REPORT: Safeguarding Civic Space for Young People in Europe

Policy position published by the European Youth Forum on 04/05/2022

By speaking out, gathering together online and offline, and by participating in public decision-making, individuals and communities use civic space to solve problems and improve lives. However, civil society organisations can often face serious obstacles in their work, some even experience or fear retribution from their governments when expressing their views.

This policy position details the key problems for youth civic spaces in Europe and highlights the demands of the Youth Forum to address them, in the following thematic areas:
• Rights, democracy and the rule of law
• Digitalisation
• Freedom of information and expression
• Freedom of assembly and association
• Funding for youth civil society