Young Influence

Young people have an important voice in democracy – but all too often it is not heard. Many municipalities find that it is mainly the same few young people who participate in democratic processes, while the majority stand on the sidelines. The existing forms of youth involvement are not broad enough and rarely feel meaningful to the people involved.
At the same time, young people themselves, schools, associations and politicians are demanding new and more inclusive forms of democratic participation. If we are to succeed in strengthening the local democracy of the future, it must be developed together with young people – not on their behalf.

The project Young Influence – Democracy for the Future is initiated by We Do Democracy in collaboration with five municipalities: Greve, Guldborgsund, Herning, Nyborg and Vejle. The project is supported by the Tuborg Foundation and runs for two years (2025-2026).
The project has two key objectives:
1. To assemble a youth citizen assembly consisting of 60 young people from the five municipalities, who will formulate concrete recommendations for how a school, association and local democracy can function so that more young people want to participate.
2. To develop a methodology that documents and further develops the method behind the youth citizen assembly, so that it can be widely used by municipalities and organizations throughout the country.

The project is based on a citizens’ assembly – a method based on international principles for deliberative citizen involvement. Here, the participants are not selected based on commitment, but by drawing lots to ensure diversity and representativeness.
The 60 young people participate in four weekends and a joint democracy camp, where they receive professional presentations, share experiences and together formulate recommendations for how young people’s influence in the local community can be strengthened. The recommendations will be presented in a report in the spring of 2026.
In parallel with the youth gathering, the project is developing a practice-oriented methodology that gives other actors the opportunity to use the method. This is done through continuous evaluation, adaptation and collaboration with an impact group consisting of organizations with experience in youth engagement.

The project is ongoing and will end in 2026, but the expected results are clear:
– A recommendation report with youth-formulated proposals for the future of youth democracy
– A methodology with practical approaches, experiences and principles to benefit other municipalities and civil society actors
– 60 young participants who strengthen their democratic self-confidence and can continue as democracy ambassadors in their local communities
– Five municipalities that not only listen, but act on young people’s input – and show the way for others

Facts
– Title: Young Influence – Democracy for the Future
– Period: 2025-2026
– Partners: Greve, Guldborgsund, Herning, Nyborg, Vejle
– Number of young people: 60 (13-14 from each municipality)
– Funding: Tuborgfondet
– Method: Youth gathering + method development
– Deliverables: Recommendation report and methodology