The European Youth Conference "Youth in Local and Regional Life: Democracy in Action!" began this morning at the Braga Youth Centre, bringing together 150 youth leaders and representatives of local and regional authorities from across Europe.

This event is dedicated to the revision of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, a unique standard of the Council of Europe that strengthens the role of young people in renewing democracy at the local and regional levels. With the revision of the Charter, participants aim to ensure that youth perspectives are at the heart of decision-making in cities, municipalities, and regions, addressing the needs of younger generations and revitalising democracy.

Ahead of the event, Matjaž Gruden, Director for Democracy at the Council of Europe, stated: "Democracy is lived locally by most people. In many places, trust and engagement in democracy are declining, especially among young people. If we want to reverse this trend – and we must, if we care about the future of democracy – the local level is where we need to start."

The Mayor of Braga, Ricardo Rio, welcomed the participants, saying: "Braga is the oldest city in Portugal, but also one of the youngest, with 40% of the population under 30 years old. It is, therefore, a great pleasure and honour to host this European Youth Conference and to welcome so many young people committed to the future of democracy. The quality label awarded to the Braga Youth Centre by the Council of Europe recognises the ongoing efforts to provide excellent spaces for youth participation."

He added: "There is no better way to begin the revision of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life than here, in a city that believes in and invests in youth engagement in building the future."

Luis Guedes, representing the Braga Municipal Youth Council, joined the mayor on stage, reminding the audience of this inspiring model of youth consultation and involvement in the municipality.

Véronique Bertholle, spokesperson for the Congress on Youth, emphasised the importance of equal opportunities in youth participation: "Only by ensuring equal access to information, education, and opportunities for today’s youth can they become fulfilled adults and engaged citizens tomorrow. Healthy and innovative democracies – democracies in action – need this."

Nina Grmuša, Chair of the Joint Council on Youth, encouraged participants to take ownership of the revised Charter: "We must make the Charter the standard for youth participation – a Council of Europe norm that must be brought to the local and regional levels in all member states. It is up to us, young people, and our municipal authorities to bring the Charter to life, as we aspire to live democracy in action in our villages, towns, and cities. The Charter will enable us to practice policymaking and decision-making that includes young people and their perspectives."

Over the next few days, participants in the European Youth Conference in Braga will debate and contribute to the revision of the European Charter on Youth Participation, through working sessions and presentations led by experts from the Council of Europe. The programme includes practical activities, such as guided tours to explore local youth initiatives, an artistic performance on human rights, and networking opportunities, including a dinner at Bom Jesus and a closing party at Setra Bar.

Portugal’s Minister for Youth and Modernisation, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, will address conference participants in a session dedicated to participation and solidarity. The Minister will also inaugurate the photographic exhibition "Between Light and Darkness", featuring works by Konstantin and Vlad Liberovih and Yurka Dyachyshyn, opening on Thursday, 6 February, at 8:00 PM at Forum Braga.

Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Andriy Chesnokov, along with representatives from Lviv, will also take part in the conference session dedicated to solidarity with Ukraine and the LVIV - European Youth Capital 2025 process.

The Braga Youth Conference is the largest gathering of young people and local authorities in 2025, anchoring youth perspectives in the Council of Europe’s work on local and regional democracy. The event is co-organised by the Council of Europe’s Youth Department and the Braga Youth Centre, in partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the Municipality of Braga, the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth, and the European Youth Forum.

By hosting this event, the Braga Youth Centre – holder of the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres since April 2024 – demonstrates the impact of investing in spaces of excellence for youth participation, training, and empowerment.