The overall aim of the project was to strengthen meaningful youth participation in democratic life at local and regional level in Cyprus, in line with the objectives of the Erasmus+ Programme and, more specifically, Youth Participation Activities. It was designed to provide young people with the right, the means, the space and the opportunity to actively engage in and influence decision-making processes affecting their lives through formal participatory mechanisms, particularly Municipal and Community Youth Councils (MCYCs). The project was developed in response to documented challenges in youth participation in Cyprus identified through European and national data, including Flash Eurobarometer 502 on Youth and Democracy and the outcomes of the EU Youth Dialogue. These highlighted low youth engagement, limited number of MCYCs insufficient awareness of participation mechanisms and lack of trust in formal political structures. Building on the Conference on the Future of Europe, the outcomes of the 9th and the thematic priority 10th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue, the European Year of Skills, and the Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, the project aligns with the EU Youth Strategy and the National Youth Strategy of Cyprus, addressing Youth Goals 9 (Space and Participation for All) and 3 (Inclusive Societies). In this context, the first objective was to map the existing MCYCs in Cyprus, documenting their structures, modes of operation, levels of cooperation with local authorities and existing challenges. Through this process, the project aimed to identify and document best practices in youth participation at local and regional level and to bring together existing councils in order to establish a networking platform for dialogue, where they could exchange ideas, share good practices, and collaboratively initiate proposals to strengthen youth engagement in local governance. The second objective was to strengthen the capacities of young people involved in MCYCs and to support the establishment of new councils. Based on the mapping results, the project aimed to design and implement training workshops using non-formal learning methods. These workshops would provide young people with the necessary knowledge, skills and competences to establish, operate and sustain local youth councils, collaborate effectively with local authorities, fulfil their advisory role, and promote the views and needs of young people within local decision-making processes. It was also vital to secure the sustainability and strengthen the political, administrative and financial autonomy and independence of the MCYCs and to empower them to identify problems, monitor and promote legislation relevant to the interest and needs of youth. To support further dialogue and policy impact, the project sought to organise a 3-day conference involving MCYCs, young people, youth experts, local authorities and decision-makers, providing space to discuss common needs, challenges and to develop a policy document for enhancing youth participation in local governance. The conference was conceived as the first step towards sustained cooperation between youth councils in developing democratic, inclusive and prosperous societies beyond the project’s duration. Overall, the project aimed to promote youth participation as an essential element of democratic, inclusive and resilient societies, in line with the EU Youth Strategy principles of Engage, Connect and Empower. It encouraged the active and inclusive participation of young people in democratic life through MCYCs, creating the conditions for meaningful, effective and impactful civic and political engagement, including for young people with fewer opportunities. By actively involving participants in the design, implementation and evaluation of activities, and by providing targeted focus groups, training workshops and a policy-oriented conference, the project empowered young people with the knowledge, skills and space to express their views, engage in dialogue with decision-makers and contribute to the EU Dialogue process, while strengthening MCYCs as accessible contact points fostering sustained cooperation between youth and local authorities lasting beyond the project.