The Youth Department organised a consultative meeting on Strength and Resilience of International Youth Organisations that took place in Budapest between 21-23 January 2026. The activity brought together 30 participants, representatives of international youth organisations, representatives of the European Youth Forum, researchers and experts, as well as representatives of the Advisory Council on Youth.

The meeting is part of the New Democratic Pact for Europe and contributes to the implementation of the Reykjavik Declaration in respect to civil society’s role in strengthening democracy.

International youth organisations are key actors in shaping youth engagement with democratic processes, human rights defence, as well as international multi-lateral co-operation. Bringing together young people from across the continent on a variety of topics, they advance the idea of Europe through their daily work. International youth organisations have also been key partners of the Youth Department since its founding in 1972.

The consultative meeting participants analysed the current political, social and economic environment in which international youth civil society leads its activity, exploring also opportunities offered by the introduction of the youth perspectives in the work of the Council of Europe, the reform of the European Youth Foundation and the programme of activities of the European Youth Centre.

Discussing the role of democratic governance, effective management, strategic development, and advocacy by international youth organisations, the participants made proposals for measures to be implemented by the Youth Department in the upcoming years in respect to capacity building, advocacy and youth participation, memory and narratives about international youth civil society and funding.