The Council of Europe Congress Youth Delegate Programme 2027 is a fully funded opportunity for young people aged 18 to 30 from Council of Europe member States to take part in the 52nd and 53rd Congress sessions in Strasbourg, France. Organised under the Rejuvenating Politics initiative, the programme also requires delegates to develop a grassroots project at home between the two sessions. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Complete guide to the Council of Europe Congress Youth Delegate Programme 2027, including key details, about the Congress, programme structure, candidate profile, application procedure and selection, travel and accommodation, additional participant categories, important dates, and contact information.
Quick Highlights of the Council of Europe Congress Youth Delegate Programme 2027
Parameter
Details
Organization
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe
About the 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 the organisation's 46 member States. It brings together elected representatives from local and regional authorities and provides a forum for political dialogue.
Area
Details
Role
Council of Europe's political assembly for local and regional democracy
Membership
46 member States
Core Work
Monitoring the European Charter of Local Self-Government, observing local and regional elections, supporting authorities in applying Council of Europe values
Youth Participation Since
October 2014 (youth invited to sessions); grassroots projects required since 2016
Programme Name
Rejuvenating Politics initiative – Congress Youth Delegates Programme
2027 Sessions
52nd session: 23–25 March 2027; 53rd session: 26–28 October 2027
Programme Duration
One year (both 2027 sessions plus project work)
Key Responsibilities of the Youth Delegate
Responsibility
Details
Session Participation
Sit in the hemicycle alongside Congress members during both 2027 sessions
Preparatory Meetings
Attend a two-day preparatory meeting before each session to familiarise with Congress functioning
Speeches and Analysis
Prepare short speeches and analyse policy documents; public speaking skills required
Session Attendance
Full attendance from Saturday 20 March (19.00) to debriefing Thursday 25 March (17.00) 2027, and Saturday 23 October (19.00) to debriefing Thursday 28 October (17.00) 2027
Grassroots Project
Develop and implement a local or regional project related to Congress priorities or 2027 thematic debates between March and October sessions
Project Formats
Conference, mobile application, presentation to school, podcast, or similar
Mentoring
Work with trainers through mentoring sessions and videoconference meetings (April–September) to develop and assess project ideas
Networking Events
Possible participation in committee meetings, seminars or conferences in or outside Strasbourg during the year
Dinners
Dinner organised before (20 March and 23 October 2027) and after (26 March and 28 October 2027) each session
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Requirement
Details
Age
Between 18 and 30 years old on 31 December 2026
Residence 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
Information Multiplier
Able to multiply the information obtained during the session on return home
Communication
Good writing and public speaking skills
Teamwork
Committed to working in an intercultural team
Language
Speak English fluently
Restrictions
Must not be elected representatives at local, regional, national or European level; must not have participated in the initiative previously
Additional Skills That Strengthen an Application
Skill
Details
Public Speaking
Ability to prepare short speeches and express views in debates with Congress members
Policy Analysis
Capability to analyse policy documents ahead of sessions
Dialogue Building
Openness and commitment to strengthen dialogue between young people and elected representatives
Project Development
Capacity to design and implement a grassroots project at local or regional level
Intercultural Teamwork
Experience working in diverse, intercultural groups
Video Communication
Ability to answer a set question in a short video of no more than 30 seconds
Who Should Apply
Background
Details
Youth Activists
Priority consideration
Youth Workers
Priority consideration
Students
Priority consideration
Youth Political Leaders
Priority consideration
Young People Active in Local and Regional Youth Work
Priority consideration
Elected Representatives (any level)
Not eligible
Previous Participants of the Initiative
Not eligible
Programme Structure and Compulsory Activities
Activity
Details
Preparatory Activities
All preparatory activities with trainers, including possible online meetings, prior to each session
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
Several meetings with trainers (April–September) to prepare the grassroots project
Project Implementation
Implement the project between April and mid-September 2027
Replacement Rule
Youth delegates who do not take part in one or more compulsory aspects will be replaced by their national substitute delegate
Session Limitation
Participation in only one session is not possible
Aims and Objectives of the Youth Delegate 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 for 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 delegates to multiply information and experience at home through their own projects
Youth-Led Models
Share information about existing models of youth-led structures
Inspiration
Inspire young people to spread the word about the Congress's work
Co-operation
Promote co-operation between Congress members and youth delegates
National Delegations
Show national delegations the importance of officially including more young people as members
Funding, Travel and Accommodation
Detail
Information
Travel Expenses
Covered by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities according to Council of Europe rules
Subsistence Expenses
Covered by the Congress according to Council of Europe rules
Accommodation
Provided and paid for by the organisers (single-occupancy or shared rooms according to availability)
Accommodation Outside Venue
Cost of accommodation elsewhere cannot be covered by organisers
Project Funding
The Congress does not provide funding for project development
Project Support
Introduction letter to act as a visiting card with local or regional authorities; information documents and other material if needed
Moroccan Delegate
A youth delegate of Moroccan nationality may be designated for Morocco in 2027; travel and subsistence borne by the Moroccan delegation
Belarusian Democratic Forces Delegate
A youth delegate may be designated in respect of the Belarusian democratic forces in 2027; not required to hold a member State passport but must live in one and be able to travel in person
How to Apply
Step
Action
1
Complete the online application form, which includes detailed questions and may take some time
2
Prepare a short video of no more than 30 seconds, preferably in English, answering the question indicated in the application form (do not introduce your name or country)
3
Title the video with only the applicant's name and country and send the link together with the application
4
Ensure the video link remains 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
Belarusian democratic forces applicants: obtain forms circulated by the Belarusian democratic forces and email completed forms to congress.youth@coe.int by 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET
Selection Process
Stage
Details
Selection Panel
Includes the Congress Spokesperson on Youth, the youth trainers and two members of the Council of Europe's Advisory Council on Youth
Balance Criteria
Panel ensures selected applicants represent a balanced group with regard to gender, cultural background and experience
Results Notification
Applicants informed of selection results by 15 February 2027
Late Applications
Not accepted
Important Dates
Date
Event
30 November 2026, 23:59 CET
Application deadline (including short video)
15 February 2027
Applicants informed of selection results
28 February 2027
Video link must remain accessible to the selection panel until this date
20 March 2027 (19.00)
Start of 52nd session attendance (preparation day)
20 March 2027
Dinner before the March session
23–25 March 2027
52nd Congress session
25 March 2027 (17.00)
Debriefing session for 52nd session
26 March 2027
Dinner after the March session
April–mid-September 2027
Grassroots project implementation period
23 October 2027 (19.00)
Start of 53rd session attendance (preparation day)
Youth Delegate for the 2027 Congress Youth Delegates Programme under the Rejuvenating Politics initiative.
Q2. Who organises the programme?
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
Q3. Where are the sessions held?
Strasbourg, France.
Q4. What is the application deadline?
30 November 2026, 23:59 CET. Late applications are not accepted.
Q5. Who is eligible to 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 and are active in youth work at local and regional levels.
Q6. Is the programme fully funded?
Yes. Travel and subsistence expenses are covered, and accommodation is provided and paid for by the organisers.
Q7. Can I apply for only one session?
No. Participation in only one session is not possible; the entire programme is compulsory.
Q8. What do I need to submit with the application?
The online application form plus a link to a short video of no more than 30 seconds answering the question indicated in the form.
Q9. When will selection results be announced?
Applicants will be informed by 15 February 2027.
Q10. How can 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 full eligibility criteria and compulsory activities
2
Prepare your answers and short video before starting the form
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