From participation to co-governance: centres of vocational excellence as university–territory innovation ecosystems

Abstract

While European policy frameworks increasingly promote learner participation and stakeholder engagement, the actual integration of young people into decision-making processes remains uneven and often limited to consultative roles. Building on the potential of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) as University–Territory Innovation Ecosystems, this paper explores how such structures can foster the institutionalisation of youth co-governance across education and regional development systems. It develops a multi-level perspective connecting vocational education and training (VET), CoVEs, and universities. The paper argues that CoVEs, due to their hybrid and ecosystem-based nature, offer a strategic opportunity to bridge fragmented participation practices and to experiment with more advanced forms of co-governance. Positioned at the intersection of education, the labour market, and territorial innovation, CoVEs can extend student involvement beyond institutional boundaries, embedding youth voice into regional governance processes. Three analytical dimensions are addressed. First, governance architectures: the paper examines how participatory structures can evolve from formal representation towards shared decision-making across institutional and territorial levels. Second, digital infrastructures: it discusses how digital platforms can support inclusive and deliberative participation in curriculum co-creation and innovation strategies. Third, impact assessment: it proposes criteria and indicators to evaluate the contribution of youth co-governance to quality improvement, social innovation, and civic capacity.