With the Benelux Debate Competition, we structurally strengthen the democratic engagement and civic competences of young people in Flanders. Young people under the age of 18 are not yet allowed to vote, even though public policy directly and long-term affects their lives. Therefore, we provide them with accessible opportunities to practise democratic participation, critical thinking and expressing their views. The main objectives of the project were: 1. To strengthen young people’s democratic civic competences, such as argumentation, critical thinking, active listening, teamwork and the ability to understand and engage with different perspectives. 2. To actively involve young people in democracy and policymaking by connecting them with political youth organisations and civil society partners, and by organising follow-up meetings where their ideas could be further discussed and reflected upon. 3. To facilitate exchange between Flanders and the Netherlands, enabling young people to broaden their perspectives and become acquainted with different democratic contexts within the Dutch-speaking region. 4. To strengthen debate culture in Flanders by organising debate workshops, two Flemish debate tournaments and a summer school, thereby increasing the involvement of Flemish debaters and adjudicators in the Benelux Debate Competition. Through this project, young people not only developed skills, but also experienced that their voice matters and that participation can be meaningful.