In 2025, Local Collective focused on strengthening the substantive and strategic position of young people in local democratic processes. In earlier years, the main focus was on building and professionalising the network. This year, the focus shifted more towards the deepening of knowledge: how do we make sure youth participation does not only take place, but actually has an impact on policy? The project therefore focused on increasing the real influence of young people’s input, especially in municipal and provincial decision-making. To support this, we worked with three main objectives, which matched the momentum around youth participation in 2025. First, we wanted to better prepare young people to take part effectively in local policy processes, including by strengthening their knowledge of democratic procedures, lobbying and strategic cooperation. Second, we wanted to improve the quality of youth participation by working on the conditions needed for meaningful youth participation to be structurally embedded. To do this, we first carried out an impact study. We then combined the results with other NJR methods (the “building blocks”) and, for example, legal research on meaningful youth participation. Young people took this knowledge back to their own regions and shared it not only within their own networks, but also with local authorities. We also paid specific attention to young people who do not identify with more traditional youth councils, for example through open consultations and informal participation options. Third, we wanted to contribute to the long-term embedding of meaningful youth participation, including in the run-up to the 2026 municipal elections and in light of the Dutch Act on strengthening participation at decentralised level. One concrete way we did this was by widely sharing the model motion “Give young people a place at the coalition negotiation table.” In this way, the project connected clearly to Youth Goals 9 (space and participation for all), 3 (inclusive societies), and 4 (information and constructive dialogue), with a clear focus on equality, ownership and an inclusive democracy.