Safeguarding young people's civic space
Freedom of information and expression is essential to our democracies.
Through civil society, we are able to come together, share interests, concerns and ideas. Collectively, we can help shape the world we live in.
However, civil society organisations, including youth organisations, can also face serious obstacles in their work. Some even experience or fear retribution from their governments when expressing their views.
The European Youth Forum will always defend the right of civil society to create vibrant and open spaces where people can have their voices heard. Youth organisations are invaluable for society and they must be allowed to flourish!
What needs to happen?
Governments must guarantee a strong civic space for young people, in which youth organisations can operate autonomously and free from any interference and retribution.
Young people’s civic and political rights must be safeguarded by institutions and governments.
- Governments must be held accountable for infringements on civic space for young people.
Our must read!
When we speak out, self-organise and participate in public decision-making online and offline, we make use of civic spaces.
However, civil society organisations are facing increasing challenges to operate or even to express their views out of fear of retribution.
In the Position Paper on Safeguarding Civic Space for Young People in Europe we outline these challenges and our recommendations to tackle them.
Related news
The protection of youth rights and support of young political prisoners of Belarus
The European Youth Forum recognises the urgent need to protect youth rights and support young political prisoners in Belarus, stands in solidarity with RADA and pledges to support their efforts.
European Youth Forum priorities: Defence of Democracy package
The Defence of Democracy package serves as an opportunity to safeguard democracy and overall civic space in the EU. However, the package’s potential ‘foreign interference’ directive has raised concerns among civil society across the European continent. The European Youth Forum has put forward the following priorities in response to the process.