The Municipality of Valongo hosted the Forum for Local Youth Impact (FLY!) 2026 on 15 and 16 October, a European forum on youth participation, democratic engagement and the role of local communities in building more inclusive democracies. The forum took place as European youth policies and programmes are changing. It offered a space for dialogue, reflection and exchange of experience on the opportunities and challenges facing youth participation at local and European level.
Organisers and participants
FLY! 2026 was promoted by ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy and co-organised with the Municipality of Valongo. It brought together:
- representatives of local authorities
- youth organisations
- municipal youth councils
- young elected officials
- youth workers
- policymakers and researchers
- other actors working to strengthen young people’s participation in democratic life
What was discussed
Over the two days, participants debated how the European framework for youth participation is evolving, in particular the revision of the European Union Youth Strategy and the future of the Erasmus+ programme. The forum also highlighted the importance of local authorities and civil society organisations in creating opportunities for young people to take an active part in decision-making. Participants shared perspectives and good practices across the youth field. According to the municipality, this contributed to stronger cooperation between European territories and to identifying approaches that make youth participation more effective and meaningful.
Why it matters for Valongo
The municipality says hosting FLY! 2026 reaffirms the importance of a participatory and inclusive local democracy that is close to new generations. It recognises young people not only as recipients of public policies but as active agents in defining, developing and implementing them.
The forum follows the opening of Praça da Democracia, a new public space in the town centre, on the night of 6 August 2026. The square is located near schools, shops, services and restaurants. The mayor, Paulo Esteves Ferreira, said it was designed for children to play freely, for young people to meet, for seniors to socialise and for families to make happy memories. At the opening he said that democracy “is not limited to the act of voting”. Former mayor José Manuel Ribeiro, who was linked to the origin of the project, placed the square within the ambition of creating a new centrality associated with the Casa da Democracia.