As it is stated in the report on the results of the EU Youth Conference in Rome, there are formal barriers to youth political participation in the majority of European countries at all levels, such as the lack of transparency, age-related limitations and eligibility criteria to stand for election. The statistics show that young people are more reluctant to participate in the democratic debate than other age groups, however they express a strong interest in issues which directly concern them. Thus, youth empowerment for participation in the democratic process is very important and the right to vote is a key element, particularly in terms of the recognition of the views young people express. Based on recent shared research around social inclusion, participation and empowerment issues and contacts with policy makers, following participation in the European Youth week in Brussels, our partnership of youth organisations experienced the need to actively participate in the 4th cycle of Structured Dialogue process chaired by the new Team Presidency and to contribute to the following Priority theme of Structured Dialogue in the framework of European cooperation in youth field: “youth empowerment for political participation”. The theme of this Meeting of young people and Decision-Makers in the Field of Youth was developing new constructive ways of youth empowerment and active youth participation in representative democracy through a mutually developed policy and action plan. Partner youth organisations from the UK, Bulgaria, Turkey, Belarus, Moldova, and Russian Federation working on the development of youth policies researched, exchanged practices, underwent a Transnational Youth Seminar in Turkey and worked together on encouraging active youth participation and produced an action plan for local Peer campaigners ensuring understanding of the important processes that go in hand with elections by wider networks of youth organisations, young people, and those responsible for youth policies. The Meeting between Young People and Decision-Makers in the Field of Youth put together 72 youth peer leaders from the participating partner countries and involved experts and decision-makers in the field of youth policy as direct participants. The young people chosen by the participating partners and were peer leaders/educators (aged 16-25 with some youth rights and community participation project experience committed to working directly with peer young people on issues related to youth empowerment for political participation). The main objectives of the project in accordance to the theme included: - encouraging youth empowerment for participation in representative democracy and elections and representation of their voices and views in Structured Dialogue; - offering the opportunity for the sharing of experienced peer leaders’ competences to be discussed concerning youth participation in elections at all levels and possible lowering of voting age to 16 for wider future inclusion; - encouraging young people to become active and better informed citizens in the sphere of representative democracy; - promoting further networking among participants (youth and policy makers) and our partner organisations on this particular subject. The programme of the Transnational Youth Seminar was based on non-formal learning workshops and presentations and was divided into two parts. Some presentations were given by young people to experts, youth policy-makers and Representatives of the main bodies responsible for shaping empowerment policies. Other sessions and theoretical inputs were devoted to workshops facilitated by experts and youth policy makers about youth empowerment for political participation. The learning activities were complemented with communication and social games. For youth organisations involved (and their networks) the project created opportunities to address politicians and mainstream their own agenda. Experts and youth policy makers involved in the project improved their understanding of young people’s opinions and needs for change in this field as well as supported the Structured Dialogue, emerging follow up initiatives and bridged the gap between theory and reality of youth policy making. Young people became more aware of the dynamics of the decision making processes having consequences on their life. As an outcome of the project we included representation of youth voices and inputs in Structured Dialogue of the partner governing bodies involved. There were special information sections on accessing youth to decision making and elections participation created at our youth councils that will further influence regional and National policy making towards wider youth voice representation.