GEYC was represented at the international conference
“Shaping Democratic Renewal: Civic Space and the Path to a New Democratic Pact
for Europe”, organised by the Council of Europe and held in Strasbourg on
2–3 February 2026. The conference brought together representatives of European institutions,
national authorities, civil society organisations, and youth platforms to
reflect on the state of democracy in Europe and the role of civic space in
democratic renewal.
Civic space as democratic infrastructure
A central message emerging from the discussions was that civic space can no
longer be treated as a secondary or isolated policy area. Speakers repeatedly
stressed that civic space is a core condition for democracy itself,
rather than a complementary element.
Across panels, participants acknowledged that democracy in Europe has been
under pressure for decades, with recent developments intensifying longer-term
trends. In this context, civil society was described as an essential democratic
actor, yet one that is currently insufficiently protected and resourced to
withstand growing challenges.
From democratic anxiety to democratic capacity
Several discussions focused on the need to move beyond diagnosing democratic
shortcomings toward actively strengthening democratic capacity. This includes
investment in civic education, participation, and meaningful engagement
with civil society actors.
Rather than symbolic consultation, speakers emphasised the importance of
structured and well-resourced participation processes that lead to concrete
follow-up and accountability. This message was particularly prominent in
sessions addressing youth participation and democratic inclusion.
Youth participation beyond symbolism
Youth participation featured prominently throughout the conference. A
recurring concern was that young people are often invited to contribute to
democratic processes without being granted genuine influence over outcomes.
Contributions from youth platforms, including the European Youth Forum,
highlighted the need for participation mechanisms that move beyond visibility
and representation, and instead create clear pathways to impact,
decision-making, and long-term engagement.
Narratives, civic education, and inclusion
Another key theme was the role of narratives in shaping civic space. Restrictive
environments are created not only through legislation, but also through public
discourse that questions the legitimacy or value of civil society.
Strengthening civic space therefore also requires more effective storytelling,
public communication, and civic education.
Civic education was consistently framed as a long-term investment in
democratic resilience, particularly for younger generations, and as a key
instrument to counter democratic disengagement.
Looking ahead
The conference also addressed upcoming European-level initiatives, including
the development of a European Civil Society Platform. These processes aim to
strengthen the link between democracy policy and civic space protection, while
improving coordination and participation at European level.
GEYC’s participation in the conference contributed to ongoing reflection on
how youth-led organisations can engage meaningfully in democratic renewal
processes and how youth perspectives can be more effectively integrated into
policy discussions on civic space and democracy.