Young people across Wales will have new opportunities to engage directly with their elected representatives, thanks to a three-year programme funded by the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government’s Democratic Engagement Grant provides £400,000 annually to support sustained, community-rooted engagement, and strengthen long-term democratic participation. Since its launch in February 2023, it has supported 30 organisations delivering 42 projects across Wales.

One of these organisations, The Politics Project, has recently been awarded £357,060 across three financial years, to deliver several different activities to connect young people with the politicians that represent them.

Its flagship Digital Dialogue programme facilitates conversations between school pupils with local councillors, Members of the Senedd, MPs through regular, interactive sessions.

They are also delivering annual Leader Dialogue events, giving students a rare opportunity to put questions directly to national political figures, as well as training and support for schools and colleges to organise and arrange youth hustings, for their students, for the 2026 Senedd Elections.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant said: “Democracy thrives when young people are empowered to ask questions, challenge ideas, and see themselves reflected in decision-making.

“This programme is a powerful step toward building lifelong civic engagement and ensuring every voice in Wales is heard.”