DAY gives young people from disadvantaged districts in Naples a structured role in democracy, with youth civic agendas reaching the European Commission and European Parliament.
NINE SCHOOLS, ONE DEMOCRATIC MISSION
In nine schools across some of Naples' most socially and economically disadvantaged districts, over 1,300 young people aged 14 to 18 are doing something rarely offered to their generation: actively shaping the policies that affect their lives. Coordinated by Fondazione L'Albero della Vita with partners including Eurochild and the Municipality of Naples, DAY brings together schools, civil society organisations, and public authorities to identify key local issues, from education and social welfare to urban planning, and turn young people's insights into concrete proposals for policymakers.
FROM CLASSROOM TO EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS
Through workshops, training sessions, and structured participation processes, students developed Youth Civic Agendas with specific proposals for local decision-makers. But the project's reach extends far beyond Naples. Six participants travelled to Brussels to present the project and share the challenges faced by young people directly with the European Commission and Parliament, receiving EU-level recognition for the initiative. Following this success, participants were also invited to the Italian Parliament to engage with national deputies. DAY demonstrates that local youth participation, when structured and supported, can carry genuine weight at national and European levels.
BUILT TO TRAVEL ACROSS EUROPE
What makes DAY significant beyond its local impact is its design as a replicable model. By institutionalising youth participation through formal mechanisms such as Youth Civic Agendas and advisory boards, the project transforms participation from a one-off consultation into a sustainable governance practice that can travel across borders. At a time when democratic disengagement among young people is a growing concern across Europe, DAY offers a practical and proven framework for connecting youth with the institutions that shape their futures, from city hall to the European Parliament.
