Regional forum: Strengthening youth political participation

Young people want to help shape decisions that affect their lives. Yet many face barriers to taking part in politics, including limited access to decision-makers and insufficient opportunities to influence public policy.

The ODIHR Regional Youth Forum will bring together young leaders from the Eastern Partnership countries with parliamentarians, policymakers, political representatives, civil society and experts to explore practical ways to strengthen youth participation in political and democratic processes.

Through discussions and practical sessions, participants will share experiences, develop their proposals and identify opportunities to work together. Selected youth-led initiatives will form part of the programme, giving young leaders the opportunity to discuss their ideas directly with decision-makers.

The Forum will focus on initiatives addressing three themes:

1. Youth participation in political decision-making: Improving young people’s representation and opportunities to help shape public policy.
2. Youth engagement with political institutions: Strengthening dialogue and co-operation with parliaments, local authorities, political parties and other public institutions.
3. ⁠Inclusive political participation: Creating more opportunities for young women, rural youth, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups to take part in political life.

These initiatives will serve as practical examples throughout the Forum, helping participants explore solutions to shared challenges and learn from one another.

The three-day programme will combine plenary discussions, expert contributions, interactive sessions, side events and opportunities to build connections. Participants will examine trends and barriers to youth political participation and identify priorities for further work across the region.

Young leaders presenting selected initiatives will receive support through preparatory online sessions and a half-day workshop in Chișinău on 23 November, before the Forum opens. A follow-up discussion will help them reflect on feedback and plan their next steps.

The working language will be English.

The Forum is expected to bring together approximately 80 participants from the Eastern Partnership countries and the wider OSCE region.

Participants will include young leaders selected through an open call, parliamentarians, representatives of political parties and public institutions, youth and civil society organizations, international organizations, and academics and researchers.

For further information, please contact Dinara Dildabekova, ODIHR Associate Project Officer, at Dinara.Dildabekova@odihr.pl.