RAP LAUNCHES PROCESS TO CREATE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL AND PREPARE “THE FUTURE OF PARTICIPATION” PANEL

The Network of Participatory Local Authorities (RAP) is launching the process to create its Youth Advisory Council and prepare “The Future of Participation” Panel, two initiatives included in its Plan for the 2026–2027 period.

These initiatives are part of Axis 5 of the Activity Plan, dedicated to participation and democratic renewal, and aim to bring RAP closer to younger generations by incorporating their perspectives, experiences and proposals into the reflection on the future of public participation in Portuguese local authorities.

Following the decisions taken by the RAP Presidency, the two activities will be developed in an integrated manner. The first step will be the creation of the RAP Youth Advisory Council, composed of young people nominated by the Network’s member local authorities. This group will subsequently take part in “The Future of Participation” Panel, a process of reflection, debate and deliberation on the challenges and future pathways of local public participation.

To establish the Youth Advisory Council, each RAP member local authority may nominate up to two young people residing in its territory, recognised for their involvement in participatory processes, citizenship initiatives, associative movements, youth structures or other forms of civic engagement.

The RAP Youth Advisory Council will have a maximum of 24 participants, seeking to ensure territorial and profile diversity, gender balance and a plurality of participation experiences. The group will be publicly announced in January 2027, as part of the National Participation Day.

“The Future of Participation” Panel will take place in July or September 2027 and may adopt a methodology close to that of a Citizens’ Assembly, adapted to young participants. The aim is to create the conditions for participants to reflect, debate and deliberate on proposals to be presented to RAP members, particularly their political decision-makers.

Taking into account the potential interest of member local authorities in hosting this initiative in their territory, RAP is also launching a call for applications to select the host local authority for the Panel. Interested local authorities should submit a proposal outlining the local conditions for organising the activity, including venues, accommodation, meals, technical resources, support team, cost estimate and institutional commitment.

Local organisation will be the responsibility of the selected local authority, while the Panel’s methodology will be defined by a working group created within the RAP Presidency, in coordination with the host local authority. The decision on the host local authority is expected to be announced by 12 September 2026, allowing the selected entity to plan, in due time, the costs associated with the local organisation of the initiative in its 2027 budget.

With these two initiatives, RAP reinforces its commitment to democratic renewal, youth participation and the construction of a more open, inclusive and future-oriented local democracy.

Available documents

As part of this process, RAP is making the following documents available:

• Call for applications for hosting “The Future of Participation” Youth Panel;
• Guidelines for the creation of the RAP Youth Advisory Council.

RAP member local authorities are invited to consult the documents and take an active part in this process, helping to affirm the voice of younger generations in shaping the future of local public participation.

Further information

Network of Participatory Local Authorities
Email: rap@oficina.org.pt
Tel: +351.963088821