07/05/2026
What makes youth participation meaningful in practice?
In our expert interview with Melanie Schmitt, Managing Director of the umbrella organisation of youth municipal councils in Baden-Württemberg we explored how young people engage in decision-making and what conditions make participation work.
The conversation highlighted that youth participation is already well established, but still depends strongly on political will and financial support. At the same time, barriers such as unclear structures or limited resources remain. We also discussed inclusion challenges, the role of digital tools, and how participation can empower young people to take responsibility and shape their communities.
This interview is part of Cap4Youth, an Erasmus+ project. After completing the desk research phase, including expert interviews and an online survey, the next step will be the visit of the German delegation to North Macedonia in June. The insights will feed into the further development of the project.
Stay tuned for more!
