From 8th to 13th September 2025, the island of Elba, Italy, became the meeting point for 15 youth leaders from across Europe, who gathered for the first-ever youth exchange organised in the framework of the European Network of Local Youth Councils (ENLYC). Hosted by DYPALL Network in cooperation with Vedogiovane and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, the activity set the tone for what promises to be a long-term, inspiring journey of cooperation and peer learning among Local Youth Councils.
This youth exchange provided a space for young participants to share experiences, identify challenges, and co-create solutions to strengthen the role of Local Youth Councils as key actors of democracy at the local level. Together, they explored how to make youth councils more inclusive and participatory, while also mapping good practices and strategies to enhance their impact.
This Youth Exchange was the very first event implemented for our ENLYC members, and it marks only the beginning of a growing project. Seeing this network come to life and witnessing the energy and commitment of young leaders motivates us even more to continue building spaces for youth participation and dialogue across Europe.
We already have several other activities planned within ENLYC, each one designed to deepen connections, strengthen capacities, and expand the opportunities for Local Youth Councils to learn from each other. We look forward to seeing this network grow and become a strong voice for young people in shaping local communities.
