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Structure of the YDC

The European Partnership for Democracy is the current Chair and is the main implementing partner of the YDC with support from the European Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. 

The Youth Democracy Cohort (YDC) is a multi-stakeholder network managed by a Steering Committee that brings together  organisations from both civil society and public institutions committed to advancing youth political participation. The Cohort is overseen by a Steering Committee, chaired by the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), which provides strategic direction and ensures coherence across the YDC’s work.

STEERING COMMITTEE

The Steering Committee is composed of representatives from civil society, youth-led networks, international organisations, and public institutions. Together, these organisations shape the YDC as a leading global network for youth political participation.

Steering Committee members play a central role in guiding and supporting the Cohort. Their responsibilities include:

– Setting the strategic direction of the YDC by defining its vision, priorities, and long-term objectives;
– Supporting advocacy and joint action through contributions to research, policy dialogue, and collective initiatives at national, regional, and global levels;
– Strengthening member engagement by ensuring inclusive decision-making and meaningful representation within the Cohort;
– Increasing visibility and partnerships by promoting the YDC externally and identifying opportunities for collaboration and fundraising;
– Overseeing governance and coordination, including supporting Community Managers, participating in key selection processes, and contributing to the effective functioning of the network.
The Youth Gov Champion

To strengthen links between youth-led advocacy and public institutions, the YDC includes a Youth Gov Champion role. One national youth institution such as a Ministry of Youth, National Youth Commission, or National Youth Council, that actively champions youth participation is selected by the Steering Committee to take on this role. The Youth Gov Champion serves as a reference point for government engagement within the Cohort, highlighting good practices in institutional youth participation and promoting inclusive, meaningful youth involvement in democratic processes. 

WORKING GROUPS

The Community Managers

To support a more community-driven and member-focused approach, the YDC is organised around five Community Managers: four regional and one thematic. Each Community Manager coordinates a dedicated Working Group, providing members with tailored spaces to connect, collaborate, and engage on shared regional or thematic priorities.Building on the Digitalise Youth project’s strong focus on digital rights, the YDC launched its first thematic Working Group dedicated to digital democracy in February 2026.Community Managers are responsible for:Coordinating Working Groups and ensuring members’ perspectives are reflected in the Cohort’s work;Building and engaging the community by fostering collaboration and peer exchange;Promoting the Youth Democracy Cohort and amplifying members’ initiatives;Supporting advocacy and policy engagement by identifying opportunities for joint action;Facilitating communication by sharing relevant events, funding opportunities, and initiatives.