Kristina Lowe
In several European countries, older generations exert strong political influence, influencing policies that frequently overlook the needs and priorities of younger citizens. This generational imbalance is particularly evident in Central Europe, where youth participation in political life is limited. The Visegrád Four, which consists of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, have introduced various initiatives aimed at promoting civic engagement, education, and social inclusion for young people through targeted youth strategies. However, despite meaningful progress supported by EU initiatives and national programs, young people continue to face challenges in ensuring their voices are represented in major policy decisions. This essay examines how each of the Visegrád countries addresses the needs and interests of its youth, evaluating their main achievements, persistent challenges, and areas where youth policy could be strengthened to promote greater inclusion and long-term social development.
Czechia has actively advanced youth engagement by implementing a variety of strategies and programs. In July 2022, Prague hosted the EU Youth Conference, bringing together young people, youth organisations, and policymakers to discuss inclusion and sustainability and help shape EU youth policies.[1] The country also supports non-formal education, volunteering, and leadership programs, such as those offered by INEX-SDA, an NGO based in Czechia that promotes international volunteering and intercultural learning through projects and educational programs that encourage tolerance, open-mindedness, and active global citizenship.[2]
Furthermore, through the Visegrad Fund, Czechia is one of the four Visegrad states that offers youth mobility and cross-border cooperation to promote democracy and civic engagement in the V4 countries and Ukraine.[3] Czechia also continues to incorporate efficient strategies used by countries with a long tradition of young people actively participating in civic and community affairs, such as the United States, in order to promote youth engagement in policy decisions.[4] However, several challenges remain in ensuring meaningful participation, equal access to opportunities, and effective implementation of youth policies.
Youth policy implementation in Czechia is often inconsistent, with insufficient monitoring and assessment of its effectiveness. The 2014–2020 National Youth Strategy was formerly introduced to encourage young people’s participation in civic and political life.[5] However, the implementation process lacked clarity, and mistakes in the audits called into question the reliability of the strategy’s outcomes.[6] Additionally, Czech youth tend to be less connected to both religion and traditional political parties compared to their peers in other Visegrád countries, reflecting a broader sense of detachment from established institutions and conventional forms of participation.[7] Overcoming these issues will require more strategic and transparent implementation of youth policies, ensuring they effectively respond to young people’s evolving needs and perspectives.
The Czech Republic can take steps to empower young citizens by continuing to adopt approaches used in the United States including, “…prioritizing civic education, youth leadership opportunities, volunteerism and community engagement grant funding.”[8] Moreover, another area for improvement is the formalization of a comprehensive strategy to boost youth participation. The upcoming post-2020 National Youth Strategy, ‘Youth Concept Note 2025–2030,’ aims to address this by promoting inclusive and meaningful engagement in education, the labour market, and public life.[9] Overall, while Czechia has made progress in supporting youth, ongoing obstacles highlight the need for reforms.
Hungary has acknowledged the importance of ensuring that young people play an active and influential role in shaping policy decisions. The National Youth Council of Hungary (NIT), established in 2012,[10] was formed as an approach to encouraging dialogue between the younger generation, NGOs, and government institutions at an international and national level.[11] Furthermore, civil society organizations such as the Square of Youth Association (SOYA), is an organization that is significant in promoting youth civic engagement among Hungarians. The NGO aims to encourage active citizenship through international exchange, learning, and dialogue with peers and decision-makers.[12] Additionally, Hungary’s participation in the Visegrad Fund supports regional cooperation and cultural exchange.[13] While these recent achievements have enabled the younger generation to engage more actively in policy decisions that will impact their future, several areas still require improvement.
Hungary’s highly centralized political system, under Viktor Orbán’s leadership, limits meaningful youth participation in political decisions, particularly on sensitive social issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, as exemplified by the 2025 Budapest Pride Ban.[14] Due to these restrictions, young people have limited influence over policies that directly affect their lives. Moreover, as media access expands, media freedom and pluralism in Hungary are increasingly under threat,[15] further limiting their ability to engage with and influence political decisions on sensitive social issues. Additionally, according to YouthWiki, civic education became a separate mandatory subject in Hungary starting in the 2023/2024 academic year.[16] However, its recent introduction means many young people still lack the skills to fully participate in political decision-making.
To tackle these shortcomings, Hungary should expand youth participation beyond state-affiliated organizations, ensuring that young people have genuine opportunities to influence policy decisions. Furthermore, enhancing civic education and incorporating practical, hands-on learning can equip youth with the knowledge and skills needed for active engagement. Promoting inclusive dialogue on sensitive social issues and safeguarding media freedom and pluralism will also empower young people to participate more fully in political and civic life.
Poland has made notable efforts to support youth development and engagement through a variety of programs targeting education, innovation, and inclusion. Poland participates in the EU Youth Dialogue, which allows young people to share their views with policymakers and engage in shaping policies that impact them.[17] Earlier this year, “…the Field of Dialogue Foundation, with support from People Powered’s Digital Democracy Accelerator launched…. the first national-level Youth Citizens’ Assembly in Poland’s history.”[18] The Assembly gathered 32 youth representatives from across Poland to debate and suggest improvements to the country’s digital policies.[19] Furthermore, youth empowerment projects such as UNICEF’s “UPSHIFT” supports young people in creating solutions for local challenges, promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.[20] Collectively, these programs demonstrate a continued commitment to providing young people with the tools and opportunities needed for meaningful civic participation.
As for youth development, several constraints still limit equal opportunities for young people within Poland. Political polarization in Poland, driven by the rivalry between the socially conservative, nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS) and the more liberal, pro-European Civic Platform (PO), has left many young people discouraged, limiting their participation in public debates and decision-making.[21]Additionally, socioeconomic and regional divides in Poland, particularly between urban, educated high earners and lower-income rural residents, also influence youth political engagement, as young people from disadvantaged or rural backgrounds often feel excluded from national politics and have fewer opportunities to participate in decision-making.[22] Overall, political and socioeconomic factors continue to limit youth engagement across Poland.
Poland could strengthen youth participation by institutionalizing consultation mechanisms in policymaking and ensuring representation of diverse socioeconomic and regional groups. Expanding access to quality education, extracurricular programs, and digital skills training would help reduce inequalities among the youth population and support civic engagement. Targeted programs for older youth, including employment, housing, and mental health initiatives, could further empower young people and increase their involvement in society.
Guided by the National Youth Strategy 2021–2028, Slovakia has advanced youth development by setting concrete objectives to support education, skills, and civic involvement.[23] The country has also strengthened vocational and secondary education programs, improving access to practical training and career pathways for adolescents.[24] Additionally, civil society organizations and NGOs, such as ADEL Slovakia, support youth development and civic engagement through education, volunteering, and local and international projects.[25] These efforts collectively reflect Slovakia’s commitment to supporting the growth, well-being, and participation of young people.
Nevertheless, obstacles persist. Limited government resources and weak coordination have resulted in inconsistent implementation of youth policies. A 2024 audit by Slovakia’s Supreme Audit Office found that youth policies were poorly implemented, with only one Ministry of Education employee handling the entire youth agenda and no designated coordinator for the National Youth Strategy.[26] Mental health support for adolescents also remains insufficient, with schools often lacking psychologists and counselling services.[27] Furthermore, Slovakia does not have a standalone national strategy for youth participation, and as a result, mechanisms at both local and national levels remain weak and inconsistent, limiting young people’s opportunities to contribute to decision-making and public life.[28]
Slovakia could enhance youth development by clearly defining institutional responsibilities and strengthening coordination between ministries to ensure more effective policy implementation. Additionally, expanding school-based mental health and counselling services and revitalizing youth councils at both local and national levels would further support adolescents’ well-being and civic engagement. By strengthening youth councils, improving mental health services, and clarifying government responsibilities, Slovakia could empower young people to have a real voice in decisions that impact their education, employment, and civic life, while creating skills that allow them to contribute more actively to their communities.
The Visegrád countries, composed of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, have made significant progress in promoting youth development through national strategies, NGO initiatives, and EU-supported programs that encourage education, civic engagement, and social inclusion. Yet persistent challenges remain, including uneven policy implementation, limited mental health support, political polarization, and weak participation mechanisms that restrict young people’s influence on decision-making. Strengthening institutional coordination, expanding targeted support, and creating meaningful opportunities for civic and political engagement would empower youth to shape policies affecting their lives and create more inclusive, resilient, and participatory societies across the region.
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[27] SAO. “Gambling with Children’s Minds: Slovakia Lacks Psychologists and Clear Rules – SAO – SR,” September 3, 2025. https://www.nku.gov.sk/en/web/nku-en/-/gambling-with-children-s-minds-slovakia-lacks-psychologists-and-clear-rules
[28] Europa.eu. “5.5 National Strategy to Increase Youth Participation,” July 10, 2025. https://national-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu/youthwiki/chapters/slovakia/55-national-strategy-to-increase-youth-participation
