Congress of Local & Regional Authorities focuses on European Youth Capital

The European Youth Forum held a reception focused on the European Youth Capital at the final evening (October 15th) of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities last night. European Youth Forum board member Márcio Barcelos attended the Strasbourg Congress from October 13-16th as part of a youth delegation of over 40 members, discussing the theme of “Empowering Youth – Shared responsibilities for cities and regions”.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is an endorsing partner of the European Youth Forum’s ‘European Youth Capital’ (EYC) title, which is granted to a different European city each year. During an EYC year, the host city holds events and projects designed to demonstrate the active, essential role that young people and youth organisations can (and do) play in society.

This year’s capital is Thessaloniki, Greece, and the EYC is celebrating its five-year anniversary. European Youth Forum representatives attended this week’s Congress to promote the EYC and highlight how it can work to foster youth participation at the local, regional and European levels. An information stand was available for delegates for the duration of the Congress, and last night’s reception expanded on the EYC’s role in developing active citizenship and participation.

Speaking at the reception, European Youth Forum board member Márcio Barcelos emphasised the need for cooperation between the Congress and the Youth Forum, as they pursue the same crucial goal of increased youth participation at all levels. Vice-Mayor of Ganja, Azerbaijan (European Youth Capital 2016) Mikayil Zeynalov addressed the reception via video message, and argued that the EYC was more than just a title, but also a means to “create a model for European Cities and regions to pursue regarding the implementation of youth policies at the local level”. Jean-Claude Frécon (President of the Congress) and Andras Farkas (Executive Director of the Network of EYCs) also spoke, and stressed the importance of youth participation.

You can read more about the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities here.