Models of participatory governance in universities that institutionalize youth co-decision-making: the case of the Euonair student board

Abstract

Higher education policy increasingly emphasises youth empowerment, yet governance arrangements enabling structured student co-decision-making remain rare. This study addresses the gap between symbolic representation and substantive co-governance through a case study of the EUonAIR European University Alliance, a sui generis consortium of ten institutions across eight European countries. Using institutional analysis, it examines how youth co-decision-making is operationalised across three dimensions: the formal governance framework, student agency in practice, and informal governance practices. Findings suggest that effective co-decision-making depends on formal integration within governance structures, clearly defined rotation protocols, and a dual-track model combining formal decision-making with high-frequency informal coordination. The study assesses the scalability of this model for other European University alliances and highlights the challenge of sustaining student engagement beyond the initial project cycle.