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DG Democracy
Directorate of Democratic Participation
Youth Department
THINK YOUTH No 73 - September 2019
Participants in the Austrian room, European Youth Centre Strasbourg
Roma Youth Participation: What Now?
From 25 to 27 September the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg hosted the “Roma youth participation: What now?” seminar with Roma youth activists and experts to assess needs and priorities of young Roma across Europe, in co-operation with the Roma and Travellers Team. The thirty-five participants reviewed the achievements of the Roma Youth Action Plan. They also suggested measures in the areas of policy development, capacity-building and advocacy. They stressed the importance of consistent action to combat antigypsyism. Their proposals and recommendations will be submitted to the upcoming meeting of the Joint Council on Youth.

From 20 September and until 30 October, an exhibition on Lithuanian Roma during the inter-war period will be displayed at the EYCS, courtesy of Department of National Minorities of the Government of Lithuania. #RomaActiveYouth
Information session for Permanent Representations
On 16 September, an information session on the Council of Europe youth sector was organised at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg (EYCS). This short and lively session enabled Permanent Representations to (re)discover the Council of Europe youth sector in an informal way. The youth sector’s interdependent instruments, methodologies and policies were introduced to approximately 30 diplomats, who also had an opportunity to ask questions and visit the EYCS.
Cooperation with the Russian Federation
On 20 October the meeting of the Management Committee of the Framework Programme on youth cooperation between
the Council of Europe and the Russian Federation was held in the headquarters of the Council of Europe. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the 2019 programme of activities and, more importantly, prepared the basis for a new four-year programme which will be submitted to the upcoming meeting of the Joint Council on Youth.
Co-management shortlisted for the Future Policy Award 2019
The Council of Europe’s unique youth co-management system is one of the eight shortlisted policies for the Future Policy Award 2019.
This year’s award is organised by the World Future Council, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The award celebrates policies that, amongst others, advance youth civic engagement and political participation. In total, 67 policies from 36 countries, regional and international level were nominated. 

The Council of Europe’s co-management system has been shortlisted as one of the most impactful policies in empowering young people. Winners of this year’s Future Policy Award will be announced on 15 October 2019 and celebrated during the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Belgrade, 16 October 2019).
Youth sector strategy 2030: final stages
On 16 September, the chairs and vice-chairs of the co-managed youth statutory bodies met to finalise the draft Council of Europe youth strategy 2030, before its examination by the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) at its plenary meeting in October.
16 September 2019, European Youth Centre Strasbourg
The chairs and vice-chairs took stock of the comments received during the written consultation of the CMJ and agreed on a final consolidated proposal. If adopted by the CMJ, the draft strategy would be immediately transmitted to the Committee of Ministers, for a possible official adoption and launch in January 2020, during the Georgian chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.
Enrol now! Essentials of Youth Policy MOOC
The 2019 edition of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on ‘Essentials of Youth Policy’ is now open for enrolment.The course will start on 7 October and have a duration of 6 weeks.
It is open to all interested, offered free of charge, flexible and interactive. The course will equip learners with the basic competences to engage in youth policy. Learners will learn about the essential elements of youth policy, the steps of youth policy (development, delivery, evaluation), its impact in the lives of young people, and they will reflect on their future steps in youth policy.
The course is organised and offered by the partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth.
Youth policy advisory mission to Georgia
From 24 to 26 September, a Council of Europe delegation are visiting Tbilisi and Rustavi to advise the newly created Youth Agency of Georgia on a new participatory youth policy.
Tbilisi, Georgia

The delegation will meet several key stakeholders and provide advice to the national authorities on the development of a participatory youth policy for Georgia, based on the Council of Europe’s standards.
Participants during one of the plenary sessions at the EYCS
Symposium on young people’s political participation
From 18 to 20 September, the partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of
youth organised a symposium on "the future of young people’s political participation: questions, challenges and opportunities". More than 120 participants (engaged young people, youth NGOs, representatives of public institutions, researchers, activists, political party representatives, media, etc.) explored current tensions, challenges and opportunities regarding the political participation of young people. The symposium (#YouthPolPart19) also created a space for learning and inspiration among actors involved in this topic.
31st August, Berlin
Quality Label Award Ceremony - wannseeFORUM Foundation
On 31 August 2019, the wannseeFORUM Foundation in Berlin, Germany received the Council of Europe’s Quality Label for Youth Centres for the period 2019-2021 and thus became the 14th youth centre to be honoured. The award ceremony was held in the presence of Sigrid Klebba, State Secretary of the Berlin Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family and Antje Rothemund, Head of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe.
Volunteering as a tool for Roma participation
Phiren Amenca International Network organises a study session in the EYCB (30 October-4 November) to improve the capacities of youth voluntary service organisations for the recruitment, preparation, support and continued involvement of their Roma and non-Roma volunteers.
Volunteering for Roma Participation, Phiren Amenca
Compass TC in Moldova
The Council of Europe Youth Department will support the COMPASS National Training Course on Human Rights Education organised by The MilleniuM Training and Development Institute on 6-12 October in Vadu’ lui Voda.
News from the EYF
The EYF met organisers and participants of international activities funded by the EYF in Georgia, the Czech Republic and Cyprus.

The activities were dedicated to anti-discrimination, social inclusion and diversity, and young people’s participation for environmental protection.

On 5 September, the EYF held an information session in Brussels on grant applications and reporting. More than 30 international youth NGOs and networks had the opportunity to meet and exchange with the EYF. The meetings were organised in co-operation with the European Youth Forum.

1 October is the next deadline for applying for EYF grants 2020 for International Activities, annual Work Plans and Structural Grants. The application procedure for Structural Grants was upgraded – check the application tools! EYF wishes good luck to everyone applying.
Upcoming activities
  • 30 September-5 October, European Youth Centre Budapest, a study session with the Erasmus Student Network AISBL (ESN): ‘’ESNgender check-up’’
  • 30 September – 4 October, European Youth Centre Budapest, a study session with Phiren Amenca International Network: ‘’ Volunteering as a Tool for Roma Participation’’
  • 6-12 October, Vadu lu Voda, Republic of Moldova, a Long-Term Training Course for Youth Workers on Human Rights Education
  • 7-12 October, European Youth Centre Budapest, a study session in cooperation with the NOW Association: ‘’ Exploring the inclusion of young refugees in Europe: A toolkit for inclusive practices’’
  • 7-10 October, European Youth Centre Budapest, a study session in cooperation with the International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth- MIJARC Europe and Don Bosco Youth-Net: ‘’I, Youth Advocate’’
  • 14-16 October, CMJ, CDEJ and CCJ meetings at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg
  • 21-26 October, European Youth Centre Strasbourg, a study session in cooperation with the Federation of Young European Greens: ‘’ Actions Speak Louder Than Words - Youth Engagement, Grassroots Activism and the Future of Democracy’’
  • 21-26 October, European Youth Centre Strasbourg, a study session in cooperation with 18 organisations related to the No Hate Speech Movement Campaign: ‘’ No Hate Speech Movement Study session’’
Useful links
The CoE Directorate General Democracy
The CoE Youth Portal
European Youth Centre Budapest
European Youth Centre Strasbourg
European Youth Foundation
Intergovernmental Cooperation
The EU-CoE Youth Parthership
Facebook pages
Advisory Council on Youth
Council of Europe - Youth
European Youth Centre Budapest
EU-CoE youth partnership
European Youth Foundation
No Hate Speech Movement
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