Local youth councils: Mapping practices

An analysis of the different models and structures of local youth councils in Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, and Portugal, examining their national contexts and specific municipal case studies.

The publication addresses the gap between the fundamental right to participate and the actual inclusion of young people in decision-making. It identifies LYCs as having dual dimensions — pedagogical (learning to participate) and civic/democratic (influencing real policy). The research utilizes quantitative questionnaires and qualitative interviews to gather perspectives from both youth members and decision-makers/youth workers.

It serves as a benchmarking tool for practitioners and policymakers seeking to improve or establish youth participation structures. By detailing specific examples like the Youth Council of Herstal (Belgium) or Santa Maria da Feira (Portugal), the document highlights how factors like legal frameworks, dedicated budgets, and clear internal procedures directly impact the effectiveness and perceived value of youth participation.

It serves as an operational handbook for a wide range of actors, including LYC members, youth workers, policy-makers, and researchers. By guiding users through the rating scale (Not at all, Partially, Fully, or N/A) and encouraging ""Notes to self"" for reflection, the guide transforms the Charter from a static document into a dynamic tool for long-term strategic improvement of youth participation in decision-making.

Source: DYPALL Network
Language: English

Author: Anna Rita Parisi, Carolina Loureiro, and Mafalda Ferreira.

Year of publication: 2022