Danish youth group targets ‘youthwashing’ at Folkemødet political festival

A Danish youth organisation has accused institutions and companies of using young people as a symbolic presence at this year’s Folkemødet political festival on Bornholm, calling the practice youthwashing—a tactic akin to greenwashing or sportswashing.

Naima Yasin, secretary-general of the non-partisan youth organisation Saga, told public broadcaster DR that organisations frequently invite young people to attend debates as audience members without including them as panellists or decision-makers.

“It’s like greenwashing,” Yasin said. “You can’t release four clothing collections a year and still call yourself sustainable. The same logic applies when young people are in the room but not at the table. If they weren’t there at all, would it really be worse?”

Saga, which describes itself as a “non-partisan, democratic youth organisation working to engage and represent young people in democracy,” criticised the tokenistic inclusion of youth voices in discussions on topics like pensions and healthcare—areas that will directly affect future generations.

Yasin noted that many panels at Folkemødet, scheduled for 11–13 June, feature five to seven participants with an average age over 45, despite organisers reaching out to youth groups for attendees. She pointed to a May deadline for finalising event lineups, by which time most panels had already been set without young panellists.

Folkemødet’s press officer, Maria Obel Billeskov, acknowledged the issue, calling the lack of youth representation “deeply regrettable” and contrary to the festival’s principle of equal participation. She said organisers are working to improve inclusion, including waiving fees for youth-focused groups and developing a platform to connect young people with event planners.

“We recognise this and want broader, more representative participation at Folkemødet,” Billeskov said.