Young people are shaping European societies of the 21st century in an exponentially growing digital, significantly changing demographic, and rapidly degrading natural environment. Living through transitions themselves as individuals and social group, problems and crises affect young people disproportionately.
Millions of young people across Europe and its neighbouring regions are suffering the consequences of war, conflict, and ecological disasters. Nevertheless, young people are often at the centre of developing alternatives for equality and inclusion, for overcoming conflict, antagonisms and social polarisation, for empowering everyone, regardless of background, to realise their human rights.
Arts and culture, civic engagement and participation, at the grassroots to international arenas, can help to engage with youth perspectives, breaking isolation, and anxiety about the future, and build confidence in free and democratic, peaceful and inclusive societies. Encouraging youth perspectives on today’s societies’ challenges, including of vulnerable groups, young people with disabilities, young refugees and migrants, national minorities, Roma, LGBTQ+ individuals, rural youth and poor young people, is the aim of the Youth Perspectives Award.
Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg stated: “As we work to broaden the space for youth perspectives in our Organisation and member States, we defend the freedom of artistic expression and the importance of audiovisual arts in being reference and platform for young people at the same time. Films are shaping democratic values in culturally diverse societies”.
“The transformative potential of cinema is often reflected by showcasing fresh and new perspectives. With the youth perspectives award we wish to encourage more engagement with the questions of being young today, and how people born in this century will shape it”, added Flessenkemper.
"Through a series of initiatives, programmes, and activities, the Sarajevo Film Festival supports young people in their creative endeavors. With the Special Youth Perspectives Award, introduced this year by the Sarajevo Film Festival and the Council of Europe, we highlight films that reflect the reality and thoughts of today’s youth – the challenges they face, their fears and hopes – bringing them closer to the audience and emphasising the key role young people play in shaping the future," stated Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Bojana Urumova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo stated: “The Sarajevo Film Festival, one of the largest cultural events in the Balkans, turned 30 years old last year. In 2025, we are marking 30 years of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through the new Youth Perspective Award, the Council of Europe is returning to a strong partnership with this beloved festival. By helping young cinematic storytellers reach a wider audience, we hope to do our part towards surmounting divisions and building bridges, a vital task at this time of global challenges.”
A cross-section award will be given to the film portraying young people’s role in shaping societies and democracies, as well as their experiences and aspirations, and issues that matter the most to them.
The value of the award is EUR 7 500, and it will be presented annually, initially, for the next three years.
This initiative is a continuation of the longstanding co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Sarajevo Film Festival, using film as a platform to promote human rights, democracy and rule of law. Furthermore, it contributes to the Council of Europe youth sector’s strategic priority on living together in peaceful and inclusive societies, and efforts to support young people active for peace and reconciliation.
The Council of Europe was founded in the wake of the Second World War on 5 May 1949 in London out of the conviction that “the pursuit of peace based upon justice and international co-operation is vital for the preservation of human society and civilisation”. At the Reykjavik summit in May 2023 the Heads of State and Government of the 46 member States declared to invest in a democratic future by ensuring that everyone is able to play their role in democratic processes, prioritising the participation of young persons in democratic life and decision-making processes. The youth sector of the Council of Europe was established in 1972 with the European Youth Centre (Strasbourg/Budapest), the European Youth Foundation and unique co-management of youth and government representatives co-creating innovation internationally.
