From Protest to Participation: Fostering Democratic Agency in Young People
How educators, civil society, and policymakers can empower youth as active shapers of democratic life.
Democratic agency in young people is a core mission of project DEMOCRAT.
In recent years, the world has witnessed a surge in student-led movements, addressing issues from environmental concerns to political conflicts. These protests highlight a growing desire among youth to shape their future, yet they often face suppression or marginalization by state machinery. This pattern points to inadequacies in democratic platforms or a lack of awareness among youth about existing avenues for participation.
Democratic agency refers to the ability of individuals—especially young people—to actively shape the civic and political life of their communities. It goes beyond traditional activism, encompassing voting, organizing, policymaking, and civic leadership as integral tools for democracy’s evolution.
Following are some of the recent youth led movements across geographies as case studies of youth asserting their democratic agency.
- Environmental Activism – India – Anti-Deforestation Protests in Hyderabad (March–April 2025)
In March and April 2025, students in Hyderabad, India mobilized against the state government’s deforestation drive in the city’s eco-sensitive zones. The protests involved campus walkouts, online campaigns, hunger strikes and sit-ins. While the state defended the development agenda, student pressure prompted the Supreme Court to issue a stay on tree felling, signalling the impact of youth-led environmental activism on local governance. This case reflects the growing environmental consciousness among youth and their willingness to engage in democratic processes to address ecological concerns.
- Challenging Corruption – Serbia – Anti-Corruption Protests in Niš (2024–2025)
Following the collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad’s railway station in November 2024—an accident that killed 15—students across Serbia launched mass protests against state corruption and negligence. The protest wave, drew support from all sections of society and culminated in the resignation of the Serbian Prime Minister, demonstrating the power of student-led movements to catalyze political accountability at the national level.
- Defending Constitutional Rights – South Korea – Protests Against Presidential Overreach (2024–2025)
In December 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law—widely seen as a move to suppress opposition—ignited widespread protests across South Korea, in which students and young citizens played a pivotal role. The protests continued into early 2025, amplifying public and institutional pressure. On April 4, 2025, the Constitutional Court unanimously removed Yoon from office, underscoring the role of sustained student mobilization in defending democratic norms.
- Demand for fiscal justice and governmental accountability – Kenya – Youth-Led Protests Against Finance Bill (June–July 2024)
In mid-2024, Kenyan youth, particularly Generation Z, organized nationwide protests opposing the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed significant tax increases on essential goods and services. Utilizing social media platforms for coordination, the protests began peacefully but escalated after the bill’s passage on June 25, leading to the storming of Parliament and resulting in multiple casualties. In response, President William Ruto withdrew the bill on June 28. These events highlighted the influential role of young citizens in advocating for fiscal justice and governmental accountability.
To foster democratic agency, education must move beyond rote learning to experiential civic engagement. Schools should integrate real-world issues into curricula, support student organizations advocating for change, and prioritize participatory governance models. Programs like internships in public service, local government, community-based and activist organisations can equip students with practical democratic skills.
The challenge is not just to recognize young people’s protest, but to support their sustained participation in public life. But participation is not one-size-fits-all. Democratic engagement must also be intersectional, acknowledging how caste, class, gender, geography, and ability shape who gets heard and who gets left behind. By creating inclusive, accessible structures that reflect young people’s diverse realities, we can build a culture where democratic agency is not the exception for the few, but the norm for the many.
Young people are already shaping democracy through activism and advocacy. To sustain their impact, educators must foster democratic thinking through practice; civil society must invest in youth-led initiatives; and policymakers must respond with reform rather than repression. The question never was whether youth belong in democratic life—it’s whether our systems of democratic participation and decision-making systems are ready to evolve alongside them.
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