Andorra Youth Assembly Approves 144K Euro 2026 Budget, Up 43%
The 20th Youth Forum Assembly in Sant Julià de Lòria passed a 144,000-euro budget for 2026, a 43,000-euro increase from 2025, funded by government.
Key Points
- Budget rises to 144,000 euros from 101,000, mainly for 30,000-euro annual participation technician.
- 116 voters aged 15-35 at Sant Julià de Lòria met 0.5% quorum of 23,100 youth.
- Added Laia Bautista and Miguel Martínez to Permanent Board; leadership elections on March 8.
- Debates on housing barriers, EU agreement effects, and non-nightlife leisure options.
The 20th Youth Assembly of Andorra's Youth Forum has approved a 2026 budget of 144,000 euros, up 43,000 euros from the 101,000 euros allocated for 2025.
Hosted at the Sant Julià de Lòria Cultural Centre, the Saturday event attracted 116 voters aged 15 to 35, satisfying the quorum of 0.5% of Andorra's approximately 23,100 young residents and nationals. Sessions started around 4pm and ran into the evening, combining budget approvals, account reviews, and discussions on youth priorities.
Outgoing president Lisa Cruz reported that 2025 accounts were almost fully spent, retaining a 5,000-euro reserve for early-year activities pending the new budget. The increase, funded by the government, mainly supports hiring a participation technician at around 30,000 euros annually to bolster technical operations and youth programs.
Participants also added Laia Bautista and Miguel Martínez to the Permanent Board as part of an internal renewal, with new leadership elections set for 8 March after publication in the Official Bulletin of the Principality of Andorra (BOPA).
Beyond votes, the assembly featured participatory activities, including the "temperature game" where attendees positioned themselves by agreement on issues like job prospects, housing emancipation barriers, and policy relevance. A surprise ludic exercise encouraged further involvement.
Debates centred on housing access challenges, the youth impacts of Andorra's EU association agreement—particularly amid recent negotiation changes—and expanding leisure beyond nightlife, such as late-night sports or cultural gatherings. These aligned with the National Youth Plan's priorities.
RTVA journalist Esther Vallès moderated for balanced input. Vice-president Isabella Vargas praised the event as a truly participatory space fostering critical citizenship, while director Anthony Francome noted it feeds into broader governance, including online voting and 2026 strategic planning. The Forum hailed the turnout and commitment to turning youth concerns into concrete proposals.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: