Activity objectives

This activity builds on the training course in Bucharest (1-5 June 2026) and the spring webinar series on inclusive youth participation organised by SALTO I&D and SALTO P&I. While the training and the webinars were mostly focused on barriers and tools/methodologies for democratic participation of young people with fewer opportunities, the study visit aims to shift from conceptual understanding to practical application. Antwerp provides a strong ecosystem of organisations and initiatives showcasing inclusive youth participation, particularly with young people facing socio-economic barriers, migration backgrounds, and other forms of exclusion.

The study visit will allow participants to experience practices first-hand, to reflect on them, and explore how to transfer them into their own contexts.

The study visit aims to:

• Facilitate exchange with practitioners and local organisations from Antwerp, and to
• Explore practical approaches and diverse methods to inclusive democratic participation, such as digital media and storytelling, grassroots and community-led initiatives, dialogue and policy engagement, youth representation, civic education, digital participation, participatory budgeting, and advocacy campaigns 

This study visit  is part of a long-term project on inclusive democratic participation, therefore participants are expected not only to benefit individually but also to contribute to the broader, long-term impact of this initiative. After the study visit, participants are expected to integrate inclusive participation approaches into their ongoing youth work practice and transfer and adapt the tools and methodologies within their organisations and local contexts, as well as to develop partnership-building and project development (Erasmus+/ESC). Priority will be given to applicants who have participated in the training course that took place in Bucharest on 1-5 June 2026.

Description

Background and Rationale

Despite the increasing attention to youth participation in democratic processes and decision-making promoted by Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, many young people with fewer opportunities - due to social, economic, cultural, geographical, or educational barriers - remain underrepresented and unheard. 

For example, as indicated by the YPS monitoring (Dr. Dan Moxon, YPS Steering group, 2024), between 2021 and 2023, only 9.8% of participants in E+ Youth projects with participation themes were young people with fewer opportunities (YPFO) (considerably lower than the 30% of estimated participants in E+ Youth KA1 activities who are YPFO). 

Youth workers, educators, and trainers are key actors in supporting these young people, but they often lack practical tools and knowledge to address the specific challenges these youth face when engaging in democratic life.

This study visit is part of a long-term project organised by SALTO Inclusion & Diversity and SALTO Participation & Information, which aims to strengthen competences to design and facilitate inclusive, accessible, and meaningful democratic participation processes with diverse groups of young people.

What do we mean by democratic participation?

The Youth Participation Strategy defines Democratic Participation as: Individual young people and groups of young people having the right, the means, the space, the opportunity and, where necessary, the support to freely express their views, contribute to and influence societal decision making on matters affecting them, and be active within the democratic and civic life of our communities. 

In simple terms that can mean: all the ways young people can influence decisions and shape the communities they live in. 

Democratic participation goes far beyond voting. In youth work, it can also mean:

• Co-designing projects and activities
• Participating in youth councils or consultations
• Engaging in advocacy and community campaigns
• Using digital tools, storytelling or arts to express views
• Taking part in civic dialogue with decision-makers
• Contributing to participatory budgeting or shared governance in organisations

Democratic participation also happens in everyday youth work practice - when young people help set group rules, share decision-making power, and reflect critically on issues affecting their lives.