Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

In Spain, young people have opportunities to exchange views with policy‑makers on European and global issues through a combination of structured, territorial, and issue‑specific mechanisms.

EU Youth Dialogue (national implementation)

The primary structured mechanism is the EU Youth Dialogue, coordinated by the National Working Group (NWG) led by the Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud de España, CJE) in cooperation with INJUVE, regional youth structures and youth organisations. Local and regional consultations are carried out by volunteer groups known as Youth Dialogue Embassies (Embajadas del Diálogo con la Juventud). These embassies collect young people’s views on the cycle theme and facilitate exchanges between youth and decision‑makers at regional and national levels.

Spain contributes to EU‑level exchanges through its participation in the EU Youth Dialogue, including regular European Youth Conferences. These events bring together youth delegates and policymakers to discuss cycle priorities and formulate recommendations at EU level.

For Cycle XI (2025–2026), Spain has established new Youth Dialogue Embassies (Embajadas del Diálogo 2025–2026) coordinated by INJUVE and the Spanish Youth Council, ensuring territorial participation and engagement with EU priorities such as connecting young people with democratic processes and global citizenship. 

Other national exchanges on global issues

Spain also provides ad‑hoc and thematic opportunities for young people to engage with policy‑makers on global challenges, especially climate change, where exchanges have intensified in recent years. 

For example, consultation and outreach events linked to Spain’s Generación Clima / Generación COP initiatives involve preparation workshops and dialogues with officials from MITECO, INJUVE and regional youth authorities. These interactions allow young people to present proposals on climate action, intergenerational justice and sustainability ahead of Spain’s participation in global climate summits.

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

EU‑level consultations and dialogue

The EU Youth Dialogues’ European Youth Conferences (EUYCs) — including Alicante 2023 (Spain’s Presidency), Lublin 2025 (Poland’s Presidency) and Nicosia 2026 (Cyprus’ Presidency) — bring Spanish youth delegates into direct exchanges with EU ministers and officials on topics such as inclusion, sustainability, global citizenship and European‑level responses to global challenges.

Spanish young people also contributed to the public consultation for the interim evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027 through the European Commission Have Your Say portal. The results of this consultation were incorporated into the Commission’s Interim Evaluation Report (COM(2024)162 final), which assessed the strategy’s performance, including actions related to global engagement and youth participation.

European Charter on Youth and Democracy

Spanish youth organisations participated in the co‑creation process of the European Charter on Youth and Democracy 2021, coordinated by the European Committee of the Regions and the European Youth Forum. The Charter proposes measures to strengthen civic education, inclusive participation and youth‑friendly policy‑making, including in areas linked to global and European challenges.

Youth participation in climate‑related global processes

Spain supports formal youth exchanges with policy‑makers within global climate governance. Through Generación COP29 (2024) and Generación COP30 (2025), implemented by MITECO and Fundación Biodiversidad, selected Spanish young people join Spain’s official delegations to the UN Climate Conferences (COP). Participants engage directly with national and international negotiators, present youth proposals, and act as spokespeople for the outcomes of Spain’s Local Conferences of Youth (LCOY). These initiatives provide one of the clearest examples of Spanish young people exchanging views on global issues directly with national and international policy‑makers.

International sessions hosted during COPs—for instance at the Spain Pavilion at COP29—also include youth‑policy dialogues focused on climate governance, mobilisation and intergenerational equity.

These processes also contribute to Spain’s broader climate diplomacy commitments (see Chapter 9.7).

UN‑level youth exchanges on global governance

Spanish youth also participate in UN‑level consultations and global governance processes, contributing perspectives on digital governance, sustainable development, peace and intergenerational equity. Foer example, the UN Summit of the Future in 2024, where youth delegates contributed to discussions around the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations.