SALTO Participation & Information

10/06/2026

Where does human interaction remain relevant in a world where AI is increasingly being presented as a solution for everything? What skills will communication professionals need to remain effective? Will AI take over routine tasks, leaving more space for creativity and strategic thinking? Or will it simply generate more content, more noise, and make authentic communication even harder to achieve?

These questions were at the heart of the Communication and Information Officers Staff Training (CIOST), which took place from 18–22 May in Cyprus, hosted by the Cypriot National Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ΙΔΕΠ Διά Βίου Μάθησης Erasmus+ Cyprus) in cooperation with us.

Read the full article to learn about the future of communication work in Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. 👇

Where does human interaction remain relevant in a world where AI is increasingly being presented as a solution for everything?

04/06/2026

“𝘊𝘰-𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦: 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮. 𝘐𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱, 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮. 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴; 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴; 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘴 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.” – Olga Glumac, Facilitator and systemic participatory designer.

Democratic participation is a recognised priority across Erasmus+, but how can it become a reality in everyday work?

This was one of the key reflections emerging from the third meeting of the NAs Participation Network, which brought together Participation Contact Points from the National Agencies (NAs) of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, alongside SALTO Participation and Information (SALTO PI), in Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪, from 26 to 28 May 2026.

Looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, 35 participants from 24 countries focused on how democratic participation can become more deeply embedded across Erasmus+ and how the growing network of Participation Contact Points (PCPs) can contribute to that goal.

Photos: Karoliine Aus

🔎 Read impressions from organisers and participants here:

Democratic participation is a recognised priority across Erasmus+, but how can it become a reality in everyday work?

02/06/2026

Can institutions truly share power with young people? What makes participation meaningful rather than symbolic? These were some of the key questions explored during the 𝐘𝐨𝐮(𝐭𝐡)𝟒𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, which brought together around 40 young people from 12 countries in Bonn, Germany 🇩🇪, from 15–17 May 2026.

We had a pleasure organising it together with JUGEND für Europa and the New Power in Youth (NPiY) to bring together young people involved in Youth Advisory Boards, EuroPeers International networks, steering groups and other participation structures. Over three days, they exchanged experiences, challenged institutions and developed practical ideas for strengthening youth participation in decision-making across Europe.

A major outcome of the event was the creation of the “𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”, developed collaboratively by participants during working groups.

👉 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞:

From 15 to 17 May 2026, around 40 young people from 12 countries gathered in Bonn, Germany

01/06/2026

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩! 🎬 We look back on the Participation Contact Points' 3-day in-person meeting 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬. So much co-creation, planning, peer learning and inspiration were packed into just a few days in Tallinn.

Soon, we’ll share a short article highlighting some of the key moments and takeaways.

Here's a gallery of the closing session. 📸Photos by Karoliine Aus

26/05/2026

Greetings from Tallinn, Estonia!👋🏾🇪🇪

This week, Participation Contact Points from the National Agencies across Europe come together for their 3rd in-person network meeting and today has been a day full of interaction, reflection and planning.

From 25–29 May, we are happy to host a space to exchange experiences, strengthen cooperation, reflect on the progress made since our last meeting, and shape 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐔 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐬.

Through peer learning, strategic discussions, collaboration planning, and shared reflection, the network will explore:

🟡 participation in work plans of the National Agencies
🟡 outreach, communication and capacity building
🟡 partnerships and cross-European cooperation
🟡 competencies and support structures for Participation Contact Points
🟡 the future of participation in Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps beyond 2027

Over the next days, participants will share successes and challenges, develop new collaborations, learn from one another, and build stronger connections across the network.

We will keep you posted in our channels and share some highlights in the upcoming days.



📸 Karoliine Aus

14/05/2026

We’ve opened a participation-focused hub on LinkedIn!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

This will be a hub where the team of SALTO PI, contributing experts, partners, and thought leaders from across Europe share 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, new 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬, and 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 on 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

If these topics interest you professionally or you’d like to collaborate, let’s connect! Also for anyone who’s a participation nerd or just participation-curious. 😉🤓🧠

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭! https://www.linkedin.com/company/salto-participation-information/

08/05/2026

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

The challenges? Tokenism is still common, with participation often treated as a buzzword rather than a strategic step. Many organisations also struggle to know where to begin, finding the mission too complex or time-consuming.

The Participation ABC: In Action training demonstrated how 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. The results? Better decisions, stronger trust, and fairer outcomes.

The training offered practical tools, case studies, and resources which we will share with you in this new article. These resources help National Agencies and others 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤. Whether through youth advisory boards, co-created projects, or active listening, every role can contribute.

Read the full article for inspiration, checklists, and resources to start or deepen your participation journey.

https://participationpool.eu/2026/05/07/inspiration-from-the-participation-abc-training-meaningful-participation-benefits-everyone/

04/05/2026

🎯 Democratic participation is an EU priority for 2024–2029, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬?

Many National Agencies, applicants and beneficiaries have shared similar experiences: participation is central, yet often difficult to define and recognise in Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects.

We agree – and 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐭.

In 2026, SALTO Participation & Information is 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝, building on:

🟡 recommendations from the Participation Forum (Oct 2024)
🟡 insights from focus groups with Erasmus+ and ESC stakeholders (Sept 2025)
🟡 ongoing research, monitoring and consultation across sectors

Our aim is to make participation more 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 and 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 – and to inform future Programme documents and support tools.

📢 This is the first step in a series of monthly updates where we’ll share progress and insights from this work.

To be truly prioritised and embedded within programmes, participation must first be clearly understood. We’re working to make that happen.

23/04/2026

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧.

📊 New findings from the EU Youth Participation Strategy show a stark gap: only 9.8% of participants in youth participation projects are young people with fewer opportunities, far below their representation in other Erasmus+ actions.

⚠️ Current systems still favour those already included, while structural barriers such as inaccessible formats, cost, discrimination, and unclear information continue to push others out.

Insights from Brigita Medne (former Coordinator of SALTO Participation & Information) and Henrique Gonçalves (Coordinator at SALTO Inclusion & Diversity) highlight the need for change: participation must be flexible, properly funded, and co-created with young people from the start.

Brigita and Henrique point to concrete examples. Young people with social anxiety may not feel safe speaking in groups. Others process information differently or face barriers linked to disability, mental health, trauma, discrimination, poverty, migration status or geographical isolation. Many simply do not recognise themselves in the standard formats we label as ‘participatory’, particularly when these are rigid, fast-paced or designed without accessibility in mind.

What are the problems, opportunities and next steps that help to reduce the gaps?
👇𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞!

When the team behind the EU Youth Participation Strategy reviewed recent data, something didn’t add up.

21/04/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

In this interview, Cristina Bacalso challenges a common assumption: Europe has the frameworks and strategies, but not enough real implementation. The key question is hard to ignore. Are young people genuinely influencing decisions, or are we just creating systems that 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫 participatory?

Cristina highlights growing political attention to youth participation, but also questions whether it leads to real impact. She emphasises that participation is not a method or a bonus. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, and that creates obligations for institutions.

She also offers practical ways forward, from improving how programmes work in reality to involving young people where their input matters most.

If you work with the Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps programmes, or are looking to strengthen civic participation, this is a perspective worth reading.

We spoke with Cristina about the current state of youth participation in Europe, where progress has been made, and how National Agencies and other stakeholders can take practical steps toward genuine power-sharing with young people.