Listens and proposes
Gathers needs and ideas, identifying priorities for young people and their communities.
Youth council
At Naqah, young people aged 18 to 30 do more than share ideas: they turn them into projects, decisions and activities.
A voice and an active role
The Youth Coordination Group is where people aged 18 to 30 take an active role in Naqah's everyday life. It is not a group asked merely to comment on decisions already made: young people identify needs, propose priorities, co-design initiatives, help shape decisions about activities and take real responsibility for putting them into practice.
Young people have played this role since Naqah was founded in 2023. We are now giving the group a clearer, more consistent structure while keeping room for ideas, experimentation and learning by doing. Members meet throughout the year according to ongoing work and emerging needs; the frequency and practical arrangements will be agreed together.
Our approach is inspired by the Council of Europe's European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, updated in 2025. Its central idea is that meaningful participation requires the means, spaces and opportunities to influence decisions and take action. We seek to put that idea into practice while respecting the responsibilities of the association's governing bodies.
The Youth Council in action
From ideas to decisions
The group follows the whole process: listening, proposing, making choices together, delivering activities and reviewing what worked. Young people are not just participants; they help lead the work.
Shapes decisions
Helps determine the content, format and organisation of activities, rather than merely commenting on them.
Makes it happen
Runs meetings, workshops and events, taking on operational roles and real responsibilities.
Co-designs and reflects
Co-designs local and European projects, gathers feedback and plans what comes next.
Meet the Youth Coordination Group
The group brings together young people with different interests, experiences and skills. Everyone can contribute to planning, communication, facilitation and delivery. Practical roles and responsibilities are shaped together around activities, skills and availability.
Ideas becoming projects
Youth participation is best seen in the work young people have helped bring to life. Through the solidarity projects VerdeVisivo and Questo Corpo, young people in the group designed, organised and delivered activities on environmental communication, creativity, body image and wellbeing. These were Naqah projects supported by the European Solidarity Corps, with young people's initiative at their heart.
The same approach shapes SalvaGente, a participatory festival bringing young people and the local community together, and SYNKRO, a space for listening and co-design that helps turn ideas into new activities and partnerships. The group also contributes to setting priorities and preparing future initiatives: this is an ongoing role, not something that ends when a single project finishes.
-
2025
The first SYNKRO gathering strengthens a space where active young members share needs, skills and ideas and co-design activities for their communities.
-
September 2026
SYNKRO brings together around 20 participants for listening, small-group work and co-design. Their proposals help shape the next activities.
The projects mentioned
European Solidarity Corps · 2025–2026
Questo Corpo
A project started by young people in Alto Belice to talk about bodies, food and eating disorders without shame or judgement.
- Youth participation and leadership
- Adult education
- Environmental sustainability, culture, wellbeing and inclusion
European Solidarity Corps · 2024–2025
VerdeVisivo
Art and visual communication to talk about the environment, plastic and drought, through creative workshops for young people in Marineo.
- Youth participation and leadership
- Adult education
- Environmental sustainability, culture, wellbeing and inclusion
Local initiative · dal 2024
SalvaGente
The annual youth-led festival on environment, art and community.
- Youth participation and leadership
- Environmental sustainability, culture, wellbeing and inclusion
Local initiative · dal 2025
SYNKRO
The annual co-design seminar where young people plan the year's activities together.
- Youth participation and leadership
- Non-formal education
- Research and listening to community needs
Join the Youth Coordination Group
Are you 18 to 30, living in Marineo or nearby, and keen to do something meaningful? You can get involved with Naqah's Youth Coordination Group. Previous experience is not required: curiosity, willingness to collaborate and respect for the association's values matter most.
You can suggest a topic, contribute to a workshop, help organise SalvaGente or join the design of new activities. Get in touch to meet the group and find out how to take part.