A strategic and political initiative of the Council of Europe to address democratic backsliding across the continent, bringing together member states, parliamentarians, local and regional authorities, civil society, citizens, and experts to anticipate current and future threats to democratic systems and build common responses.

And we wish to hear from you! Join the consultation process towards the New Democratic Pact for Europe by filling out this short survey.

The new mandate of the Programming Committee on Youth (CPJ) began with its first meeting on 30 June–1 July 2026,

preceded by an introductory session on 29 June. This session included exchanges with representatives of the Directorate of Legal Advice and Public International Law and the Council of Europe Ethics Officer, focusing on the proposed revision of the CPJ Rules of Procedure.

Later that afternoon, CPJ members met with the Committee of Ministers’ Rapporteur Groups on Legal Cooperation and on Democracy to discuss Shrinking Civic Space and the role of youth organisations in democratic life.

Key agenda items included electing the new Chair and Vice‑Chair, revising the Rules of Procedure, monitoring the co‑managed activities of the European Youth Centres and grants awarded by the European Youth Foundation (2023–2026), and deciding on the 2027 programme and grants. The Bureaux were also updated on the implications of the EYF reform for long‑term and one‑off co‑operation grants.

Promoting youth participation in decision-making was the main topic of the round table “Youth. Ukraine. Europe. Implementation of the Youth Perspective in Ukraine” (Vinnytsia Regional Youth Centre, 4 June 2026). The meeting gathered young people, representatives of national and regional youth councils, international organisations, civil society and experts on youth policy, including participants in the training on Council of Europe approaches in the youth sector.

During the training, the participants deepened their understanding of the approaches and standards of the Council of Europe and Ukraine on the participation of young people in decision-making processes, discussed the issues of human dignity, equality and justice as a basis for meaningful participation of young people in democratic processes. Together with the expert team, they identified barriers and ways to overcome them for different categories of young people in accordance with the National Strategy for a Barrier-Free Environment 2030. Throughout the training, they exchanged experiences on ensuring meaningful participation of young people and the effective functioning of youth advisory bodies, explored opportunities for international co-operation and planned further steps to implement a youth perspective, strengthen youth participation in decision-making processes.

The meeting was part of the European Youth Foundation supported project: “Rebuild Ukraine Ambassadors Lab”, organised by the European Youth Parliament, in which 25 young people reflected on policy recommendations for Ukraine’s reconstruction and EU Accession process. They presented the committee with their policy recommendations, compiled in the publication 'Rebuilding Ukraine'. Their recommendations will also be part of an advocacy side-event at the PACE plenary session in October 2026.

The European Youth Foundation is announcing two new calls for proposals that will be open for applications this summer:

• Call for proposals for ad hoc youth initiatives “Living and building democracy” (2026.C3.C)
• Call for proposals for international one-off youth co-operation activities supporting young people from Ukraine (2026.C4.A)