In May we celebrate Europe Day! What better way is there to embody democracy and peace than to promote it every day! 

Democratic backsliding, disinformation, impunity, and authoritarianism are undermining democracy in Europe. People are increasingly afraid and frustrated. It comes at a time when democratic security – the resilience of our democratic  institutions, freedoms, and values – is our first line of defence against the threats we face. A collective response is needed. There is no quick fix and no single solution. With the New Democratic Pact, the Council of Europe unites with its partners to boost solutions that work and create new responses.

The European Youth Foundation is supporting young people and their youth initiatives in learning about democracy. Their reflections and ideas are feeding into the New Democratic Pact for Europe. On the EYF webpage you will discover some of the initiatives funded by the EYF that brings a youth perspective on reinforcing democracy in Europe.

From 8 to 10 April 2026, the 6th edition of the Roma Youth Together Seminar gathered in Strasbourg over 30 Roma youth leaders and youth workers from Roma and Travellers communities across Europe; the event was organised by the Council of Europe’s Youth Department and Roma and Travellers Division, in co-operation with the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), the International Roma Youth Network - TernYpe and the European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network and Phiren Amenca.

The seminar showcased the achievements and contributions of Roma youth in Europe, with an emphasis on Roma pride and cultural celebration. Its aim was to empower Roma youth leaders by strengthening their sense of identity and belonging, and by developing their skills as positive agents of change.

Particular attention was given to the Council of Europe co-management system, as well as the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life. The European Youth Foundation's funding mechanisms and the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres were also presented as concrete tools to support youth work ecosystems in member states.

A workshop on artificial intelligence, young people and democratic resilience gathered 20 participants representatives of youth organisations, youth workers actively engaged in promoting AI literacy and young people’s participation in democratic life, and representatives of the Joint Council on Youth.

The event provided a space to critically engage with the implications of AI for young people and to strengthen their capacity to address these challenges in line with Council of Europe standards. It forms part of ongoing efforts linked to the 2025 Roadmap on AI, Youth Policy and Youth Work with a focus on capacity-building and educational development.

Discussions emphasised that AI literacy must go beyond technical knowledge but also empower young people to critically assess AI systems, understand its implications, and advocate for inclusive, transparent, and accountable approaches. Participants highlighted the importance of anchoring AI literacy in human rights, social justice, and democratic participation, ensuring that young people are active contributors to the digital public sphere.

On 2 April 2026, youth workers from different regions of Ukraine reviewed professional cases during the first intervision meeting on trauma-informed youth work. The first event was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe project "Youth for Democracy in Ukraine: Phase IV" in response to the need for monthly intervision meetings expressed during a focus group discussion of graduates of the specialised trainings in 2022-2026.

The possibilities of intervision to support youth workers and young people during the war is presented in the updated Manual of the Training Course on Human Rights and Trauma-Informed Youth Work. The manual consists of 7 modules aimed at strengthening competences related to human rights, youth access to human rights, understanding traumatic experiences and resilience, as well as for interaction and networking to provide psychological support. The new edition is in line with the updated Council of Europe Youth Work Portfolio and includes the experience of youth organisations and projects supported by the European Youth Foundation since 2022.