Empowering Youth: Connecting EU and Youth Through Dialogue and Information

ongoing

The present project proposal aims to present the Portuguese National Working Group’s work plan for implementing the 11th (January 2025–June 2026) and 12th (July 2026–December 2027) cycles of the EU Youth Dialogue. The first cycle will focus on Youth Goal 1, while we anticipate that the second cycle will address Youth Goals 4 and 9. Within this framework, we will structure the project around training our PoT, youth organizations, teachers, youth workers, and decision-makers on Youth Dialogue—its concept, methodology, and means of engagement. Specific training will also be provided to Youth Delegates in preparation for the EU Youth Conferences. The dialogue phases will include regional dialogues across Portugal’s districts and two archipelagos, five sessions with specific disadvantaged groups facilitated by our PoT, and local self-organized sessions. All inputs will be compiled into two national reports. These reports will also feature an implementation toolkit with practical examples and initiatives for local implementation (by schools, local councils, and youth organizations) and to inspire policy change. The implementation phases will be action-oriented, encouraging youth organizations, young people, youth workers, local and national decision-makers, schools, and policymakers to undertake initiatives that concretize the recommendations at the local level and report back on their implementation to the NWG. Based on the results of the dialogue phases, two thematic seminars will be organized to discuss priority recommendations. These seminars aim to connect various stakeholders who have developed or will develop initiatives aligned with the cycles’ objectives. For each cycle, advocacy meetings will be held with national and local stakeholders to advocate for policy changes informed by the Youth Dialogue outcomes.