When the youth break boundaries, the country wins
This article is created for the project “Efivos in Europe”
Author: Kostadin Dimitrov
Every democratic society is aware of how important the participation of young people in political processes is. This is expressed both in exercising their right to vote and in participating in the formulation and implementation of political decisions. Involving young people in political life is important because it shapes the future governance of the state. It’s a chance for young people to participate in decisions that affect them, but also an opportunity to build and refine their political views. A democratic state needs competent individuals who have developed their ideas, so it is necessary to encourage the younger generation to participate in political processes. Besides being beneficial for the state and society, it is also beneficial for young people because it gives them a platform to share their problems and demands.
European Charter for the Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions
The European Union is an important institution for maintaining democracy on the continent. That’s why the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe formulates the Charter for the Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions. The initial version of the Charter was adopted in 1992, and 10 years later, in 2002, it was revised at a conference in Krakow, Poland. All participants there adopted the Krakow Declaration, which guarantees the position of young people as full-fledged citizens of municipalities and regions and reaffirms their right to access all forms of participation in society.
The three parts of the revised Charter address sectoral policies, some of which include education, transportation, and combating unemployment, emphasizing the provision of measures that provide necessary support for engaging young people in their communities. The Charter serves as a resource for local and regional authorities because it offers various ideas and tools to encourage youth engagement in public life, such as youth organizations, training programs, and more. Another part of it is dedicated to building a relevant institutional framework in which young people can make decisions regarding local and regional affairs on par with the respective authorities. Such a framework may include youth councils or parliaments, among other youth organizations.
The participation of young people in politics in Bulgaria
In July 2022, the Economic and Social Council (ESC) of the Republic of Bulgaria issued an “Analysis of the Participation of Young People in Decision-Making Processes in Bulgaria and the EU, including a Focus on ‘Green’ Solutions and Digitization.” This analysis highlights the importance of youth participation in decision-making and proposes the creation of a Youth Participation Index.
This action reflects the commitment of the country’s apparatus to progress for the country through working with the youth. It is beneficial for young people because it demonstrates the state’s dedication to their interests. Policies related to integrating young people into public and political life are of great importance for the country because they would increase the motivation of young people to stay and live in Bulgaria. It is precisely the lack of real changes that prompts many young people to make the difficult choice to leave their homeland and seek opportunities abroad. Therefore, the individual institutions of the state apparatus should aim to integrate young people into decision-making at the local, regional, and national levels.
The results of the study conducted by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW) titled “Analytical Report on the Participation of Young People in Public Life at the Local Level” show that 85% of municipalities in Bulgaria are attempting to comply with the European Charter for the Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions when fulfilling their duties. This is good statistical data, but does it reflect the truth? A municipality that seeks to follow the charter should familiarize young people with it. The paradox is that almost 70% of the surveyed youth are not familiar with the charter and its objectives. This suggests that municipalities are still not effectively integrating youth into political processes and are not informing them about important European-level regulations. Naturally, young people also need to engage with their civic rights and responsibilities, but municipalities are the institutions that should first reach out to the youth and stimulate their involvement. The state apparatus can be relieved of responsibility only after making efforts to engage young people in attractive ways but has not encountered a willingness to collaborate on their part.
Although the statistics currently do not show significant progress, there is still some progress, and that cannot be denied. More and more young people have a serious and motivated civic stance, and with the support of the authorities, a truly good symbiosis between the representatives of the authorities and active youth can be achieved.
And so, the participation of young people in political processes at every level is extremely important for maintaining democracy and the prosperity of a country, but at the same time, it is extremely difficult. It must be taken into account that young people are the children of the new era, and they cannot be encouraged and taught civic positions in the old ways. The new generations dare to break boundaries and ask questions like “Why should I do this?” and “Isn’t there another way to do it?” Unlike older generations, young people are not afraid to challenge the status quo and fight for what they believe in. Therefore, instead of institutions trying to extinguish this fire, it is better to help young people transform this fire into actions that are beneficial for them and society. Every country needs the spark of young people in its institutions and policies.
The article was created as part of the CERV Efivos project in Europe. EFIVOS II program is funded by the European Commission (CERV), with partners Network Children’s Rights (Greece), CIP (Cyprus), HESED (Bulgaria), GEYC (Romania), Dedalus (Italy), Pacto Verde (Spain), Crossing Borders (Denmark).The support of the European Commission for the preparation of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content.
The publication reflects only the views of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use of the information contained therein.