela Cujba, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the Council of Europe.

Particular attention was given to Council of Europe co-management system, as well the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, which sets standards for establishing permanent youth participation structures, including local youth councils, and defines the conditions authorities must create for meaningful participation.

The European Youth Foundation's funding mechanisms and the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres were also presented as concrete tools to support youth work ecosystems across member states.

Youth perspective, peace education and access to social rights for young people were featured as cross-cutting topics throughout the visit.

Sessions introduced participants to key Council of Europe Youth sector instruments, including Compass Manual for human rights education with young people, available in more than 30 languages and widely used by youth workers, educators and civil society actors across Europe and "Have Your Say!", - a practical guide supporting local and regional authorities and youth organisations in building effective participation structures.

The study visit marks an early milestone in the "Youth for Democracy and Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova" project, establishing a shared foundation of Council of Europe standards among key stakeholders and laying the groundwork for sustained cooperation, youth policy development and rights-based youth work across the Republic of Moldova in the project’s implementation ahead.

The activity was organised by the project "Youth for Democracy and Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova," which is part of the Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova, the National Youth Agency, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the National Youth Council of the Republic of Moldova.