If you want to understand the state of democracy in a country, look at the state of its young people. Youth has been regarded in our societies as a drive for change. Yet, for many young people across Europe the current situation is often far from aspirational. Growing challenges in accessing social rights, cutbacks to support youth organisations and increased threats towards youth and their engagement for issues they believe in, show that being young today is far from easy.

And in a political environment where young people are accused of not caring about anything, many of their peers have paid a price for their activism and political engagement. Such instances continue to remind us that being a young person taking an active role in the future of our democracies can carry significant personal risk. Yet these attacks also stress the vital role played by young people in the strengthening of our democratic systems.

The Youth Perspectives Award, established in co-operation with the Council of Europe, was presented for the second time at the gala closing ceremony of the 32nd edition of the festival on 21 August 2026. The award acknowledges the essential role young people play in protecting and strengthening our democracies, using culture to carve out spaces and claim agency.

Andrei Dragos Tarta, member of the Advisory Council on Youth and jury, introduced the award to the film Skateboarding Is Not for Girls by Dina Duma. This year’s prize celebrates the freedom to make one’s own choices in the face of traditions and societal expectations. This international co-production between North Macedonia, Belgium, Slovenia and Croatia presents a touching story of unity, family, and hope that comes from belonging. Defying stereotypes with a warm intergenerational story, it offers an authentic portrait of youth and the agency of people living within marginalised communities, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

The new platform for EYF grants and activities organised in the European Youth Centres in co-operation with youth organisations is live since the beginning of August.

This online hub contains information about the EYF Grants, and as from 2027 the opportunities to apply for activities organised in the European Youth Centres in co-operation with youth organisations.

Curious which NGOs from your country are registered with us? Looking for a partner for one of your projects?

Check the public registry of youth organisations on this platform: Support4Youth

The Council of Europe, in co-operation with the National Youth Agency, organised in Chisinau the COMPASS Training Course on Human Rights Education. The event brought together 20 youth workers, leaders, volunteers and trainers from formal and non-formal education contexts, within the framework of the project “Youth for Democracy and Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova” part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Moldova 2025-2028.

The Human Rights Education through COMPASS isn't stopping here. In October, the Council of Europe Office and the National Youth Agency will run a new COMPASS training, and the cohort will be national in scope, bringing together youth workers, education specialists and teachers from across the Republic of Moldova.

The goal is the same as it was in May: to prepare a new generation of people who can keep doing this work long after the training itself is over.

A coaching visit took place in Brčko Youth Centre together with an expert from the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres programme.

The sessions included meetings with stakeholders, reflections on the centre’s work, discussions on Council of Europe Youth pedagogical resources and approaches. The Director and the Youth Programme Coordinator from the Quality Labelled Eco Centre Radulovački (Serbia) also gave their input.

The visit was part of a broader coaching process to Brčko Youth Centre running until December 2026, with the objective to support the centre in developing a long-term strategy defining its mission, target groups and needs, programme structure and educational team.

On 12 August 2026, International Youth Day, the Ukrainian Youth Forum "Youth Acts" took place in Kyiv, bringing together young people from across Ukraine.

The Council of Europe presented opportunities and educational resources for young people and those who work with them.

The Ukrainian Youth Forum 2026 was organised by the Council on Youth Affairs under the President of Ukraine together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, with the financial support of Hepatica, organisational support of the Platform for the Development of Youth Initiatives/YOU IN and in co-operation with the Office of the President of Ukraine.

On the occasion of the Youth Day, representatives of national youth councils and national youth organisations of Ukraine got acquainted with the activities of the Council of Europe in Ukraine and discussed ideas for co-operation with the Organisation’s projects and the Register of Damage for Ukraine.

Opening the event, which took place on 7 August 2026, Maciej Janczak, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, stressed the importance of co-operation between the Council of Europe and youth civil society to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

The participants discussed the contribution of the Council of Europe to strengthening youth policy and youth work at the local, regional and national levels in Ukraine. 

International one-off youth co-operation activities in 2027
Supports activities that promote and develop international understanding and solidarity and contribute to the promotion of human rights and democracy. Examples of activities that can be supported through these grants are international meetings of young people (youth camps, seminars, conferences, training courses or study visits)

International long-term youth co-operation projects in 2027
Supports international long-term youth co-operation projects that promote and develop international understanding and solidarity and contribute to the promotion of human rights and democracy. The projects include a combination of international meetings and other activities such as campaigns, advocacy projects, production of educational and other resources, research…

The deadline to apply to both calls is 1 October 2026, 23.59 CET.

Once registered, youth organisations can apply, as per the eligibility criteria indicated in the Guide to the grants of the European Youth Foundation. Project applications happen on our platform: Support4youth.coe.int