This document presents the findings of a transnational research effort conducted as the initial activity of an Erasmus+ project focused on fostering more inclusive, open and democratic leadership in the youth field, improving quality and innovation in work with young people.

1. Inclusive – means that leadership opportunities are open to all young people, regardless of their background, ability, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or geography. It requires intentional efforts to remove barriers and ensure representation of under-represented or marginalised groups.
2. Open – refers to leadership practices that are transparent, participatory and responsive. Open leadership values dialogue, feedback and co-creation. It encourages experimentation, shared learning and ongoing adaptation rather than rigid hierarchies.
3. Democratic – youth leadership implies shared power and accountability. Young people are not merely consulted, but have real influence over decisions, directions and outcomes. This includes involvement in governance structures, project design and strategic planning.

The research was guided by a central question and a set of sub-questions designed to explore the topic in depth:

Main Research Question:

• How are youth organisations across Europe implementing inclusive, open and democratic youth leadership models and what are the outcomes and challenges of these practices?

Sub-Questions
The questionnaire was structured to explore the following thematic areas:

• Organisational structure and youth integration
• Participation and decision-making
• Leadership facilitation and support mechanisms
• Frequency and consistency of youth engagement
• Rationale and evolution
• Barriers and challenges
• Impact of youth involvement
• Evaluation and learning
• Good practices and reflections

The research presented in this report constitutes the first activity of Transformative Youth Leadership, a transnational Erasmus+ project (Cooperation Partnership in the field of Youth) aimed at promoting inclusive, open and democratic leadership in the youth field. The primary goal of this research was to gather insights into existing practices and methodologies in youth leadership across different organisational contexts and European countries. This understanding will support the development of targeted project activities and tools that respond to real needs in the field.

Collaborative Development of the Research Tool:

1. Data Collection Process
2. Selection of Organisations
3. Anonymity and Ethical Considerations
4. Limitations

The 30 organisations that contributed to this research represent a wide and diverse spectrum of youth work actors across Europe. Their participation provides valuable insights into how different organisational models engage young people and foster democratic leadership practices.

Geographical Distribution:

1. Bulgaria – 6 organisations
2. Sweden – 6 organisations
3. Italy – 5 organisations
4. North Macedonia – 4 organisations
5. Spain – 3 organisations
6. Turkey – 3 organisations
7. Greece – 1 organisation
8. Lithuania – 1 organisations
9. Romania – 1 organisation

The analysis of the 30 organisational responses reveals a diverse and nuanced picture of youth leadership practices across Europe. While all participating organisations engage with young people, their methods, philosophies and structures vary significantly. The findings below are grouped by key thematic areas explored in the questionnaire.

Sections within this chapter:

1. Youth Inclusion in Organisational Structures
2. Methodologies for Participation and Leadership
3. Frequency and Nature of Youth Engagement
4. Rationale and Evolution of Youth Involvement
5. Challenges to Inclusive, Open and Democratic Youth Leadership
6. Impact of Youth Involvement
7. Evaluation and Feedback Mechanisms
8. Success Stories and Good Practices
9. Additional Insights and Contributions

The data collected from 30 diverse youth-oriented organisations across 9 countries presents a rich, multifaceted picture of youth leadership in practice. While the structures, capacities and contexts vary widely, several common themes, tensions and opportunities emerged.

Sections within this chapter:

1. Youth Leadership: Shared Values, Uneven Realities
2. Participation Is Context-Dependent
3. Effective Practices Require Support and Intentionality
4. Evaluation Practices Are Emerging but Inconsistent
5. Youth Involvement Is Transformative, when It’s Real

This research, conducted as the initial phase of a Cooperation Partnership in the field of Youth Erasmus+ project, Transformative Youth Leadership, set out to explore how youth organisations across Europe are implementing inclusive, open and democratic leadership models. The findings offer both a snapshot of current practices and a roadmap for where youth work can evolve.

Key Conclusions:

1. Youth leadership is widely valued but unevenly realised. All organisations affirmed the importance of youth participation. However, actual practices range from fully youth-led structures to more limited, consultative roles, revealing a gap between principles and implementation.
2. Structures matter. Meaningful youth involvement is strongly supported by intentional organisational design: roles, committees, training and feedback loops. Where these are missing, youth input tends to be irregular or symbolic.
3. Barriers are real and varied. Organisations face internal and external constraints, including limited resources, adult-centric mindsets, legal rigidity and social disengagement. These must be acknowledged and addressed to create enabling environments for youth leadership.
4. Youth involvement creates value. When done meaningfully, youth leadership enhances relevance, visibility, innovation and organisational culture. It also builds confidence, skills and a sense of ownership among young people themselves.
5. Evaluation and reflection need development. While many organisations gather feedback from young people, few have robust mechanisms to evaluate the depth and quality of participation. There is a shared recognition that more structured reflection could improve practice.