IPU and WYDE partners celebrate International Youth Day
Source: IPU
On 12 August, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) celebrated International Youth Day by organizing a webinar for members of parliament and international partners that would highlight new tools and initiatives aimed at empowering young parliamentarians. The focus was on enhancing gender equality through efforts that promoted youth empowerment in politics. The event emphasized peer learning, international cooperation and practical tools that helped young leaders become more effective and influential in their political roles and in promoting gender equality.
The Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) initiative, funded by the European Union, is a global effort to strengthen youth participation in democratic life. Launched in 2024, WYDE | Women Leadership brings together organizations like the IPU, UN Women, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) to advance women’s political participation and decision-making through social norms change, networking and global advocacy.
Women and youth in democracy: WYDE – the EU’s flagship initiative
The WYDE initiative is a 63 million euro effort implemented by over 20 partners, including the IPU. It is one of the EU’s Youth Action Plan flagship programmes, strengthening the role of young people as active and informed participants in democratic life. The Youth Democracy Cohort (YDC), with over 550 members, advocates for democratic reforms and offers seed grants to its members. The European Partnership for Democracy leads the Global Youth Participation Index, providing a comprehensive overview of youth political participation in over 140 countries.
Through training, dialogue platforms and support for youth-led organizations, WYDE enhances young people’s leadership capacities and promotes their representation in governance. The Democracy Schools organized by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and the Accountability Hubs are key training and mentoring programmes for young leaders.
WYDE also works to identify and remove systemic barriers that hinder youth participation, such as discrimination, lack of access to political networks and limited civic education. Notable efforts include the cost of politics studies and micro-grants awarded by the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA).
On 12 August, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) celebrated International Youth Day by organizing a webinar for members of parliament and international partners that would highlight new tools and initiatives aimed at empowering young parliamentarians. The focus was on enhancing gender equality through efforts that promoted youth empowerment in politics. The event emphasized peer learning, international cooperation and practical tools that helped young leaders become more effective and influential in their political roles and in promoting gender equality.
The Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) initiative, funded by the European Union, is a global effort to strengthen youth participation in democratic life. Launched in 2024, WYDE | Women Leadership brings together organizations like the IPU, UN Women, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) to advance women’s political participation and decision-making through social norms change, networking and global advocacy.
Women and youth in democracy: WYDE – the EU’s flagship initiative
The WYDE initiative is a 63 million euro effort implemented by over 20 partners, including the IPU. It is one of the EU’s Youth Action Plan flagship programmes, strengthening the role of young people as active and informed participants in democratic life. The Youth Democracy Cohort (YDC), with over 550 members, advocates for democratic reforms and offers seed grants to its members. The European Partnership for Democracy leads the Global Youth Participation Index, providing a comprehensive overview of youth political participation in over 140 countries.
Through training, dialogue platforms and support for youth-led organizations, WYDE enhances young people’s leadership capacities and promotes their representation in governance. The Democracy Schools organized by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and the Accountability Hubs are key training and mentoring programmes for young leaders.
WYDE also works to identify and remove systemic barriers that hinder youth participation, such as discrimination, lack of access to political networks and limited civic education. Notable efforts include the cost of politics studies and micro-grants awarded by the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA).