Perspectives for youth participation at the European Youth Week 2026

By Vincenzo Pelagalli, Secretary of IWA YWP Italy

On 24 April, I had the privilege of representing the International Water Association (IWA) Young Water Professionals (YWP) community at the kick-off event of the European Youth Week 2026 (EYW2026) in Brussels, joining more than 1,000 young participants from across Europe. This opportunity was made possible through my engagement as an active member of the IWA YWP Italy Chapter, demonstrating how involvement within the IWA community can open doors to unique international experiences, high-level policy discussions, and meaningful global connections.

Marking the 30th anniversary of volunteering in Europe, young students, researchers, professionals, volunteers, and changemakers gathered to focus on the theme “Solidarity and Fairness”. Hosted at the European Parliament, the event created a vibrant space for dialogue on some of the most pressing challenges facing our generation, such as affordable housing, quality jobs, cost of living, climate change, sustainability, and the future of the bioeconomy.

This diverse group of professionals convened at the European Parliament with one mission: “to shape Europe’s future”, according to Ursula Von Der Layen and Roberta Metsola’s video messages screened in the Hemicycle. A silent question immediately filled that room full of young minds: “How are we supposed to do that?” 

“Inexperience, realism, dreams, fresh perspectives”. This is the recipe, this is the strength of the youth, according to Lars Westra, 19-year-old EU Youth Delegate to the United Nations. As YWPs, we know how brilliant our generation can be, and we know how much energy we bear in our hearts, but is this enough? According to Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA”’s International Secretary, Yulija Ralko, youth are aware of climate change, although we do not have access, and we are not engaged where it matters. Her incitement not to wait for any invitation from the system to act for a change resounded as a real battle cry: “You don’t need permission!” 

Youth engagement quickly emerged as one of the central themes of the day. During the roundtable “Meaningful Youth Participation in Action!”, hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the IWA YWP Community was invited to contribute alongside youth representatives and experts from across Europe. Discussions highlighted several barriers to meaningful participation, including limited long-term financial support and the frequent misunderstanding or underrepresentation of young people’s perspectives within decision-making spaces. At the same time, the session reinforced the importance of empowering youth to move from consultation to genuine participation and leadership.

Water and sustainability perspectives were present throughout the entire event. Representatives and volunteers from initiatives such as the EU Bioeconomy Ambassadors, the Youth4Ocean Forum, and Generation Climate Europe demonstrated the strong interconnections between water, climate, energy, food systems, and environmental resilience. Conversations with passionate young participants from across Europe highlighted how shared concerns can become the foundation for collaboration, innovation, and long-term impact.

Participating in the European Youth Week 2026 was an enriching personal experience and a valuable reminder of the role that international professional communities such as IWA can play in empowering young people. The event reflections strongly resonated with the values of the IWA YWP Community, where young professionals are continuously contributing innovative ideas, technical expertise, and collaborative approaches to global water challenges. Through active engagement in the IWA YWP Italy Chapter and the wider global IWA network, young water professionals can access opportunities to connect local action with international dialogue, contribute to high-level conversations, and help shape a more sustainable and inclusive future.