The future of Interreg calls for stronger youth participation. YPACT is ready to contribute.
24/07/2026
As the European Union prepares the next generation of Interreg programmes beyond 2027, one question is becoming increasingly important: what will be the role of younth?
For more than 35 years, Interreg has transformed borders into places of opportunity, collaboration and innovation. As discussions on the post-2027 programming period continue, the challenge is not only to preserve this legacy but also to make it more inclusive, more flexible and more impactful for the next generation.
One ahead the end of the current programming period, numerous results demonstrat that young people are already contributing to shaping the new version of Interreg towards more youthful, inclusive and sustainable approached. Above all, the Declaration by Young People on the Future of Territorial Cooperation (linkin the box) represents a significant milestone in this direction. It presents a shared vision from young Europeans for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient Europe, calling for stronger youth participation in policy-making, greater opportunities for cross-border cooperation, and governance that values the perspectives of younger generations.
At YPACT, we welcome the Declaration and the belief that meaningful youth engagement should build up to real decision-making power. Our goal isto put this new approach into practice—one that overcomes barriers that often prevent young poeple from having a meaningful role in decision-making.
Through a combination of capacity-building activities, living labs, networking and policy co-creation processes, YPACT is creating a platform where young people can connect and engage with decision-makers, while developing skills needed to influence institutional priorities and programmes and play an active role in shaping youth-responsive policies.
Within the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme, YPACT is testing how youth participation can move from ambition to practice. By creating opportunities for young people and institutions to work together, the project explores new ways to embed youth perspectives into policy development, demonstrating that meaningful participation can generate value for both young people and institutions and become a lasting element of programme implementation.
