How can regions ensure that today’s decisions create opportunities for future generations?

The Summer Academy 2026 will bring together regionally elected representatives, regional officials and youth representatives to explore how the principle of intergenerational fairness can be translated into concrete regional policies.

Under the theme “No Generation Left Behind”, participants will engage in a unique intergenerational dialogue on one of the most pressing challenges facing Europe’s regions: how to meet today’s social, economic and environmental needs while safeguarding the opportunities and well-being of future generations.

Whether you are a regional politician, a regional official or a young representative, the Summer Academy provides a space to learn from one another, build partnerships and strengthen the voice of regions in creating a more inclusive, resilient and future-oriented Europe. (Read more about the concept of the event)

Deadline: 1 September 2026

If you are a member of the Summer Academy Organising Committee, please reach out to Barbara Polin for more information regarding your participation.

About the 2026 edition (full agenda here)

Hosted by the Government of Catalonia, through its Youth Agency, the 2026 Summer Academy will offer a unique platform for peer learning, policy exchange and collaboration. Through interactive workshops, study visits and political discussions, participants will share experiences, explore innovative regional practices and develop practical ideas for embedding intergenerational fairness across policy areas. Alongside regional participants, representatives from institutions such as the United Nations, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the European Committee of the Regions and other institutional stakeholders will contribute their perspectives, enriching the dialogue between regional and international levels of governance.

About the workshops of the Summer Academy 2026

Rurality & Intergenerationality in Policy-Making | Catalan Youth Agency (Catalonia)

Public policies have the responsibility to take them into account both in debates and in the design of their actions. For this reason, this workshop will identify and make visible the different axes of inequality that condition people’s opportunities and experiences.

Democracy & Art: Building Inclusion for Next Generations with Open Art | Nordland County (Norway)

This workshop provides insight into how art can strengthen inclusion, belonging, participation, values ​​and democracy for future generations of people with disabilities.

The Right to Stay is (not) a Game | Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia)

This workshop will explore how investment in sport facilites in rural areas can prevent youth outmigration, facilitating sustainable rural development.

Does AI speak my language? Young Europeans, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Lesser-Used Languages | Údarás na Gaeltachta (Ireland)

Artificial intelligence now shapes how we search, write, translate and even speak online. But the systems behind it are trained overwhelmingly on a small number of major world languages. Many of Europe’s regional and lesser-used languages, risk being left out of the digital future. This workshop explores why some languages thrive online while others struggle, what regions can actually do about it, and what role their own generation will play.

Bridging the Age Gap in Democracy |  Zürich (Switzerland) 

Why do older generations have more influence at the ballot box, and how can we make democracy work better for young people and future generations? This workshop will explore how age influences political decision-making and will identify ideas for a fairer, more representative society.

Youth Space, Youth Voice in Peripheral Regions | Muintearas – Údarás na Gaeltachta (Ireland)

This workshop explores how youth work can empower young people living in peripheral and remote regions, who are often at greater risk of geographical, linguistic and cultural marginalisation. Drawing on the Aran Islands experience, participants will exchange ideas and practical approaches to creating meaningful spaces for youth participation.

How to join the 2026 Summer Academy

To take part in the Summer Academy, participants are requested to purchase a ticket on the dedicated online platform.

Ticket categories:

• Adult ticket (>30 years old): 400 EUR (it includes 3 nights at the Brisamar Suites, single room)
• Youth ticket (<30 years old): 200 EUR (it includes 3 nights at the Xanascat Youth Hostel, shared room)

The price of the ticket includes:

• accommodation with breakfast
• access to all activities of the Summer Academy
• all meals from Wednesday evening to Friday evening
• airport transfers from Barcelona airport

Apply for the AER Summer Academy 2026 Solidarity Fund

The AER Solidarity Fund is designed to support young participants (18-30 years old) who would otherwise be unable to attend the Summer Academy due to financial barriers. If your travel costs cannot be covered by your region, organisation, or another funding source, you are welcome to apply.

As the number of Solidarity Fund places is limited, applications will be assessed on a rolling basis based on the information you provide below. Priority will be given to members of the AER Youth Regional Network (YRN).

If your application is successful, AER can reimburse up to €370 in total after the event:

• €200 towards your Summer Academy participation ticket; and
• up to €170 towards your travel costs between your home and the XANASCAT Comarruga Youth Hostel.

Reimbursement is made after you have attended the full Summer Academy and submitted all required supporting documents, including the signed reimbursement form, invoices, receipts, transport tickets, and (for air travel) boarding passes and proof of payment. Apply here

You can read more about the Summer Academy here, and explore all past editions here.