Youth participation in politics is essential for building democratic, inclusive, and future-oriented societies. Yet, young people across Europe continue to face barriers to engagement in political and decision-making processes.

The second debate in the Regional Talks series will explore how regional governance can bring together youth representatives, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective representation of diverse voices. Confirmed speakers include:

• Astrid Begenyeza, Project Manager of Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 – Brussels Capital Region, Belgium
• Christelle Savall, President of  the Young European Federalists (JEF)
• Eivind Holst, County Mayor and host of the Summer Academy 2024 – Nordland, Norway
• Johanna Dayer Schneider, Children and Youth Officer, Cantonal Office for the Promotion of Children and Young People – Fribourg, Switzerland

The event is part of the Climbing the Ladder: fostering a culture of Youth Engagement (CL-YE) project, which addresses the need for effective and meaningful structures, mechanisms, and spaces for the active involvement of young people in policy-making and decision-making processes at the local, regional, national, and European levels. The debate will also draw on insights from project publications, including CL-YE Models and Mechanisms of Youth Engagement, which maps out approaches to involving young people in decision-making, and Good practices and case studies, highlighting concrete examples of youth engagement across Europe.

This is a European Youth Together project funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme.

The debate will take place on 15 October 2025, from 18:00 to 20:00 in Brussels.