Empowering Youth Voices from Croatia: Youth, Democracy, and the Power of Participation

In the new episode of the #REACHingCitizens podcast, we talk with Andro Demiri, a law student and young activist from Rijeka, who took part in a local consultation in Rijeka and a national consultation in Zagreb as part of the REACH project. Andro shares what motivated him to participate, how he experienced the discussions on the rule of law, the environment, and the European Union, and how he views the potential of mandatory voting as a way to increase citizens' political participation. He places special emphasis on the role of young people in democratic processes, the importance of civic education and engagement, and the challenges youth face today – from apathy to a lack of opportunities – while also highlighting Rijeka as a community that offers many opportunities for young people. Through his own experience in the European Youth Parliament of Croatia and his collaboration with numerous organizations, Andro shares insights into how participation can become a part of everyday community life.