Applications are now open for the European Union (EU) Young Delegates program, an initiative of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe under the resolution “Rejuvenating Politics” (Rejuvenate politics). Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 living in one of the Council of Europe member states can compete until December 15th.
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is an assembly designed to promote local democracy and regional. With two annual sessions, which will take place next year between March 31st and April 2nd (50th session) and between October 27th and 29th (51st session), in Strasbourg, Congress reserves places for a young person from each Member State who is willing to present their views and debate ideas with the other congressmen.
The future delegate must have good public speaking skills, be able to prepare short speeches and analyze documents, be fluent in English and be directly involved in the work of the Congress. In this sense, between the March and October sessions, young delegates will have to develop a local or regional project in their respective States, related to a topic under debate.
Young delegates at the 47th edition of the Congress
Candice Imbert
“By inviting young people from all Member States to participate in the initiative, Congress aims to give them an opportunity to express their views directly to local and regional representatives, ensuring that youth perspectives are heard and promoting the participation of younger people in both international and national democratic processes”, reads the statement released online.
How to apply?
Application can be made through platform online until December 15th at 11:59 pm and must be accompanied by a short video (up to 30 seconds) in which the candidate answers the question “Imagine that you were selected to be one of the 46 young delegates to Congress in 2026. What are your expectations and what would you like to learn from this experience?”.
Delegates are then selected by a panel of judges and informed by February 10th of their decision. Travel, subsistence and accommodation costs are covered by the Congress and the organization.
Text written by André Sousa and edited by Pedro Miguel Coelho