Expressing support for the safeguarding and expansion of united nations youth delegate programmes globally
The European Youth Forum's member organisations are troubled by recent developments surrounding the withdrawal of funds for United Nations Youth Delegate programmes across various European countries. Beyond the funding difficulties, several UN Youth Delegate programmes around Europe now also face a challenge to their legitimacy. In certain countries, the government is finding ways to work around the National Youth Councils and operate programmes through alternative organisations.
As a platform built in part by the collective strength of National Youth Councils, the European Youth Forum denounces this effort and calls on governments to integrate National Youth Councils and not sideline them into irrelevance.
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.