The AER is happy to announce a new partnership with the DYPALL Network and the Youth Department of the Council of Europe to host the study session Climbing the ladder – Capacitating youth leaders to facilitate youth participation in decision-making processes at the local level. This event will take place from 24 to 30 April 2022 in the European Youth Centre Strasbourg (EYCS), France.

AER is looking for youth leaders coming from member regions to benefit from a one-week training module to acquire key competencies in the field of youth participation.

Interested? Then keep reading below!

A training session made by youth and for youth

The study session “Climbing the ladder – Capacitating youth leaders to facilitate youth participation in decision-making processes at the local level” focuses on two of the five strategic priorities of the Council of Europe youth sector: Revitalising pluralistic democracy (1) and Youth work (4).

Specifically, it aims to revitalize pluralistic democracy and promote quality development and recognition of youth work through sustainable actions plans, valorizing the role that young people can play in these processes. In regards to the priority of Revitalising pluralistic democracy, it focuses on the instruments for youth participation, as the aim of the session is to equip youth delegates, youth workers, representatives of local youth councils, and similar participation structures with practical knowledge and skills to foster processes of meaningful youth participation at the local level all around Europe.

In regards to the priority of Youth work, the activity will produce follow-up strategies to disseminate the Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation CM/Rec(2017)4 on youth work, the recently adopted Final Declaration of the 3rd EYWC (specific focus on the policy frameworks and the Bonn process) and the report on youth work adopted by the Statutory forum of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

What are the main objectives?

The participants will expand their knowledge about youth work and youth participation in decision-making processes, including most recent trends while improving their practical skills in facilitating short activities and designing a youth dialogue process.

The specific objectives of the study session are to:

• bring together and train 25 youth leaders from all around Europe about youth participation in decision-making processes at the regional and local levels
• create and test a learning module based on non-formal education that includes vital skills (advocacy, outreach, facilitation, etc.)
• explore the impact of Covid19 in the traditional and formal processes of youth participation.
• empower 25 young facilitators committed to revitalising pluralistic democracy and foster youth political participation from the local to the European arena.

Who can participate?

25 youth leaders aged 18-30 years old, residing in one of the Council of Europe Member States, will be selected as beneficiaries of this CoE Study Session. The activity is targeting:

• Current and Former Youth delegates to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities;
• Youth leaders and young people with a strong interest in youth participation;
• Young representatives of local and regional youth councils and similar participation structures;
• Youth workers who are committed to empowering young people as key actors in decision-making processes.

N.b.: Previous experience in the youth sector, specifically related to youth participation in decision-making processes and youth work, is not necessary but is welcomed. 

What about participation costs?

Reasonable flight/trip expenses shall be reimbursed up to 350 Euros. Local transport from/to the venue, accommodation, meals, and visa costs are fully covered in exchange for a 50-Euro fee to be deducted from the reimbursements. Please, refer to the official call for participants for further details on reimbursements.

How to apply?

Youth delegates sponsored by an AER member region may be privileged to participate. Young candidates must indicate on the application form their connection with AER in the “Organisational information” or “anything you would like to add?” sections. Following the application deadline, only those selected will receive a confirmation email and an invitation to attend the event.

Please, visit the AER event page for further details on the practicalities and application procedures. Hurry up! The application deadline is set for 20 February 2022!