Articles
From agronomy to leadership, young people must shape democracy now
Fabiana wanted to start out in the health field, fell in love with agronomy and ended up in youth leadership training. Today she leads the Próxima Geração Academy, working to prepare future leaders who care, listen and keep others at the centre of decisions.
Sustainability without empathy leaves people behind, warns climate justice activist
From activism to EU policy, Francisca Costa communicates how our collective action can bridge divides and protect the most vulnerable. She argues that true sustainability demands empathy and an understanding of others' paths through the climate crisis, not finger-pointing.
“Local politics isn’t a spectator sport for young people,” says 28-year-old elected official
At 28, Carlos Paiva Raposo serves as an elected councillor on the Cascais Municipal Assembly, viewing local politics as democracy's training ground. Amid youth disillusionment across Europe, he insists institutions must become far more accessible to regain their trust.
Injustice makes Otilia Colceriu’s blood boil. That’s why she fights
Otilia Colceriu can't sit quietly when injustice hits. As executive director of EU&U in Brussels, she's turning outrage into action through advocacy and social media. Her mission is a simple one: to protect European democracy before it's too late.
How a 23-year-old historian became the country’s digital memory curator
Bringing the past to the present, Gen-Z historian Gonçalo Farlens uses his social media platform to make Portugal's narratives accessible. The aim, he says, is to leave a mark on collective memory and critical thought in the digital age.
The best way to represent young people is to let young people do it themselves
From chest-tightening injustice to the ideals of a sustainable and equal world for young generations, Rareș Voicu leads the European Youth Forum (EYF) with determination, vision and hope. The most effective kind of participation, he claims, should always be youth-led.
Knowing your body is power: Why menstrual literacy matters more than ever
Sexual and reproductive health educator Sheila Góis Habib talks to us about body shame, misinformation and why understanding your menstrual cycle is a powerful act of resistance in today's world.
Outside the norm: Diana Reis on changing what disability means in Europe
Diana Reis grew up in a small village in Portugal where she hardly ever saw anyone like herself. Now, she’s the force behind Fora dos Padrões on social media, speaking up for nearly 107 million people, or 1 in 4 adults, with some form of disability in the EU (Eurostat, 2024).
