Promoting youth participation in democracy and countering shrinking space for youth civil society is a shared priority for both the European Commission and the Council of Europe. In recent years, Europe has witnessed a concerning trend of shrinking civic space, with increasing restrictions on the activities of civil society organizations, notably those led by young people.

In 2024-2025, Youth Partnership is conducting research on young people engaging in democracy within the context of shrinking civic space. The study includes qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis on trends and priorities of young people’s participation in the context of shrinking space and growing populism, and present recommendations for policy making and youth work practice.

The study will build on the Youth Partnership’s existing knowledge and share new research on the topic of youth political participation, including shrinking space for civil society, gender, digitalisation, new forms of participation, participation in climate movements, EU Youth Dialogue, and impact of Covid-19 on youth spaces.

The survey is now open until 15 December to all youth organisations or informal group of young people in the Council of Europe’s member states, Kazakhstan, and the Holy See.

Find the survey here.