The Summit for Democracy Youth Participation Cohort Handbook serves as an inspiration for youth organizations and democracy organizations seeking to strengthen young people’s voices in democratic processes; their understanding of democratic principles; diversity and inclusion within youth groups; and support young people, youth organizations, and youth movements in reimagining a more robust, inclusive, effective, transparent, accountable, and equitable form of democracy – one that works for young people.

As part of the Youth Cohort’s leadership group, the European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN) and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) have spearheaded the creation of the Cohort’s Youth Participation Handbook.

The Handbook contains 24 case studies from our Cohort members from 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe where youth movements, networks, governments, and not-for-profit organizations working to empower youth share their best practices on how to effectively drive youth political and civic engagement across different countries, sectors, socio-political contexts, economic conditions, and local needs.

Through the Handbook, the Summit for Democracy Youth Participation Cohort also offers an evidence base for policy solutions to democratic governments that want to empower youth political and civic representation and address barriers to meaningful youth political participation.

The enabling factors identified by organizations from Costa Rica through Denmark all the way to Malaysia showcase how governments can create the right conditions for youth participation initiatives to thrive and succeed. Only with innovative policy solutions paralleling young people’s creativity can democracies create the right enabling environment for young people to participate actively in public affairs