The Council of Europe Youth Department organised an intensive training course addressing the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), human rights, and democracy. Designed for youth workers and activists, the programme aimed to deepen participants' understanding of AI technologies and their societal impact.

Participants engaged in workshops and discussions exploring how AI affects democratic processes and fundamental rights. The training also equipped them with practical tools to support young people in their communities and to develop local initiatives in response to AI-related challenges.

The training course emphasised the need for updated AI regulations rooted in human rights principles and introduced participants to the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence.

Organised in co-operation with Connect International, Curiosité Centre de formation and Metamorphois Foundation, this study session aimed to kick-start a conversation on AI ethics within youth organisations and support the development of human rights-based internal standards for using AI tools in their work.

The session highlighted the importance of safeguarding the rights of young people and preparing youth actors to navigate this evolving landscape responsibly. It also encouraged alignment with the principles of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence. The session objectives were to strengthen awareness and responsible use of AI tools in everyday youth work; to support youth organisations in becoming advocates and educators on AI ethics, and deepen understanding of the EU AI Act and Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI to help address discrimination risks linked to AI deployment.

In an era of rapid digital transformation, young people are not only enthusiastic users of technology but also key stakeholders in shaping the future of democracy, human rights, and digital security.

As the digital environment becomes more complex, young people face significant challenges, particularly in relation to cybercrime, where they are often both victims and, at times, unwitting perpetrators.

To address these critical issues, the Youth Department of the Council of Europe and representatives of the European Youth Forum, took part in a dedicated workshop on 'Youth and Cybercrime' as part of the Octopus Conference on Cybercrime 2025. ; the workshop gathered over 60 participants from across the globe, representing youth organisations, civil society, national youth councils and national authorities.

To mark the World Refugee Day, the Council of Europe Youth Department organised the seminar “Supporting Young Refugees: The Next Chapter” to spotlight the challenges faced by young refugees as they transition to adulthood, and to review and reinforce the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)4 on Supporting Young Refugees in Transition to Adulthood, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 24 April 2019.

It brought together practitioners, experts, youth workers, and representatives from civil-society and refugee-led organisations from 20 Council of Europe member states. The seminar forms part of the Council of Europe’s wider efforts under its Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum (2021–2025) and builds on initiatives like the Turning 18 with Confidence guide.

The Council of Europe work in Ukraine in time of the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was presented at the 4th European Youth Work Convention in Malta.

Representatives from various European countries explored the resources, results and challenges of the first of its kind trauma informed youth work programme. The programme has been developed and implemented in Ukraine since 2022 as a response to the needs of youth workers and young people in time of the war; it includes a manual for the training course on trauma informed youth work, the trainings of trainers, the specialised training “Trauma Informed Youth Work” within the state programme “Youth Worker”.