120 young leaders, activists and representatives of youth organisations from across Europe gathered at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg from 24 to 26 June 2026 for the Youth Innovating Democracy event. Organised in the framework of the Monaco Presidency of the Committee of Ministers and in partnership with the European Youth Forum, the event marked a flagship milestone in the consultation phase towards the New Democratic Pact for Europe.
Against a backdrop of growing uncertainty – including war, climate change, social inequalities, technological disruption and democratic backsliding – participants reflected on the challenges facing younger generations today. Many highlighted that, while young people are often described as “the future”, they struggle to trust in the future as they face rising costs of living, declining trust in institutions and growing barriers to meaningful participation in public life.
In response to these concerns, the core objective of the event was the collaborative development of a Manifesto for a European Democracy in 2049, as the year marking the centenary of the Council of Europe. Conceived as a living document, the Manifesto outlines a vision of future European democracies that empowers young people, strengthens participation and ensures that young people's voices guide and inspire those in positions of power.
Over three days of dialogue, plenary discussions and interactive workshops, participants explored how democracies can become more inclusive, more resilient, participatory and firmly grounded in human rights. They identified obstacles to participation, shared innovative practices and developed practical recommendations for democratic renewal. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including electoral reform, digital democracy, combating discrimination, fostering social cohesion and creating more inclusive decision-making processes. Participants also stressed that democracy should not be limited to election periods or political institutions, but should be experienced as a living culture every day in schools, workplaces, communities and online spaces.
A common message emerged from the event: democracy remains worth believing in and fighting for, but it must evolve to meet the realities of a rapidly changing world.
“Youth organisations, youth centres and youth work offer unique democratic spaces – places where young people learn not just to discuss democracy, but to live it,” said Liliya Elenkova, Chair of the Joint Council on Youth. “If we want stronger democracies, we must invest in young people and the environments that help them thrive.”
The programme was structured around three thematic strands:
- Juvenating politics: Innovating the system,
- Equality alive: The Promise of democracy, and
- Empowering communities: Building an ecosystem for youth democratic participation.
On the last day, the key proposals emerging from the Manifesto were presented to Parliamentary Assembly President Petra Bayr, who reaffirmed the importance of meaningful youth participation in democratic life:
“Democracy thrives when young people are not merely consulted but trusted as partners in shaping public life. The ideas presented here demonstrate that Europe’s youth are not waiting for change to happen; they are already leading it. Our responsibility is to ensure that democratic institutions, as the Parliamentary Assembly, remain open to their energy, creativity and ambition.”
Closing the event, Marja Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity, highlighted the significance of the work accomplished at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg.
“The future of democracy will depend on our ability to listen to and work alongside younger generations,” she said. “The Manifesto developed during this event is not only a vision for 2049; it is a call to action for today. We will ensure that its recommendations are translated into concrete action through the finalisation of the New Democratic Pact, ensuring they reflect the commitments made by participants to advance more inclusive, resilient and future-oriented democracies.”
