Governance and Youth in the Alps

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Many EU Countries encounter difficulties in traditional decision-making processes, both institutionally and regarding citizens’ behaviour. In reaction to economic restraints and more and more diverse societies, representative democracy needs to reconsider traditional concepts drawing from positive experiences of other Countries. This requires challenging consolidated approaches to democracy and devoting more attention to issues such as legitimization of decisions by means of citizens’ involvement. The Alpine region faces these challenges. Especially young people feel disconnected from Institutions and are reluctant to express their interests because they feel that their voice does not count. GaYA aims at increasing the quality of democracy in the Alpine area by enhancing the capacity of decision/policy-makers to involve youth as future leaders in democratic systems. GaYA will increase knowledge about and awareness of decision-making processes among political actors and youth (age 14-25). Youth that feel integral to these processes are more likely to remain in the territories. A common framework through a transnational integrated approach will offer guidelines to public Institutions that address their different needs, contexts, and topics. The outputs will therefore be applicable in the whole territory. Following a COMPARATIVE REPORT on participatory experiences in the Alps, decision/policy-makers and youth will develop Local Action Plans, which then come together in a transnational PARTICIPATION TOOLKIT of practical methods and tools.In a transnational creative youth Contest, the topic of Youth, Alps & Participation will be interpreted. Decision/policy-makers at all levels of government will benefit from these outputs and they will also be the recipients of final POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS. Youth will be involved through the contest and contribute through participatory activities to the debate, to better understand the complexity of decision-making processes.

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