The Youth Innovating Democracy Manifesto places Youth Information at the heart of Europe’s democratic future

2026

The Youth Innovating Democracy Manifesto places Youth Information at the heart of Europe’s democratic future

“Youth-led participation tools must be developed to improve access to democratic information, while community-based media literacy and fact-checking networks must be established to empower young people to combat disinformation through education and civic engagement”.

Point 5 of the Youth Innovating Democracy Manifesto is addressed to young people across Europe, but it has a clear protagonist: youth information workers. Created by 120 young leaders, activists and representatives of youth organisations from across Europe gathered at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg from 24 to 26 June 2026 for the Youth Innovating Democracy event, the document reinforces, once again, the role of access to information, media literacy and the fight against disinformation as pillars of Europe’s future.

The manifesto addresses issues such as housing, the job market, digital participation, gender equality, and youth representation, all of which intersect with the work of youth information workers across Europe. It also develops a vision for 2049, when the Council of Europe will celebrate its centenary.

The aim of the manifesto’s recommendations is to translate them into concrete action by finalising the New Democratic Pact for Europe, a strategic political initiative launched by the Council to counter democratic backsliding, rising authoritarianism, and public distrust across its 46 member states.

At the same time, the manifesto is a valuable advocacy tool for ERYICA members, who can use it to demonstrate the importance of youth information as a transversal tool for addressing the challenges facing our continent. As the manifesto says: “We have found hope in uncertainty. Because when the future is not yet defined, it can still be changed.”

You can read more about it here.