UNDER 30'

EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership 2026–2028: A New Chapter

For almost three decades, since 1998, the Youth Partnership - one of the longest-standing cooperation programmes between the European Commission and the Council of Europe - has been building bridges between institutions, connecting youth policy, youth work, and youth research around issues that matter to young people and to democracy in Europe. This Episode will discuss the new chapter of this cooperation (start date 1/01/2026) and explore what it means for young people, youth workers, and youth policy across Europe. Guests: Ingrid Bellander Todino - Head of the Youth and Intergenerational Fairness Unit in DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture in the European Commission Tobias Flessenkemper - Head of the Youth Department in the Directorate for Democracy of the Council of Europe Clotilde Talleu - the Manager of the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership Host: Dariusz Grzemny ******** Link The Youth Partnership 2026-2028 workplan: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/activities#%7B%22295974551%22:[0]%7D [https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/activities#%7B%22295974551%22:[0]%7D]

T-kit on project management

This episode of the Under 30 podcast of the EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership focuses on the brand-new edition of T-Kit 3 on project management, a key resource for everyone leading or dreaming up youth projects. Together with Mara Georgescu from the European Youth Foundation, editor and co-author Sebastian Schweitzer, and Tanya Basarab from the EU-Council of Europe youth partnership, the conversation explores what has changed since the first edition in 2000 and why this fully renewed T-Kit matters so much for today’s youth work. Host: Dariusz Grzemny Link to the T-kit: https://go.coe.int/NLvaV

Youth civic space

This episode of UNDER 30 explores what recent research says about youth participation and civic space in Europe and beyond, and why the conditions created by laws, policies and funding matter so much for young people’s democratic rights. You will also learn about tools and initiatives that can help youth organisations, activists and youth workers better understand these trends and strengthen their work in challenging contexts. UNDER 30 is a podcast by the EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership, connecting research, policy and practice around issues that shape young people’s lives. Guests: Ana Mosiashvili, Carlotta Magoga, Gilda Isernia Hosts: Dariusz Grzemny and Lana Pasic Links: Global Youth Participation Index - https://gypi.epd.eu/ [https://gypi.epd.eu/] EU-Council of Europe youth partnership website on participation - https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/participation [https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/participation]

After the 4th European Youth Work Convention

This episode of Under 30 dives into the results and reflections from the 4th European Youth Work Convention (EYWC), which took place in May in Valletta, Malta, under the theme "Youth Work Xcelerate". Guests Alice Bergholtz and Jim O'Donovan (co-rapporteurs) and Laszlo Milutinovits (EU-Council of Europe youth partnership) discuss the convention's energy and momentum. They unpack the "noise" (perennial issues like funding and quality) and the "silence" (overlooked discussions, such as the struggle for recognition and the stark divide in support across Europe) in the youth work community. Finally, they touch on the convention's conclusions—including the new European code of ethics for youth workers—and the future roadmap for European youth work. Check out all the resources and outcomes from the Convention here [https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/4th-european-youth-work-convention-] (including the graphic recordings [https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/graphic-recordings1]) Link to Coyote Youth Work Magazine Issue #38 on the Convention [https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/coyote-magazine/issue-38]

Rural youth transitions

This episode of UNDER 30 reviews the EU-Council of Europe youth partnership’s new study on rural youth transitions before and after COVID-19. The guests - Francisco Simões, co-author of the study and Ketrin Kastehein from Rural Youth Europe -  highlight data on changing opportunities, challenges, and transitions to adulthood for rural youth. They discuss slower progress and persistent gaps in education, jobs, and infrastructure, especially for young women and remote regions. Informal networks—family, friends, and youth organizations—emerge as critical support systems. The conversation addresses improvements needed in national and EU policies, such as access to digital tools, funding, and program outreach. Recommendations include creating multi-functional community spaces and ensuring Erasmus+ and youth programs reach rural youth more effectively. Links: Research on rural youth - https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/research-on-rural-youth [https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/research-on-rural-youth]