Joint Declaration of the 22nd edition of the University on Youth and Development 23 September 2023, Mollina, Spain
Since the year 2000, the University on Youth and Development (UYD) has served as an international hub for meetings, youth advocacy and exchange of good practices. For a week each year, it brings together hundreds of young people, youth workers, decision-makers, experts from the field and institutional representatives. This gathering provides themes with a space to meet, debate, build their capacities and cooperate on youth policy issues. The UYD is conceived as a platform to experience intercultural dialogue while debating the most pressing issues of the global youth movement.
Following the 22nd edition of the UYD, which focused on the theme “Young people, peace and climate change”, the Council of Members of the European Youth Forum adopted the recommendations that resulted from the 22nd edition of the UYD.
Related publications
![](https://www.youthforum.org/files/_660x371_crop_center-center_82_line/Youth-organisations-across-Europe_overview.png 660w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_1320x742_crop_center-center_61_line/Youth-organisations-across-Europe_overview.png 1320w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_440x247_crop_center-center_82_line/Youth-organisations-across-Europe_overview.png 440w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_880x495_crop_center-center_61_line/Youth-organisations-across-Europe_overview.png 880w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_375x210_crop_center-center_60_line/Youth-organisations-across-Europe_overview.png 375w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_750x421_crop_center-center_45_line/Youth-organisations-across-Europe_overview.png 750w)
The situation of youth organisations across Europe
Youth Organisations across Europe are facing an increasingly challenging situation. Political and economic circumstances are leading to shrinking civic spaces and therefore a shrinking chance of youth organisations to fulfil their purpose and represent the voice of young people. Read the motion to find out which of the European Youth Forum's members have been impacted and how, as well as what we commit to internally as part of our Strategic Plan and what we call for externally.
![](https://www.youthforum.org/files/_660x371_crop_center-center_82_line/Civic-spaces-Georgia_overview.png 660w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_1320x742_crop_center-center_61_line/Civic-spaces-Georgia_overview.png 1320w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_440x247_crop_center-center_82_line/Civic-spaces-Georgia_overview.png 440w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_880x495_crop_center-center_61_line/Civic-spaces-Georgia_overview.png 880w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_375x210_crop_center-center_60_line/Civic-spaces-Georgia_overview.png 375w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_750x421_crop_center-center_45_line/Civic-spaces-Georgia_overview.png 750w)
Protecting civil society and civic spaces in Georgia
In March 2023, the Government of Georgia initiated work on a legislative proposal on “foreign agents” that would have forced civil society organisations to be registered as being under foreign influence should they be receiving funding from sources outside of the country. As Georgia initiated negotiations for EU membership merely 6 months ago, this underscores how fragile Democracy and the Rule of Law are in our societies and how civic spaces must be protected tirelessly every day, everywhere.
![](https://www.youthforum.org/files/_660x371_crop_center-center_82_line/Defending-Democracy-and-European-Values_overview.png 660w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_1320x742_crop_center-center_61_line/Defending-Democracy-and-European-Values_overview.png 1320w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_440x247_crop_center-center_82_line/Defending-Democracy-and-European-Values_overview.png 440w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_880x495_crop_center-center_61_line/Defending-Democracy-and-European-Values_overview.png 880w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_375x210_crop_center-center_60_line/Defending-Democracy-and-European-Values_overview.png 375w, https://www.youthforum.org/files/_750x421_crop_center-center_45_line/Defending-Democracy-and-European-Values_overview.png 750w)
Empowering Youth Voices: Defending Democracy and European Values
We cannot deny the European Union and its values are facing threats from both inside and outside. The European Youth Forum is committed to actively speaking out against these threats and protecting the values of intercultural understanding, democracy, respect, diversity, human rights, active citizenship, and solidarity.