The Council of Europe Congress Youth Delegate Programme 2027 is a fully funded opportunity for young people aged 18–30 from the 46 Council of Europe member States to take part in the 52nd and 53rd Congress sessions in Strasbourg, France. As part of the Rejuvenating Politics initiative, selected youth delegates sit alongside elected representatives, bring youth perspectives to debates, and develop their own grassroots project at home. Travel, subsistence and accommodation are covered by the organisers.
Complete guide to the 2027 Congress Youth Delegates Programme, covering the programme overview, key responsibilities, eligibility criteria, benefits and funding, application procedure, selection process, important dates and contact details.
Quick Highlights: Council of Europe Congress Youth Delegate Programme 2027
Parameter
Details
Organization
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe
About the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
The Congress is the Council of Europe's political assembly dedicated to strengthening local and regional democracy and upholding human rights and the rule of law at grassroots level across its 46 member states. It brings together elected representatives from local and regional authorities, monitors the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, observes local and regional elections, and supports authorities in putting Council of Europe values into practice.
Area
Details
Full Name
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Parent Organisation
Council of Europe
Member States
46
Core Mandate
Strengthening local and regional democracy; upholding human rights and rule of law at grassroots level
Key Functions
Political dialogue forum; monitoring the European Charter of Local Self-Government; election observation; supporting authorities
Youth Initiative
Rejuvenating Politics initiative (youth delegates since October 2014)
Grassroots Projects Requirement
Since 2016, youth delegates develop their own local/regional projects between sessions
Contact Body
Table Office, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Contact Email
congress.youth@coe.int
Key Responsibilities of the Youth Delegate
Area
Responsibility
Session Participation
Sit in the hemicycle alongside Congress members during the 52nd session (23–25 March 2027) and 53rd session (26–28 October 2027) in Strasbourg, France
Preparatory Meetings
Attend a two-day preparatory meeting before each session to familiarise with the functioning of the Congress
Public Speaking and Analysis
Prepare short speeches and analyse policy documents; bring youth perspectives to Congress debates
Grassroots Project
Develop and implement a local or regional project between the March and October sessions, related to Congress priorities or thematic debates (e.g., conference, mobile app, school presentation, podcast)
Mentoring Sessions
Work with trainers to develop and assess project ideas through mentoring sessions and videoconference meetings (April–September)
Full Attendance
Attend all preparatory activities, both full sessions (including preparation days and evaluation meetings) and project meetings
Multiplier Role
Share information and experience gained on return home and promote the Congress's work
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Requirement
Details
Age
Between 18 and 30 years old on 31 December 2026
Residency and Passport
Live in and hold the passport of one of the 46 Council of Europe member States
Youth Work
Active in youth work at local and regional levels
Availability
Available to engage in the whole activity, including preparation of grassroots projects
Policy Interest
Interest in actively participating in policy-making at local and/or regional levels
Communication
Good writing and public speaking skills
Teamwork
Committed to working in an intercultural team
Language
Speak English fluently
Motivation
Open, committed and motivated to strengthen dialogue between young people and elected representatives
Multiplier Ability
Able to multiply the information obtained during the session on return home
Additional Skills That Strengthen an Application
Skill
Details
Public Speaking
Ability to prepare short speeches and express views in debates
Policy Analysis
Capability to analyse policy documents
Grassroots Project Design
Ability to develop and implement a local or regional project
Intercultural Teamwork
Commitment to working in a diverse, intercultural group
Youth Engagement
Experience in youth activism, youth work, student leadership or youth political leadership
Video Communication
Ability to answer a set question in a short video of no more than 30 seconds, preferably in English
Who Should Apply
Background
Details
Youth Activists
Yes
Youth Workers
Yes
Students
Yes
Youth Political Leaders
Yes
Young People Interested in Council of Europe Work
Yes
Young People Interested in Local and Regional Authorities
Yes
Elected Representatives (local, regional, national or European)
Not eligible
Previous Participants in the Initiative
Not eligible
Salary and Employment Benefits
Detail
Information
Funding Status
Fully funded
Travel Expenses
Covered by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities according to Council of Europe rules
Subsistence Expenses
Covered by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities according to Council of Europe rules
Accommodation
Provided and paid for by the organisers (single-occupancy or shared rooms according to availability)
Accommodation Note
Organisers cannot cover the cost of accommodation elsewhere
Project Funding
The Congress does not provide funding for project development
Project Support
Introduction letter to serve as a visiting card with local or regional authorities; information documents and other material if needed
Mentoring
Support of trainers to develop and assess project ideas through mentoring sessions
Networking
Part of a diverse group of young people; exchange with Congress members
Additional Events
Possible participation in committee meetings, seminars or conferences in or outside Strasbourg
Pre/Post-Session Dinners
Dinner organised before (20 March and 23 October 2027) and after (26 March and 28 October 2027) each session
Important Dates for the 2027 Youth Delegate Programme
Date
Event
30 November 2026, 23:59 CET
Application deadline (including short video); late applications not accepted
15 February 2027
Applicants informed of selection results
28 February 2027
Deadline for video to remain accessible to the selection panel
20 March 2027 (19.00)
Start of 52nd session participation (preparatory period)
23–25 March 2027
52nd Congress session, Strasbourg, France
25 March 2027 (17.00)
Debriefing session for 52nd session
April – Mid-September 2027
Implementation of grassroots project; videoconference meetings with trainers
23 October 2027 (19.00)
Start of 53rd session participation (preparatory period)
26–28 October 2027
53rd Congress session, Strasbourg, France
28 October 2027 (17.00)
Debriefing session for 53rd session
Compulsory Programme Activities
Activity
Details
Preparatory Activities
Participation in all preparatory activities with trainers, including possible online meetings, prior to each session
Full Session Attendance
Full attendance during both sessions, including preparation days on the eve of each session and the evaluation meeting on the last afternoon
Videoconference Meetings
Participation in several meetings via videoconference (April–September) with trainers to prepare the grassroots project
Project Implementation
Implementation of the project between April and mid-September 2027
Non-Compliance
Youth delegates who do not take part in one or more aspects will be replaced by their national substitute delegate
Session Flexibility
Participation in only one session is not possible
Application Procedure and Selection Process
Step
Action
1
Complete the online application form, which includes detailed questions and may take some time
2
Submit a short video of no more than 30 seconds, preferably in English, answering the question indicated in the application form
3
Ensure the video link title contains only the applicant's name and country, and send it together with the application
4
Keep the video accessible to the selection panel until 28 February 2027
5
Submit the completed application including the short video by 23:59 CET on 30 November 2026
6
Selection panel (Congress Spokesperson on Youth, youth trainers, two members of the Council of Europe's Advisory Council on Youth) reviews applications
7
Panel ensures a balanced group with regard to gender, cultural background and experience
8
Applicants informed of results by 15 February 2027
Special Application Tracks
Track
Details
Morocco
A youth delegate having Moroccan nationality may be designated in respect of Morocco in 2027; travel and subsistence expenses borne by the Moroccan delegation to the Congress; applications submitted per the standard procedures
Belarusian Democratic Forces
A youth delegate may be designated in respect of the Belarusian democratic forces in 2027; not required to hold a Council of Europe member State passport but must live in one of these States and be able to travel in person to Strasbourg; application forms circulated by the Belarusian democratic forces; completed forms sent by email to congress.youth@coe.int by 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET; incomplete or late applications not considered
Aims and Objectives of the Youth Delegates Programme
Objective
Details
Direct Involvement
Involve young people directly in all aspects of the Congress's work
Awareness
Make young people aware of the Congress's work and its tools to support youth participation
Exchange
Exchange with young people and raise Congress members' awareness on boosting local and regional youth participation
Thematic Debates
Bring youth perspectives to all thematic debates within the Congress
Empowerment
Motivate and empower youth delegates to multiply information and experience at home through their own projects
Models Sharing
Share information about existing models of youth-led structures
Outreach
Inspire young people to spread the word about the Congress's work
Cooperation
Promote co-operation between Congress members and youth delegates
National Delegations
Show national delegations the importance of officially including more young people as members
Overall Aim
Give young people an opportunity to express opinions directly to elected representatives and promote ongoing participation in democratic processes, in line with the principles of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life
Youth Delegate for the 2027 Congress Youth Delegates Programme, part of the Rejuvenating Politics initiative of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
Q2. Where will the sessions take place?
Both the 52nd and 53rd Congress sessions take place in Strasbourg, France.
Q3. Who can apply?
Young people aged 18–30 on 31 December 2026 who live in and hold the passport of one of the 46 Council of Europe member States.
Q4. Is the programme fully funded?
Yes. Travel and subsistence expenses are covered, and accommodation is provided and paid for by the organisers.
Q5. What is the application deadline?
30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. Late applications will not be accepted.
Q6. Do I need to submit a video?
Yes. A short video of no more than 30 seconds, preferably in English, answering the question in the application form, is an integral part of the application.
Q7. Can I participate in only one session?
No. Participation in only one session is not possible; the entire programme is compulsory.
Q8. When will I know the selection results?
Applicants will be informed of the results by 15 February 2027.
Q9. What does the grassroots project involve?
Between the March and October sessions, youth delegates develop a local or regional project related to Congress priorities or thematic debates, with trainer support; the Congress does not fund project development.
Q10. Who is not eligible?
Elected representatives at local, regional, national or European level, and anyone who has participated in the initiative previously.
Q11. How do I contact the organisers?
Email the Table Office, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at congress.youth@coe.int.
Final Call-to-Action
Step
Action
1
Review the eligibility criteria and programme requirements carefully
2
Prepare your responses to the detailed online application form
3
Record a short video (max 30 seconds) answering the question in the form
4
Submit the online application with the video link by 23:59 CET on 30 November 2026
5
Keep your video accessible to the selection panel until 28 February 2027
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