Deadline: 3 January 2019
Open to: young people between 18 and 30 years old
Benefits: travel, subsistence and accommodation are covered
Description
As part of its “Rejuvenating politics” initiative the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will invite one young person per member State to:
- come to Strasbourg (France) to take an active part, as a youth delegate, in its 38th (17-19 March) and 39th (27-29 October) sessions
- develop their own grass-roots project back home (under the Congress’ aegis)
The Congress is a pan-European political assembly, its 648 members hold elective office (they may be regional or municipal councillors, mayors or presidents of regional authorities) and represent over 200,000 authorities in 47 European States. Its role is to promote local and regional democracy, improve local and regional governance and strengthen authorities’ self-government. It meets in session twice a year.
Like other political assemblies, such as national parliaments or local/regional councils, the sessions are formal gatherings where the Congress members examine reports, hold thematic debates and adopt recommendations.
To learn more about the Congress, please see link1.
The Congress and youth participation
Since October 2014, the Congress has invited young people from different backgrounds – youth activists, youth workers, students to take part in its sessions, to have their say in the debates and to exchange with Congress members on the issues on the agenda.
Since 2016, as an integral part of their participation, youth delegates have been required to develop their own projects at local and regional level in between the sessions.
To learn more about youth delegates in the Congress please see link2.
Participating in the Congress’ work for one year
Being a youth delegate for a year is a unique opportunity to gain international experience, become a part of a diverse group of young activists, network and make an impact by stimulating the debates from a youth perspective thereby highlighting and strengthening the Congress’ commitment to youth empowerment.
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- Participating as a youth delegate in the sessions
The youth delegates will sit in the hemicycle alongside the Congress members for both sessions.
A one-day preparatory session will be held prior to each session. This day is not intended as a training day, its purpose is to familiarise youth delegates with the Congress and its proceedings; delegates should already have the necessary public speaking skills, be able to prepare short speeches and capable of analysing policy documents.
Eligibility
All youth delegates should:
- be open, committed and motivated to develop and strengthen dialogue between young people and elected representatives at local/regional level;
- be between 18 and 30 years old;
- hold the passport of, and live in, the country they will represent;
- be active in youth work at local and regional levels;
- be available to engage in the whole of the activity including the preparation of grass-roots projects;
- have an interest in actively participating in policy making at local and/or regional levels but not be an elected representative;
- be able to multiply the information obtained during the session on their return home
- have good writing and public speaking skills
- be committed to working in an intercultural team;
- not have participated in the initiative previously;
- speak English fluently;
Benefits
The youth delegates’ travel and subsistence expenses will be covered by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities according to the Council of Europe’s rules.
Accommodation will be provided and paid for by the organizers, in single-occupancy or shared rooms according to availability. The organisers cannot cover the cost of accommodation elsewhere.
How to apply?
For more information, please visit the official web page.
