DAY - Child participation takes centre stage in Rome

On 29 October 2024, the young people from #ProgettoDAY at the Press Room of the Chamber of Deputies in Rome presented the project and its child participation model.

The event showcased the DAY (Democratic Activation of Youth) project, aimed at institutionalising children and young people’s active involvement in decision-making, developed with the collaboration of Albero della Vita, Eurochild, the City of Naples, and CIDIS. The project, funded by the European Union's CERV program, has involved around 2,000 students in Naples, Italy and is now setting its sights on national and European expansion.

Piero De Luca, a member of the Italian Parliament, emphasised at the conference the project’s significance, stating, "It's important that young people have the awareness that they are leading change even before the vote. They are the drive for the improvement of our country." The project also received support from other political figures such as Cecilia Strada, Simona Flavia Malpezzi, Irene Manzi, and Chiara Braga who have underscored how deeply the commitment to youth engagement resonates across Italy’s political landscape.

Youth leaders within the DAY project have shown enthusiasm, determination, and an unwavering commitment to creating positive change. As De Luca noted “The strength of the DAY project lies in these young leaders, whose energy is helping to shape the future of their communities.”

The DAY project focuses on critical issues young citizens want to address through a structured "Youth Civic Agenda." Some of the key themes chosen by the children from the 9 schools involved include: Urban Hygiene; School Therapists; Comprehensive Sex and Relationship Education in Schools. As part of the project, a resource was produced in 9 different languages to explain how to replicate this mechanism in different cities and countries.

Further information

Watch our short documentary Changing the City

Watch the full event video-recording on YouTube or below: