Launched on 27 November 2024, the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe’s HEY (Human Rights Education for Youth) Programme aims to strengthen young people’s capacities to act for human rights. The first year of implementation marks a significant milestone in the Programme’s development. Over the past twelve months, five thematic online courses have been developed, covering topics that have been identified as priorities by and for young people, in line with the Council of Europe’s priorities: Environment, Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue, Media and Information Literacy, Protection of Personal Data, and Responsible, Safe, Inclusive and Ethical Sport.

The Programme generated strong interest, receiving 2,290 applications from young people in North-South Centre member states, as well as from countries in Africa and the Middle East. A total of 205 participants from 65 countries benefited from the online training, strengthening their knowledge of standards in an intercultural context. Among them, 22 took part in the Training of Tutors and are now certified to empower young people within their communities.

Teresa Castro, participant from the organisation Youth Rise in Portugal, reflected on her experience: "My participation the Octopus Conference and the HEY programme through course on Media and Information Literacy, both as a programme attendee and a 'future tutor', gave me a much more critical understanding of how digital rights are inseparable from human rights. It connected me to a network of young, like-minded peers from different contexts, which challenged me in the most positive way and taught me new approaches and insights.

The Training of Tutors was particularly transformative, equipping me with participatory, peer-led and non-formal education methodologies that I have already applied in my work to improve initiatives on human rights and youth. The North-South Centre of the Council of Europe provided me with an experience that combined "two worlds" that complement each other: learning to navigate international formal policy and advocacy spaces and also learning to apply practical tools to support the implementation of accessible initiatives that translate and bridge the gap between theory and daily reality."

Henry Jerome Varfee, Director of Press & Public Affairs at the Liberia National Students Union, shared the impact of the Programme: “The HEY experience was truly transformative. Beyond the knowledge gained on digital rights and human rights education, the environment fostered solidarity, belonging, and a deeper understanding of the challenges young people face globally. The networks built across regions and cultures continue to inspire me every day. I left the training feeling better equipped, more confident, and motivated to create safe and informed civic spaces for youth in Liberia.

Since returning home, I have begun applying the HEY methodology through a new initiative: “Digital Safety for Civic Participation: A Media & Information Literacy Outreach Project.” It targets high school and university students in three rural counties, helping them understand misinformation, digital security, and their rights online through hands-on HEY activities and youth-led content creation. Seeing young people confidently identify misinformation and challenge harmful narratives has reaffirmed the importance of this work. The HEY Programme didn’t just teach me, it gave me the tools to teach others. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing this journey with the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe to advance human rights education and youth empowerment in Liberia and beyond.”

The Programme’s success is strengthened by a broad network of international partners, including the African Union (AU), the Arab Organization for Communication and Information Technologies (AICTO), the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), among others. These collaborations ensure that HEY continues to bridge the gap between global policy perspectives and practical, locally relevant educational initiatives.

The first year of the Programme highlights its strong impact and its value as a platform for youth empowerment and intercultural learning. Next year, other thematic courses will be developed and launched for new groups of participants. In addition, 2026 will mark the start of the cascade courses implemented by HEY tutors, who will deliver the Programme locally.

For more information and testimonies, visit the Programme webpage.

Stay tuned on the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe channels for more information about the Programme development.

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The HEY courses were developed within the framework of iLEGEND III and the South Programme V, joint programmes of the European Union and the Council of Europe, co-funded by the two organisations and implemented by the Council of Europe.