In recent years, bridging the gap between young people and policymakers has
become a central focus for fostering inclusive, forward-thinking communities.
Recognizing the importance of youth voices in shaping policies that impact
their futures, GEYC has implemented numerous initiatives aimed at creating
structured opportunities for young people to engage directly with
policymakers—local administration officials, mayors, Members of Parliament,
and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Through these dialogues, young people have gained insight into the
decision-making process, shared their perspectives on pressing issues, and
contributed to shaping policies that address their needs and aspirations.
1. The importance of youth-policymaker dialogue
In an increasingly complex world, where decisions made by policymakers
directly affect the lives and futures of young people, it has become essential
to include youth perspectives in governance processes. Engaging young people
in dialogue with policymakers not only ensures that policies are more relevant
and inclusive but also builds a foundation of mutual understanding and
collaboration between generations. GEYC has championed this approach,
believing that involving youth in civic discussions enhances their sense of
belonging and responsibility within their communities, while also providing
valuable insights for policymakers.
Youth-policymaker dialogue opens a two-way communication channel: young people
can express their ideas, concerns, and innovative solutions, while
policymakers gain a clearer picture of the evolving priorities and challenges
faced by younger generations. This dialogue fosters accountability,
transparency, and a sense of shared purpose, as youth learn about the
realities of governance and policymakers become more attuned to the specific
needs of their communities.
At GEYC, we see youth as essential partners in shaping the future, and we aim
to create platforms where young people can interact directly with
decision-makers. By supporting structured discussions with local
administration officials, mayors, Members of Parliament, and Members of the
European Parliament, we encourage youth to become active participants in the
democratic process. This involvement empowers them to advocate for their
communities, influence policy with fresh ideas, and, ultimately, pave the way
for a more inclusive, representative, and forward-thinking society.
2. Highlights: youth-policymaker engagement in action
GEYC’s projects have facilitated impactful dialogues between young people and
policymakers, creating valuable spaces for youth to voice their ideas,
concerns, and solutions on important issues. These initiatives, spanning both
local and European levels, offer structured formats that make youth input a
key component in shaping policy discussions. Below are highlights of two
significant projects that exemplify GEYC’s commitment to youth-policymaker
engagement.
Since its inception in 2015, the GenerationEU: Promotori ai democrației europene project has aimed to increase civic engagement among Romanian youth by promoting European democratic values in local communities. Initiated by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Romania, the project targets young people aged 18-30 who are EU citizens or residents involved in youth organizations, student associations, or informal groups working with young people. GEYC has been a dedicated partner of GenerationEU since its first edition, contributing to its mission to foster civic responsibility and community engagement among youth.
Each year, 30 young ambassadors are selected from across Romania, eager to promote democracy and European values through individual communication actions in their communities. With support from their organizations, these ambassadors engage local youth in discussions on democracy, encouraging them to join the pan-European community impreuna-in.eu, which aims to connect young Europeans around shared values and goals.
Key stages of the project that facilitate meaningful dialogue between youth and policymakers include the European Democracy Forum and a study visit to Brussels:
- European Democracy Forum: Held annually in Bucharest, this forum showcases the results and impact of the ambassadors' communication actions. The event also features debates between Romanian Members of the European Parliament and youth organizations on topics relevant to the youth sector, providing a platform for young people to voice their concerns and ideas directly to policymakers.
- Study Visit to Brussels: Selected ambassadors have the opportunity to visit the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels, where they engage in discussions with Romanian MEPs. These dialogues cover the roles and responsibilities of MEPs and allow young people to debate current issues, gaining deeper insights into European policymaking and the democratic process.
The Moving Europe Together (MEET) project was a cornerstone initiative aimed
at engaging EU citizens in shaping the future of the European Union. Co-funded
by the European Parliament and the King Baudouin Foundation, and coordinated
by the European Policy Centre, MEET united civil society organizations across
eight EU member states. This project aligned with the Conference on the Future
of Europe, serving as a platform to connect people, ideas, and policies across
the EU.
In its series of events, MEET organized interactive sessions where young
people could discuss critical topics directly with MEPs and other
decision-makers. Each event guided participants through a deliberative
process, alternating between group work and plenary discussions, to collect
recommendations on how policymakers should address pressing issues.
Focused on the theme of the green economy, Local Agora #1 hosted discussions
on economic sustainability with European Parliament Members Siegfried Mureșan
and Iuliu Winkler. Through this dialogue, youth participants provided their
perspectives on the green economy’s future, discussing topics like sustainable
development, climate action, and resource efficiency. In Local Agora #2, the
focus shifted to digital transformation, with MEPs Alin Mituța, Victor
Negrescu, and Dragoș Pîslaru joining the conversation. These discussions
addressed challenges and opportunities in digitalization, particularly how
digital tools could benefit future generations in terms of skills, employment,
and access to information.
A national event with MEP Dacian Cioloș further expanded the dialogue, giving
young people a voice in a more extensive national debate about Europe’s
future. Through MEET, participants gained the chance to express their opinions
to key decision-makers, influencing European policy discourse on critical
issues relevant to the next generation.
Another significant project that fostered youth engagement with policymakers
was emPOWER YOUth in Câmpina, a project that addressed the need for young
people’s participation in local decision-making processes. The project focused
on developing youth ambassadors’ critical thinking and advocacy skills, with
activities including capacity-building workshops, regular meetings with
Câmpina’s local administration, and a study visit to Ankara.
Through this structured dialogue, ten youth ambassadors worked on creating a
youth strategy tailored to Câmpina’s specific needs, touching on themes like
education, environment, and community engagement. By collaborating with local
authorities, these young people learned about the policymaking process
firsthand, gaining experience in presenting their recommendations and refining
their advocacy skills. This approach empowered youth to take an active role in
shaping policies that affect their city and created a model for ongoing
youth-administration collaboration.
The Constanța pentru TINEri project mobilized a group of 30 young people from diverse communities across Constanța County, empowering them with the skills and knowledge to advocate for dedicated youth spaces in their localities. Through targeted workshops and advocacy activities, these young participants gained essential tools to effectively lobby local authorities, making the case for spaces that foster youth engagement and development.
A significant focus of Constanța pentru TINEri was equipping youth with the confidence and strategies needed to engage with policymakers in advocating for community spaces tailored to young people’s needs. Key steps in the project included:
- Communication and visibility actions: Campaigns were organized to raise public awareness about the importance of youth spaces and to enhance the visibility of the participants' advocacy efforts throughout Constanța County. These campaigns emphasized the value of dedicated spaces for youth development and community involvement.
- Advocacy activities by participants: Armed with new skills, each participant returned to their community to engage with local decision-makers and advocate for youth-dedicated spaces. This grassroots approach encouraged young people to establish meaningful connections with local authorities, building a foundation for collaborative, youth-centered urban planning.
- Brussels Study Visit: The project also featured a study visit to Brussels, where participants engaged in a roundtable discussion with Members of the European Parliament and visited a youth center, gaining valuable insights into successful youth initiatives across Europe.
3. Empowering youth voices: skills and confidence
One of the most powerful outcomes of these dialogues between young people and
policymakers has been the boost in skills and confidence among youth
participants. Engaging in direct discussions with officials, such as Members
of the European Parliament, mayors, and local administrators, gave young
people a platform to articulate their ideas and develop advocacy skills in a
real-world context. Projects like MEET and emPOWER YOUth in Câmpina were
designed not only to provide access to policymakers but also to equip youth
with critical skills in public speaking, teamwork, and informed debate.
For many participants, these experiences marked their first opportunity to
speak openly on issues affecting their futures and to advocate for the change
they wish to see. Through group discussions, deliberative sessions, and
plenary interactions with policymakers, they gained confidence in navigating
complex topics and articulating thoughtful responses. In emPOWER YOUth, the
youth ambassadors further developed their leadership and strategic thinking,
working collaboratively to draft a youth policy strategy. This empowerment
extended beyond individual skill-building; it fostered a mindset of proactive
civic engagement, as participants realized the real potential of their
contributions in shaping policies.
4. Policy changes and initiatives driven by youth perspectives
The tangible impact of these dialogues can be seen in the policy initiatives
influenced by youth contributions. By engaging directly with policymakers,
young people have helped shape local and European policy discussions on green
economy, digital transformation, youth spaces, and more. In the MEET project’s
Local Agora sessions, youth participants contributed recommendations on
sustainability and digitalization, which MEPs committed to consider in their
ongoing policy work. This format ensured that youth input was not only heard
but actively integrated into the decision-making processes at the European
level.
Locally, the emPOWER YOUth project in Câmpina exemplifies how structured youth
input can inform municipal policy. Through regular meetings with Câmpina’s
local administration, youth ambassadors presented their ideas on issues like
education, community spaces, and environmental initiatives. The collaborative
youth strategy created by these ambassadors was formally presented to the
local council, ensuring that youth perspectives were directly included in the
city’s policy planning. These projects demonstrated that youth engagement can
drive meaningful, practical changes, bridging the gap between policymakers and
the communities they serve.
5. Looking forward: future goals and expanding the dialogue
GEYC remains committed to expanding youth-policymaker dialogue, envisioning an
even broader platform for youth voices in policy discussions. By continuing to
foster local and European-level interactions, GEYC aims to establish
sustainable, long-term partnerships that integrate youth perspectives into
governance structures. Plans include further collaboration with municipal
administrations to implement structured youth policies, expanding initiatives
that connect youth with MEPs on emerging issues, and providing continuous
training in civic advocacy and digital engagement.
Future projects will also focus on broadening the scope of topics covered,
encouraging youth to engage with critical issues such as climate policy, human
rights, and economic innovation. These efforts aim to not only empower young
people to be informed advocates but to also nurture a generation of leaders
who are prepared to collaborate in shaping a sustainable, inclusive future for
all.
Through dedicated projects that bring youth into dialogue with policymakers,
GEYC has created impactful avenues for young people to contribute meaningfully
to civic and policy discussions. From local advocacy in Câmpina to influencing
European discussions in MEET, these initiatives have highlighted the
importance of youth perspectives in shaping policies that address both
immediate community needs and broader European challenges. By equipping young
people with critical skills, fostering connections with decision-makers, and
integrating youth input into tangible policies, GEYC has built a model of
youth engagement that empowers, inspires, and transforms.
Looking ahead, GEYC’s commitment to youth-policymaker dialogue underscores the
organization’s vision of a participatory society where young people are
recognized as active contributors to governance. Through ongoing projects and
expanding collaborations, GEYC aims to ensure that youth voices continue to
shape the policies that define their futures, cultivating a culture of
inclusion, innovation, and shared responsibility in Europe and beyond.
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