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- Braga Youth Centre welcomes the approval of the revised version of the European Charter on Youth Participation
Braga Youth Centre welcomes the approval of the revised version of the European Charter on Youth Participation
The Braga Youth Centre (CJB) expresses its pride in the approval of the revised text of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, recently validated by the Social Inclusion Committee of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
This key European instrument, which will now be submitted for adoption at the plenary session of the Congress in October, underwent a participatory revision process that included the organisation of the European Youth Conference – “Young People in Local and Regional Life: Democracy in Action!” – held at the CJB from 5 to 7 February 2025. The event gathered more than 100 youth representatives and local authorities from Council of Europe member states, serving as a space for dialogue, reflection, and proposals regarding the future of democratic youth participation.
The CJB is honoured to have hosted this pivotal moment in the revision process, allowing young people, civil society organisations, and public authorities to actively contribute to the updating of the Charter. The new version reinforces the fundamental principles of youth participation as a human right and a cornerstone of democracy, while also highlighting the importance of the ecosystem that supports it — from legal and policy frameworks to training, funding, and the recognition of youth work and youth-led spaces.
For the Braga Youth Centre, this approval represents the culmination of a collective and inclusive effort, but also marks the beginning of a new phase of concrete implementation, aligned with the principles now reaffirmed. The Charter holds particular significance in today’s context, where restoring trust between young people and democratic institutions is both urgent and necessary.
As noted by Aida Karimli, the Congress rapporteur, during the Committee session: “Youth participation is NOT a tool. Youth participation is a core principle of democracy.”
The CJB reaffirms its commitment to promoting active and meaningful youth participation, both locally and internationally, and remains available to continue serving as a platform for the development of inclusive and democratic public policies, responsive to the challenges of new generations.
Braga Youth Centre
Located a few minutes walking from the Historic Centre of the city, Braga's Youth Centre is a multipurpose space that offers versatile and confortable accommodations, suitable for every age group.
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