The General Prosecutor's Office issued Directive 020 of 2025 to urge mayors, governors, and the national government to form, install, and appoint Youth Councils across the country. This follows the elections on October 19, 2025, and sets a maximum deadline of January 19, 2026, for mayors. The aim is to ensure that elected youth, including representatives from ethnic, rural, and victim communities, can perform their roles.
Directive 020 of 2025, issued by the General Prosecutor's Office, aims to ensure effective youth involvement in public management. Following the October 19, 2025 elections, which selected councilors including those with special seats for ethnic, rural, and victim communities, local authorities must act swiftly.
Municipal and local mayors have until January 19, 2026, to appoint these councilors. The councils serve as autonomous mechanisms for participation and oversight of public management, targeting individuals aged 14 to 28. The directive requires administrative measures for their operation, such as providing physical spaces and budgetary resources, and submitting copies of acts to the Vice Ministry of Youth and the National Registry within 30 days.
At the departmental and national levels, governors and the government must form the Departmental Councils and the National Youth Council. It mandates at least two annual sessions of the Government Council with youth councilors to discuss territorial agendas. The national government will report appointments to the Prosecutor's Office within one month.
Oversight is assigned to ombudsmen, regional prosecutors, and the Electoral Youth Work Team (EJE) under the Delegate Prosecutor's Office for Electoral Affairs and Democratic Participation. Non-compliance is deemed a disciplinary offense under the General Disciplinary Code, potentially leading to sanctions for public officials.
