The Forum was organised as part of Youth Voices for Heritage, a three-year pilot project (2026–2028) establishing a Youth Advisory Group composed of young professionals aged who are actively involved in organising European Heritage Days events in their respective countries.
The initiative aims to create a structured opportunity for young heritage professionals to contribute to discussions and decisions concerning the future of European Heritage Days, bringing their experience at local and national levels into dialogue with European institutions and heritage stakeholders.
During the three-day forum, participants exchanged experiences and perspectives on youth engagement in cultural heritage, explored challenges and opportunities for greater participation, and began identifying shared priorities for future work.
The programme included collaborative exchanges with European Heritage Days National Coordinators, as well as a dialogue with representatives of member states to the Council of Europe. These discussions provided opportunities to connect young professionals' practical experiences with broader questions concerning cultural heritage policy, participation and cooperation across Europe.
The Forum also laid the groundwork for the development of a Youth Vision for Heritage, which will bring together young professionals' perspectives and recommendations on the future of youth participation in cultural heritage. This document will be further developed during 2027, alongside a Youth Engagement Toolkit designed to support heritage organisations and European Heritage Days organisers in involving young people more actively in their activities.
Through Youth Voices for Heritage, the Council of Europe seeks to strengthen the involvement of younger generations in cultural heritage governance, recognising their role not only in safeguarding and promoting Europe's shared heritage, but also in shaping the policies and initiatives that will influence its future.
The initiative contributes to the Council of Europe's wider commitment to democratic participation and youth empowerment, in line with the objectives of the New Democratic Pact for Europe.
The Youth Advisory Group will continue its work throughout 2027, with the aim of presenting its findings and recommendations within the Council of Europe's intergovernmental framework for culture and heritage.
Youth Voices for Heritage is implemented as part of the European Heritage Days, a joint programme of the Council of Europe and the European Union.
