The Why Municipal Youth Participation? seminar is an international training and professional development opportunity designed for people working to strengthen youth participation in local and regional decision-making. The seminar will bring together 50 participants in Budapest, Hungary, to explore practical approaches to municipal youth participation and the implementation of the new European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.

Organized by the Council of Europe Youth Department, within the framework of the Youth Revitalising Democracy project, together with the Democracy Reloading Partnership of Erasmus+ national agencies, the seminar will take place from 16 to 21 November 2026 at the European Youth Centre Budapest.

The training is particularly relevant for municipal youth policy officers, youth policy practitioners, locally elected political representatives, youth councils, and youth civil society organizations involved in developing or implementing local and regional youth participation policies.

Applications must be submitted by 15 September 2026 at 24:00 UTC.

Who Can Apply?

The seminar is primarily intended for:

• Municipal youth policy officers and their local partners
• Locally elected political representatives
• Local youth councils
• Youth civil society organizations
• Youth leaders
• Youth policy makers
• Youth policy officers
• Other practitioners involved in planning and implementing local or regional youth participation policies and practices

Applicants must generally:

• Be resident and working in a Council of Europe member state, although exceptions may be possible when duly justified.
• Be able to communicate independently in English.
• Be actively engaged in youth participation policy or practice at the local or regional level.

Priority will be given to participants from countries participating in the Democracy Reloading Partnership, although participation is not exclusively limited to those countries.

No specific race, ethnicity, gender, or academic qualification requirement is stated in the provided information.

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What Is the “Why Municipal Youth Participation?” Seminar?

The Why Municipal Youth Participation? seminar is designed to strengthen the capacity of local and regional actors to develop and implement meaningful youth participation policies.

Youth participation is an important part of democratic life because local and regional authorities make decisions that directly affect young people and their communities.

The seminar provides participants with an opportunity to learn about European standards for youth participation, exchange experiences with peers, explore practical tools, and examine examples of municipal youth participation in Budapest.

The event will bring together 50 participants for an intensive learning and exchange experience.

Who Organizes the Seminar?

The seminar is organized by the Council of Europe Youth Department as part of the Youth Revitalising Democracy project.

It is being organized in cooperation with the Democracy Reloading Partnership of Erasmus+ national agencies.

The Council of Europe is a major European intergovernmental organization focused on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The cooperation between the Council of Europe and Democracy Reloading gives the seminar a particular focus on strengthening democratic participation at the local level.

Where and When Will the Training Take Place?

The seminar will take place in:

European Youth Centre Budapest
Budapest, Hungary

Dates

16–21 November 2026

Participants are expected to arrive on Monday, 16 November and can leave on Saturday, 21 November 2026.

The activity will therefore provide several days of face-to-face learning, discussion, networking, and practical exploration of municipal youth participation.

Main Aim of the Seminar

The central aim is to support local and regional municipalities in designing and implementing participative youth policies that align with the new European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore how European-level standards can be translated into practical approaches within their own municipalities and communities.

The seminar is therefore not only about learning theoretical concepts. It is also focused on understanding how youth participation can work in practice at the local level.

The European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life

A major focus of the seminar is the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.

The Charter is described in the opportunity information as the key standard for youth participation at local and regional level.

The Charter was first adopted in 1992 and subsequently underwent a major revision during 2024–2025.

More than 400 stakeholders participated in the revision process.

According to the provided information, the revised Charter was adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 2026.

The Council of Europe and its partners at international, national, and local levels are taking measures to support implementation of the Charter’s provisions.

This seminar is part of that broader effort.

Why Is the European Charter Important for the Seminar?

The Charter provides a framework for youth participation at local and regional levels.

The seminar will help participants become familiar with its provisions and consider how those provisions can be implemented in their own local realities.

Participants can therefore explore questions such as:

• How can young people participate meaningfully in local decision-making?
• What mechanisms can municipalities use to involve young people?
• How can local youth policies become more participatory?
• How can youth councils and civil society contribute to local policymaking?
• How can European standards be translated into practical municipal policies?
• What approaches have worked in different communities?

The seminar provides a setting for participants to explore these issues collectively.

Objectives of the Seminar

The training has several specific objectives.

1. Understanding the New European Charter

Participants will become familiar with the provisions of the new European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.

They will also explore ways to apply those provisions within their own local and regional contexts.

This means participants can move from simply knowing about the Charter to considering how it can inform practical youth participation policies.

2. Understanding Council of Europe Standards

Participants will learn about Council of Europe standards for local youth participation in democratic life.

This can help practitioners understand the broader European framework surrounding youth participation and democratic engagement.

3. Understanding Democracy Reloading

The seminar will introduce participants to the Democracy Reloading concept and its tools.

These tools are intended to support municipal youth participation in decision-making.

This component can provide participants with practical resources that they can potentially use within their own municipalities and youth policy work.

4. Sharing Experiences and Practices

Another important objective is peer learning.

Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences and practices with other people working on youth participation.

This creates space for participants to learn not only from trainers but also from colleagues working in different countries and local contexts.

5. Learning From Budapest

Participants will also gain insight into practices of municipal youth participation in Budapest and its district municipalities.

This practical component allows participants to examine how youth participation operates in a real municipal environment.

What Will the Program Include?

The seminar will include several learning and practical components.

Introduction to Council of Europe Youth Participation Standards

Participants will be introduced to key standards developed by the Council of Europe concerning youth participation.

Democracy Reloading Concept and Tools

The program will introduce the Democracy Reloading approach and tools designed to support municipal youth participation.

Visits to Local Practices in Budapest

Participants will have the opportunity to visit local examples of municipal youth participation in Budapest.

Council of Europe and Democracy Reloading Resources

The seminar will present relevant tools and resources from both the Council of Europe and the Democracy Reloading Partnership.

Together, these elements combine theoretical learning, practical examples, peer exchange, and exposure to useful resources.

Who Is the Seminar Recommended For?

The training overview specifically recommends the opportunity for:

• Youth leaders
• Youth policy makers
• Youth policy officers

The broader expected participant profile includes municipal youth policy officers, local partners, elected representatives, youth councils, and youth civil society actors who are actively involved in youth participation policies and practices.

The key point is that applicants should have a relevant connection to local or regional youth participation.

Eligible Countries and Regions

The training overview identifies participants from a broad group of European and neighboring countries.

These include:

Other Eligible Countries

• Andorra
• Monaco
• Morocco
• San Marino
• Tunisia
• United Kingdom

Eastern Partnership Countries

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Georgia
• Moldova
• Ukraine

Erasmus+ Youth Programme Countries

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Republic of North Macedonia
• Romania
• Serbia
• Slovak Republic
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Türkiye

Western Balkan Countries

• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovo
• Montenegro

The training information notes that priority will be given to participants from partner countries of the Democracy Reloading Partnership, but participation is not exclusively limited to those countries.

English Language Requirement

The working language of the seminar is English.

Participants are expected to be able to communicate independently in English.

Applicants should therefore be comfortable participating in discussions, following presentations, interacting with other participants, and engaging in group activities in English.

No Participation Fee

There is no participation fee foreseen for selected participants.

Participants are pre-selected by the relevant Erasmus+ national agencies and SALTOs.

This means prospective participants should pay attention to the application and selection arrangements associated with their country or sending organization.

Accommodation and Meals

Accommodation and meals will be provided by the Council of Europe at the European Youth Centre Budapest.

Meals will be provided from:

Dinner on Monday through breakfast on Saturday.

This covers the main period of the seminar from arrival on 16 November through departure on 21 November.

Travel Reimbursement

Participants are expected to arrive on Monday, 16 November and can depart on Saturday, 21 November.

Information about travel reimbursement should be obtained from the participant’s Erasmus+ national agency or SALTO Centre.

Prospective applicants should therefore contact the appropriate national agency or SALTO Centre if they need clarification about eligible travel expenses and reimbursement arrangements.

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Youthpass Certificate

Participants are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate from the organizer.

Youthpass is used to recognize and document competence development gained through participation in youth activities and learning experiences.

For participants, this can provide formal recognition of the learning and competencies developed during the seminar.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

15 September 2026 at 24:00 UTC

Applicants should submit their applications before the stated deadline.

Because the selection process takes place before the seminar, applicants should not wait until the final hours to prepare and submit their applications.

Selection Date

The stated date of selection is 28 September 2026.

Applicants should therefore expect the selection process to take place after the application deadline and before the November seminar.

Seminar Timeline

The key dates are:

Apply here

Costs and Financial Support

The opportunity provides several forms of support for selected participants.

Participation Fee

No participation fee is foreseen.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided by the Council of Europe at the European Youth Centre Budapest.

Meals

Meals are provided from dinner on Monday through breakfast on Saturday.

Travel

Travel reimbursement arrangements should be confirmed with the relevant Erasmus+ national agency or SALTO Centre.

Youthpass

Participants are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate recognizing their competence development during the activity.

How the Seminar Can Benefit Youth Policy Practitioners

The seminar is particularly valuable for people who are already involved in youth participation at municipal or regional level.

Participants can benefit from:

• Greater familiarity with European youth participation standards
• Better understanding of the revised European Charter
• Exposure to Democracy Reloading tools
• Opportunities to exchange practices with international peers
• Exposure to municipal youth participation practices in Budapest
• Access to relevant Council of Europe resources
• Access to Democracy Reloading resources
• Professional networking with other youth policy practitioners
• Recognition of competence development through Youthpass

The combination of learning, practice-sharing, and networking can help participants take new ideas back to their municipalities or organizations.

Why Municipal Youth Participation Matters

Local governments make decisions concerning many aspects of young people’s lives.

Effective youth participation can provide mechanisms through which young people can contribute to decisions affecting their communities.

For youth policy practitioners, understanding how to create meaningful participation structures can therefore be an important part of developing effective local youth policies.

The seminar approaches this issue from a European perspective, using the Council of Europe’s standards and the new European Charter as important reference points.

How to Prepare for the Application

Prospective applicants can strengthen their preparation by clearly understanding the focus of the seminar.

Before applying, consider:

1. Your current role

   Be clear about how your work relates to youth policy, youth participation, municipal decision-making, youth councils, or youth civil society.

2. Your experience

   Identify practical examples of your involvement in local or regional youth participation.

3. Your motivation

   Think about why you want to develop your knowledge of municipal youth participation.

4. Your municipality or organization

   Consider the youth participation challenges your municipality or organization currently faces.

5. What you can contribute

   Since the seminar emphasizes sharing experiences and practices, think about examples and lessons that you can contribute to discussions with other participants.

6. Your language ability

   Make sure you are comfortable communicating independently in English.

7. Travel arrangements

   If selected, contact the relevant Erasmus+ national agency or SALTO Centre regarding travel reimbursement.

Learn more HERE

Important Information for Applicants

Applicants should carefully note that information about training activities reaches SALTO from different sources.

The training platform states that SALTO cannot be held responsible for incorrect information or changes to training activities.

For this reason, applicants should contact the organizers directly for the latest information before making final arrangements.

The listed contact person is:

Laszlo Foldi

Email: laszlo.foldi@cfwb.be

Telephone: +32 2 210 52 33

Key Takeaways

The Why Municipal Youth Participation? seminar provides a focused learning opportunity for professionals and youth participation actors who want to strengthen local and regional youth participation.

The most important details are:

• It is a seminar and training opportunity.
• It will take place in Budapest, Hungary.
• The dates are 16–21 November 2026.
• 50 participants will take part.
• The focus is municipal and regional youth participation.
• The revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life is a central theme.
• Participants will learn about Council of Europe standards.
• The program introduces Democracy Reloading and its tools.
• Participants will explore local youth participation practices in Budapest.
• The working language is English.
• Applicants must generally reside and work in a Council of Europe member state, subject to possible justified exceptions.
• Priority is given to participants from Democracy Reloading partner countries, but the opportunity is not exclusively restricted to them.
• There is no participation fee.
• Accommodation and meals are provided.
• Travel reimbursement information is available through relevant Erasmus+ national agencies or SALTO Centres.
• Participants receive a Youthpass certificate.
• The application deadline is 15 September 2026 at 24:00 UTC.
• The selection date is 28 September 2026.

Conclusion

The Why Municipal Youth Participation? European Training Seminar 2026 is an international learning opportunity for youth policy practitioners and other stakeholders working to strengthen young people’s participation in local and regional democratic life.

Organized by the Council of Europe Youth Department and the Democracy Reloading Partnership of Erasmus+ national agencies, the seminar combines European youth participation standards with practical tools, peer learning, and examples from Budapest.

A central focus will be the new European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, allowing participants to explore how its provisions can be implemented within their own municipalities and communities. The seminar will also introduce Democracy Reloading tools, provide opportunities to exchange experiences with practitioners from different countries, and offer insight into municipal youth participation practices in Budapest.

Selected participants will benefit from no participation fee, accommodation, meals, potential travel reimbursement, and a Youthpass certificate. The program is particularly suited to youth leaders, youth policy makers, municipal youth policy officers, elected representatives, youth councils, and youth civil society actors actively involved in local or regional youth participation.

Interested applicants should submit their applications by 15 September 2026 at 24:00 UTC, with selection scheduled for 28 September 2026. The seminar itself will take place from 16 to 21 November 2026 at the European Youth Centre Budapest in Hungary.