2026 European Platform for Youth Centres
The annual European Platform Meeting for Quality Label Youth Centres took place at Destelheide-Hanenbos Youth Centre (Dworp, Belgium) between 6-11 June 2026.
This year’s event was co-organised by the Council of Europe Youth Department and the and the Destelheide-Hanenbos Youth Centre , which has been awarded the Quality Label since 2016. .
The Platform Meeting is organised annually to encourage the sharing of professional knowledge among Quality Label youth centres and those aspiring to acquire the label. This year, 55 youth centre directors, managers and youth policy officials from across Europe gathered to discuss the role of youth centres in promoting critical thinking and participation among young people.
Objectives
- to map out experiences and relevant initiatives that develop competence and action for youth centres and youth workers in the field of critical thinking;
- to identify the needs, practices, resources, and gaps in support tools for young people’s critical thinking in the digital age.
- to encourage peer learning, networking and exchange among members of the network.
- to promote and disseminate tools, materials and publications developed by different actors with relevant experience in the field.
Participants
The event brought together 55 participants from youth centres with the Council of Europe Quality Label, as well as youth centres aspiring to acquire the label. Representatives of local, regional or national authorities dealing with youth structures, and youth organisation representatives, also attended the event.
The Chair of the European Steering Group for Youth (CDEJ) and two members of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe (CCJ), who follow the Quality Label portfolio, also attended the event.
