Safeguarding Civic Space for Young People in Europe
By speaking out, gathering together online and offline, and by participating in public decision-making, individuals and communities use civic space to solve problems and improve lives. However, civil society organisations can often face serious obstacles in their work, some even experience or fear retribution from their governments when expressing their views.
This policy position details the key problems for youth civic spaces in Europe and highlights the demands of the Youth Forum to address them, in the following thematic areas:
• Rights, democracy and the rule of law
• Digitalisation
• Freedom of information and expression
• Freedom of assembly and association
• Funding for youth civil society
• Education and Youth Work
Related publications
The Protection of Youth Freedom of Expression and Solidarity with Enes
In February 2026, the main trial of Enes Hocaoğulları — a Youth Delegate to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe — will take place, following politically motivated charges related to his public statements delivered within an official Council of Europe setting.
Protecting civil society and civic spaces in Georgia
In March 2023, the Government of Georgia initiated work on a legislative proposal on “foreign agents” that would have forced civil society organisations to be registered as being under foreign influence should they be receiving funding from sources outside of the country. As Georgia initiated negotiations for EU membership merely 6 months ago, this underscores how fragile Democracy and the Rule of Law are in our societies and how civic spaces must be protected tirelessly every day, everywhere.
Youth Progress Index: Youth Progress and Civic Space
Civil society organisations play a critical role in amplifying the voices of marginalised and vulnerable groups, highlighting the key challenges they face and ensuring that their concerns reach diverse audiences. However, recent years have been marked by a disturbing trend of shrinking civic spaces, including those of youth organisations.