From 12 to 14 September, ten young Europeans met in Berlin for the YouthRights Vision Lab: three days of discussions, debates, and hard thinking about how the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFREU) can feel closer and more relevant to youth.
As part of our FOCUS project, the group of young changemakers and advocates for human rights have now come together in person in Berlin, after having worked together digitally for several months. Led by Sofie De Jong from the Netherlands, they gathered to bring together their research and ideas. They spent the weekend analysing real-life challenges, comparing national perspectives, and drafting the first outlines of a Vision Booklet – a youth-led take on how to make rights more tangible in everyday life.
During the YouthRights Vision Lab, the team worked on the chapters of the Vision Paper, each focusing on a different aspect of making the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union more accessible and relevant to young people. The participants engaged in collaborative discussions and brainstorming sessions, They worked together to shape each section, ensuring that the vision was both practical and innovative. The group provided each other with constructive feedback, refining ideas, and approaches to create a cohesive, youth-centered narrative. Through this collective effort, the participants successfully developed a vision that emphasises the importance of youth engagement and empowerment in shaping future EU policies.
One of the highlights was the input from Nino Tsereteli, Charter expert from our partners at Democracy Reporting International (DRI). She shared insights on how rights are interpreted in EU policy and encouraged participants to think about how young people can act as bridges between legal frameworks and lived experience and find practical and innovative solutions.
A participant said, “It’s very impactful to be able to participate in such an event not only because we might have to share some insights with the EYP network but also because it also shapes us as individuals.”
In between sessions, the group also took time to connect. Over walks through Berlin, shared meals, and conversations that often carried on long after the official programme ended.
Now, work continues. In the coming months, participants will refine their resolutions and transform them into a Vision Booklet that brings the EU Charter to life through youth perspectives. The publication will be shared later this year.
At its core, the YouthRights Vision Lab is about turning big principles into something people can actually use tools for justice, equality, and dignity in everyday life.
The YouthRights Vision Lab is part of the FOCUS project, which raises awareness of Fundamental Rights in Europe and is supported by the European Commission.
