Originally developed in 2024 through a participatory process involving young people and youth workers from various European youth centres, the European Charter on Youth Spaces offers a forward-looking vision rather than a rigid set of rules.

Designed for everyone from young people and youth workers to institutions and organisations, it sets out to transform youth spaces into inclusive, dynamic environments where participation and social innovation can thrive.

At its core, the Charter recognises that spaces are not neutral backdrops but active forces in shaping communities. It champions youth activism as essential to democracy, promoting “porous” and “permeable” spaces that encourage exchange rather than segregation. Ultimately, it provides a long-term framework for embedding democratic practices across Europe’s diverse youth spaces.