The Council of Europe’s co-management system is an example of good governance practice in participatory democracy and citizen participation. It is a place for common reflection, combining the voice of young Europeans and that of public authorities responsible for youth affairs. This dialogue, in a spirit of mutual understanding and respect, gives legitimacy and relevance to the programme of activities proposed by the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) and meaningfulness to intergovernmental co-operation for responsive and needs-based youth policies. The inclusion of young people in the search for responses to emerging challenges also enables the Council of Europe to benefit from their unique perspective, experience and expectations on issues such as technological development and climate change. Beyond governments and youth organisations, youth work practitioners, educators, researchers, policy experts, and young people from grassroots movements are routinely involved.

Council of Europe action in the youth sector is guided by a comprehensive strategy – the Youth sector strategy 2030 – and run through a co-managed decision-making structure. In their Reykjavik Declaration, the fruit of their 4th Summit, the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe agreed there should be “a youth perspective in the Organisation’s intergovernmental and other deliberations as youth participation in decision-making processes improves the effectiveness of public policies and strengthens democratic institutions through open dialogue.” This youth perspective is to be integrated into the Council of Europe’s action. Furthermore, youth policy standards and values are being promoted throughout the member states and through institutional co-operation between the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

The Organisation also grants a quality label for youth centres, which allows a growing network of youth centres to be associated with the youth sector’s values and for youth policy standards to reach a broader spectrum of young people.

Youth Co-Management

• CDEJ European Steering Committee for Youth – governmental representatives from public administrations responsible for youth issues
• CCJ Advisory Council on Youth – thirty young non-governmental representatives
• CMJ Joint Council of Youth – the CDEJ and the CCJ together
  These committees compose the co-managed structure which establishes the priorities, programmes and budget of the youth sector.
• CPJ Programming Committee on Youth
  This subordinate body establishes the programme of activities of the European Youth Centres and the European Youth Foundation, in accordance with decisions of the Joint Council on priorities and immediate outcomes.