Key points
- The Council of Europe has opened the selection of youth delegates to the Congress for 2026
- Participants from Ukraine can apply until 15 December 2025
- Delegates will take part in two sessions in Strasbourg and implement their own local project
- The programme covers travel, daily allowances and accommodation
- There are clear criteria for candidates and a specific application format
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has announced the start of recruitment of youth delegates for 2026 as part of the Rejuvenating Politics initiative. The programme provides for the participation of one representative from each member state of the Council of Europe, as well as the implementation of their own socially important project at the local or regional level.
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Participants from Ukraine will be able to join two plenary sessions of the Congress in Strasbourg. The first session will take place from 31 March to 2 April, and the second from 27 to 29 October 2026. Between these meetings, delegates will develop and implement a grassroots project with the support of mentoring sessions. The programme does not provide funding for such initiatives, but it does cover travel, daily allowances and accommodation during participation in the sessions.
Young people aged 18 to 30 who live in Ukraine, are actively involved in youth or community activities and are interested in local self-government issues are eligible to apply. To participate, you must be fluent in English and have writing and public speaking skills. Elected officials at any level and individuals who have already participated in the programme are not eligible to reapply.
Applications are accepted via the official online form until 15 December 2025. A mandatory part of the application is a video of up to 30 seconds, which must remain available until 27 February 2026.
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