The ‘Empowering Youth Voices’ project was implemented by the Municipality of Valongo with the main aim of promoting more active and meaningful participation by young people in local decision-making processes. This project came about as a response to a challenge launched by a group of young people interested in youth participation issues, demonstrating the municipality's commitment to supporting initiatives led by young people themselves. By implementing this project, the Municipality of Valongo has taken a proactive role in revitalising local democracy, placing young people at the centre of this process of renewal. The municipality recognised that youth participation is not only beneficial for young people themselves, but is essential for the vitality and sustainability of democracy as a whole. The main objectives of the project were: - To increase the participation of young people in local decision-making processes and their sense of belonging, whether through more active participation in youth associations or specific causes, through active participation in the Valongo Municipal Youth Council, or through more traditional mechanisms of party participation. - Create opportunities for dialogue with decision-makers through a combination of opportunities for participation in real contexts (e.g. participation in parish council and town hall sessions) and electronic participation (e.g. electronic assemblies). - Empowering young people to participate through the implementation of 5 meetings to develop competences for participation, as well as the development of projects to encourage other young people to participate. - Contributing to the creation and strengthening of support networks for young people by extending the contacts made through the project itself with technicians, political decision-makers at local, regional and national level, as well as young people already involved in youth participation structures (such as FNAJ, FAJDP, CNJ). - Raising young people's awareness of equality issues in the national, European and international context through the inclusion of content and speakers/influencers who can support this process, in a language that appeals to young people. In short, the ‘Empowering Young Voices’ project was conceived as a catalyst for a broader change in local democratic dynamics, putting young people at the centre of the decision-making process that affects their present and future, and contributing to a more participatory, inclusive and sustainable society.