NextGen Europe: From Youth Democratic Blueprints to Policy Mainstreaming

2026-07-22

Eurobarometer on Youth and Democracy (2022) suggests that only 18% of youth aged 15–24 feel their voice is considered in political decision-making. “NextGen Europe: From Youth Democratic Blueprints to Policy Mainstreaming” is a 2-year FPA (2026–2027) coordinated by Out of the Box International, a European network of 34 Member Organisations in 26 European countries. The project aims to strengthen youth participation in democratic life and support mainstreaming of “youth priorities” into public policy at local, national, and EU levels. NEXTGEN focuses on five strategic objectives: raising awareness of EU Youth Strategy and Youth Goals, building capacity of youth practitioners, enhancing youth alternative democracies, fostering cross-sectoral cooperation, and ensuring long-term sustainability and policy integration. Activities are structured around three pillars—Alternative Democracies, Social Cohesion, Mental Health, and Cross-Cutting Topics (including Sustainability, Social Entrepreneurship, and Human AI). 64 activities (36 offline and 28 online) will be implemented, engaging 1,890 participants—270 young people, 1,215 youth practitioners, and 405 policymakers—and reaching approximately 213,460 stakeholders and members of the general public online. Key outputs include factsheets, publications, training and networking activities, EU advocacy proposals, campaigns, and exhibitions. NEXTGEN contributes directly to EU Youth Strategy, Erasmus+ objectives, and broader EU policy frameworks, including Pact for Skills, Union of Skills and Mental Health Strategy; for youth - Youth Agenda, Youth Goals and YAP, and contribute to shaping programs within new MFF. Through structured governance, expert involvement, and evidence-based outputs, it seeks to create cross-sectorial learning spaces where young people, youth practitioners and policy makers work together in understanding, developing and putting in practice new, innovative policy mechanisms for NEXTGEN across Eur

Belgium

2025-10-01