The European Youth Centre in Strasbourg hosted the Coordination and Support Group meeting dedicated to advancing Roma youth participation in Europe on 20-21 January 2026. The event was organised by the Council of Europe’s Youth Department in co-operation with the Roma and Travellers Division and brought together over 20 representatives from Roma youth organisations, networks, and local and national authorities.
The meeting served as a co-ordination platform for the implementation of the Recommendation CM/REC(2023)4 on Roma Youth Participation, which aims to promote the substantive, fair and systematic participation, representation and inclusion of young Roma in society and decision-making processes. In 2024, the Joint Council on Youth adopted a roadmap to support the implementation of the recommendation. This roadmap outlines roles and responsibilities for national authorities, youth and other civil society organisations, Roma youth organisations, and the Council of Europe.
Participants reviewed recent developments, discussed persistent barriers such as structural discrimination and under-representation, and explored practical ways to strengthen Roma youth engagement. They also had the opportunity to hear more about the new Council of Europe Strategy for Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2026 - 2030), which features a strong youth participation component. Working sessions included contributions from Roma youth-led organisations, civil society actors and public authorities, enabling participants to share examples of practices and initiatives from different European contexts. These exchanges helped identify current needs, key challenges and areas where improved coordination and additional support are required.
The meeting also featured discussions on the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe and highlighted the importance of ensuring full and meaningful participation of Roma and other European minorities in decision-making processes as a cornerstone of democratic resilience. Contributions from various Council of Europe bodies, including the Joint Council on Youth, the European Youth Foundation and the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, underlined opportunities for stronger synergies and future cooperation.
Participants emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue, partnership-building and the continued exchange of experiences to enhance the effectiveness of Roma youth participation initiatives.
The Coordination and Support Group meeting has been instrumental in shaping concrete measures and strategies to promote Roma youth inclusion and reinforcing participation. The outcomes of the meeting will be presented to the Joint Council on Youth at its meeting in March 2026.
