🇧🇪 Erasmus+ Online Webinar ♿ Inclusive Youth Participation: Democratic Participation of Young People with Intellectual Disabilities 🗳️

What does it actually mean for a young person with an intellectual disability to participate in democratic life? What gets in the way — and what does it look like when it works? Webinar #4 of the Inclusive Youth Participation series, organised by SALTO Inclusion & Diversity and SALTO Participation & Information, tackles exactly these questions — with expert input, practical case studies, and real tools youth workers can take straight back to their work.

🎯 About the Webinar Series

SALTO Inclusion & Diversity and SALTO Participation & Information have joined forces for a webinar series on democratic participation of young people with fewer opportunities. Each session takes an intersectional approach, highlighting how youth work can support inclusion, empower young people, and strengthen their role in decision-making — both within Erasmus+ and ESC projects and beyond.

📋 Programme

🕐 13:00 — Opening and welcome

🎤 13:10 — Keynote input by Sandra Marques, Self-Advocacy Expert at Inclusion Europe

☕ 13:55 — Mini-break

💬 14:00 — Good practices in breakout rooms:

🔹 Practice 1: Elisabeth Gudenus, Project Manager at EU For Trisomy 21

🔹 Practices 2 and 3: TBC

📣 14:45 — Reporting back and group discussion

🔚 15:00 — Closing

⚠️ The keynote session will be recorded — breakout rooms will not.

🌍 What Is Democratic Participation?

The Youth Participation Strategy defines democratic participation as young people having the right, means, space, opportunity, and support to freely express their views, contribute to and influence decision-making, and take part in civic and democratic life. In practice this includes:

🤝 Co-designing projects and activities

🏛️ Participating in youth councils or consultations

📣 Engaging in advocacy and community initiatives

🎨 Using creative and accessible tools to express views

💬 Taking part in dialogue with decision-makers

🔄 Contributing to shared decision-making processes

♿ Inclusion and Accessibility

This webinar is designed with full accessibility in mind:

✅ Zero tolerance for discriminatory language or behaviour

📹 Participate with or without your camera on

💬 Chat, reactions, and speaking are all equally valued forms of participation

🔤 Automated captions enabled throughout

🗣️ Simple language encouraged — no need for “perfect English”

👥 Small breakout groups for safer exchange

📋 Presentation materials available in advance upon request — particularly to support neurodivergent participants or those with disabilities. Indicate this in the registration form.

👤 Who Is This For?

This webinar is open to a wide audience — up to 300 participants on a first-come, first-served basis:

🧑‍💼 Youth workers, trainers, and educators

🏛️ Staff of youth organisations and NGOs

📋 Policymakers and decision-makers

🔬 Researchers and experts

🌍 Anyone interested in inclusive democratic participation

Working language is English. No participation fee.

📜 Youthpass certificate provided.

⚠️ Registrations close 1 hour before the start — 7 May at 12:00 CET.

🌍 Eligible Countries

Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries: 🇦🇹 Austria 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇭🇷 Croatia 🇨🇾 Cyprus 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇪🇪 Estonia 🇫🇮 Finland 🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇬🇷 Greece 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇮🇹 Italy 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein 🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇲🇹 Malta 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇱 Poland 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇲🇰 North Macedonia 🇷🇴 Romania 🇷🇸 Serbia 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇸🇮 Slovenia 🇪🇸 Spain 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇹🇷 Türkiye

Partner Countries Neighbouring the EU: 🇦🇱 Albania 🇩🇿 Algeria 🇦🇲 Armenia 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan 🇧🇾 Belarus 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇪🇬 Egypt 🇬🇪 Georgia 🇮🇱 Israel 🇯🇴 Jordan 🇽🇰 Kosovo 🇱🇧 Lebanon 🇱🇾 Libya 🇲🇩 Moldova 🇲🇪 Montenegro 🇲🇦 Morocco 🇵🇸 Palestine 🇷🇺 Russian Federation 🇸🇾 Syria 🇹🇳 Tunisia 🇺🇦 Ukraine

Also open to participants from countries worldwide — full list available on the SALTO training page.

📅 Activity Dates

🗓️ 7 May 2026 | 13:00 — 15:00 CET

🖥️ Online via Zoom

⏰ Deadline

6 May 2026 (registrations close 7 May at 12:00 CET)

📬 How to Apply

📝 Apply via SALTO Training Calendar: http://trainings.salto-youth.net/14741

📧 Henrique Goncalves: henrique@salto-youth.net

✋Important Notice

Youth Works Hub does not represent or act on behalf of any organization listed on this platform. All project details are sourced directly from official ESC and Erasmus+ databases. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official project page or contact the hosting organization directly. Youth Works Hub is not responsible for any changes made to project details after publication.