Youth Participation Events
“Open Dialogue: Fostering Youth Entrepreneurship through Policy Co-Creation” (Latvia)
Organized in the Latgale region by Jauniešu biedrība “Dagne”, this event centered on entrepreneurship as a tool for youth empowerment. It gathered young entrepreneurs, policymakers, and educators to co-create solutions for better access to funding, mentorship, and training. Sessions included group discussions, an entrepreneurial workshop, and an “Open Dialogue” panel with policymakers. Participants designed proposals to simplify start-up processes, promote digital and sustainable businesses, and integrate entrepreneurship education into schools. The event strengthened cooperation between young innovators and local institutions.
“Youth Festival & Entrepreneurship Exhibition” (Bulgaria)
The Bulgarian event transformed the RiseUp concept into a celebratory festival of youth innovation. Organized by Sdruzhenie Evropeyski Proekti v Bulgaria in Sofia, it combined exhibitions of youth-led start-ups with workshops, networking sessions, and cultural performances. Young entrepreneurs presented eco-friendly and socially impactful projects, while discussions addressed inclusion, gender equality, and access to funding. The festival fostered cross-sector collaboration among youth, policymakers, and investors, and highlighted entrepreneurship as both an economic and social empowerment tool.
“Youth Symposium: Empowering Youth Employability through Collaboration and Innovation” (Greece)
Hosted in Thessaloniki by Pylon One, the Greek Symposium promoted collaboration between youth, institutions, and employers to enhance employability. A keynote on the future of work set the stage for workshops on digital skills, green jobs, social entrepreneurship, and inclusion. Interactive panels and networking sessions connected young people directly with decision-makers and business leaders. The event emphasized youth-driven solutions, including mentorship networks and entrepreneurship hubs, and ended with reflections highlighting the importance of ongoing cooperation in youth employment policy
“Youth Lab: Analyzing and Improving Youth Employability Policies in the EU”
Undertaken by PYLON ONE, this event launched the RiseUp project by focusing on youth employability and policy analysis. Participants explored how EU and national employment frameworks, such as the Youth Guarantee and Skills Agenda, affect young people’s access to quality work. Through interactive workshops and policy mapping, youth identified skill gaps, inclusion barriers, and opportunities for entrepreneurship. The event culminated in a dialogue with policymakers, producing recommendations to improve job access and youth participation in employment policy-making.
