How the Council of Europe shapes youth policy across its 47 member states through binding conventions, guidelines and co-management structures.
The Council of Europe (CoE) is Europe's leading human rights organisation, founded in 1949 and distinct from the European Union. Its 47 member states have ratified the European Convention on Human Rights, which is enforced by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Within this framework, the CoE has developed a dedicated youth policy agenda focused on human rights education, democratic participation and the professionalisation of youth work. The EYWC 2015 was organised under this agenda, co-managed by the European Steering Committee for Youth and the Advisory Council on Youth.
Established in 1972, the EYF provides financial support to European youth organisations for activities promoting peace, human rights and intercultural understanding.
The Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education — a core reference for rights-based youth work practice.
A unique governance model giving youth NGOs equal decision-making power with governments on youth policy matters within the CoE structure.
The CoE's flagship manual for human rights education with young people, widely used by youth workers across Europe and beyond.
Youth policy frameworks gain their ultimate weight from the enforceability of the European Convention on Human Rights. When states fail to meet their obligations to young people — whether through inadequate education systems, abusive detention conditions or failures in child protection — the ECHR provides a mechanism for individual redress.
The EYWC 2015 highlighted the importance of youth workers understanding not only the policy landscape but also the legal remedies available to young people whose rights have been violated. This connection between youth work practice and legal enforcement remains one of the Convention's most significant legacies.
Understanding European human rights law is increasingly important for youth professionals. Organisations working with vulnerable young people benefit from familiarity with ECHR rights and the Strasbourg enforcement process.
The EYWC 2015 recommended establishing a regular review mechanism for European youth work policy. Subsequent conventions have built on this foundation, with the 3rd EYWC held in 2020 (delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic) and the 4th Convention scheduled for 2025.
The recommendations from Brussels 2015 on professionalisation, cross-border recognition and human rights integration have been progressively incorporated into national youth strategies across CoE member states.