STRONGER TOGETHER –

Training Course in Strength and resilience of International Non-Governmental Youth Organisations (INGYOs)

In 2026, the Youth Department of the Council of Europe is ramping up its long-standing commitment to supporting youth organisations’ unique and essential contributions to civil society, democracy and human rights. As part of this process, a consultative meeting on the strength and resilience of youth organisations was organised between the 21 – 23 January 2026 at the EYCB.

 The consultative meeting brought together 25 representatives of international youth organisations to reflect on their current realities, challenges and future needs in a rapidly changing and often fragile civic space.

Taking place within the Council of Europe’s broader commitment to democracy, human rights and meaningful youth participation, the consultative meeting focused on strengthening organisational resilience through democratic governance, effective management, strategic development, and advocacy.

 On the basis of peer exchange, dialogue with the youth sector of the Council of Europe and with external experts from the field of international philanthropy and civil society development, participants explored concrete forms of support, capacity building and cooperation, contributing to the design of future capacity development and support mechanisms that enable international youth organisations to thrive and remain sustainable, impactful and responsive to young people’s needs and interests across Europe.

 The 2026 training course on strength and resilience of INGYOs builds upon the findings of the consultative meeting and prior reflections in the youth sector, responding to the urgent need for strengthening organisational resilience. It recognises youth organisations as democratic laboratories, partners in governance, and drivers of change, whose operational effectiveness depends on accessible funding, robust support systems, and continuous capacity development.

 The programme will bring together a group of 30 participants selected among board members, senior staff, and leaders of INGYOs active in the Council of Europe programmes.

 Aim and Objectives

This training course aims to strengthen the resilience and operational capacity of international youth organisations by developing the competences of participants in the areas of democratic governance, organisational management and strategic development and advocacy.

Objectives

• 1.To build participants’ competences related to the strength and resilience of INGYO.
• 2.To support the participating organisations in developing their own strategies for strength and resilience. 
• 3. To strengthen the partnership between the Council of Europe and INGYOs, by associating them to the thematic work of the Council of Europe, mainly in the field of youth and democratic resilience
• 4. To provide a space for networking and mutual learning from the experiences of participating organisations.

 Course structure

The training process is structured as follows:

•  Residential training course 

(4 days, 10 – 13 November 2026, Budapest)

• Sessions on leadership, governance, community management, membership engagement, organisational management, financial planning, strategic development and advocacy.

•  Tailored educational support

(December 2026 – April 2027)

• To be defined according to participating organisations’ needs and the resources available. This may take the form of expert advice, e-learning, opportunities to attend other specific activities proposed by the Youth Department.