Three days, six countries, one shared belief: youth participation grows stronger when we connect.
From 1 to 3 May 2026, young people from youth parliaments across Europe came together in Starnberg for the YPNE Summit 2026 – Beyond Barriers. Delegations from Estonia, Czechia, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland and Germany met to work on questions of the future, learn from one another and strengthen European exchange. The Dachverband der bayerischen Jugendvertretungen e.V. (DVBJ) hosted the summit and took part with committed members of its own.
A special first impression was the video message from Martin Schulz, President of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and former President of the European Parliament. His words spoke directly to the spirit of the weekend: “In such a time, the idea of Europe – nations working together across borders instead of building them – is more important than ever.”
The programme combined inspiring voices with real work. Among the speakers was Eduard Hillgert, a young voice who knows youth representation from many angles: from student councils at state level to church youth participation and international development policy. He is a member of the Youth Advisory Board of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is active as one of Germany’s youth delegates to the UN General Assembly, where he brings the views of young people to the international stage. His perspective was a strong reminder that youth participation can reach from the local level all the way to the global one.
Just as important as the programme were the moments in between. During the “Intercultural Night”, participants shared what makes their countries and communities special and made the diversity of Europe visible. What began with first conversations over dinner grew into an open atmosphere.
Then it was time to get practical. In the “Problem-Solving Lab”, participants worked in international groups on organisational challenges. It was about more than finding answers. It was about trying out how cooperation across borders actually works and experiencing how much can be achieved when problems are solved together dealing with different perspectives.
Another highlight was the talk by Florian Siekmann, Member of the Bavarian State Parliament. Elected in 2018 as the youngest member in the history of the Bavarian Landtag, he has made it his mission to give young people a voice in parliament. He spoke about the importance of youth engagement in political processes, and his impulses sparked lively discussions on how young people in Europe can be politically strengthened in the long term.
The conversations did not stop at the present. Together, participants even began to talk about the future of YPNE: what the network could become and how the exchange can continue beyond this weekend. The motivation in the room was clear: many want to keep building this network and carry it forward.
On Sunday, Nele Marks of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) spoke about how foundations can support local youth bodies. The FES is Germany’s oldest political foundation and is active in political education and international cooperation in more than 100 countries. Her insights into political education work and international youth support were a valuable closing impulse.
After a final reflection, participants said goodbye with many new ideas, new contacts and fresh motivation for their work in their youth parliaments and councils.
The YPNE Summit 2026 showed impressively how important European networking is for youth participation. The mix of political education and joint project work strengthens not only the individual young people, but also the structures of youth representation across Europe. For the DVBJ, hosting the summit was a valuable contribution to European cooperation and a strong sign that young people are ready to take responsibility across borders and shape their own future.
YPNE is growing and everyone who believes in stronger youth participation across Europe is invited to be part of it. Whether you are active in a youth parliament, represent a youth organisation or want to become a partner: join the network.
Beyond barriers. Beyond borders. Together.
