Marseille, France | 9-10 November 2026

How can local communities strengthen young people’s resilience to organised crime? What role can civil society play in creating democratic alternatives in neighbourhoods facing social inequality, exclusion and criminal influence? And how can local experiences contribute to a broader European conversation on justice, inclusion and civic engagement?

These questions will be at the heart of “Youth from Working-Class Neighbourhoods and Community Associations: A Democratic Alliance Worth Recognising”, a two-day forum organised within the framework of the CHANCE Network and its EU-funded project Youth4You.

Bringing together European civil society organisations, local associations, public authorities, practitioners and community leaders, the event will take place in Marseille, France, on 9-10 November 2026. Designed as a space for dialogue, exchange and collective reflection, the forum will connect European experiences with local realities, highlighting the crucial role played by grassroots organisations in preventing organised crime and fostering youth participation.

Why Marseille?

Marseille represents a particularly significant context in which social inequalities, youth vulnerability and the challenges posed by organised crime coexist with an extraordinarily vibrant network of community organisations and civic initiatives.

Across Europe, young people are often among those most exposed to criminal exploitation and social marginalisation. At the same time, they are key actors in promoting positive social change and strengthening democratic participation. The forum aims to explore this dual reality by showcasing local experiences and connecting them with innovative practices from across Europe.

A particular focus will be placed on the social reuse of assets confiscated from organised crime, examining how these spaces can become valuable resources for youth engagement, community development and social inclusion.

Objectives of the Forum

The event seeks to:

• Strengthen connections between European and local actors working on youth engagement and crime prevention.
• Showcase inspiring initiatives developed in Marseille’s neighbourhoods.
• Promote the exchange of good practices from across Europe.
• Explore the social reuse of confiscated assets as a tool for community empowerment.
• Raise public awareness of the role of civil society in preventing organised crime and corruption.

Day One: Territory, Visibility and Encounters

The opening day will focus on discovering local realities and building connections between participants and community actors.

The morning session, hosted by the association Avec Nous in Marseille’s La Rose district, will introduce participants to the CHANCE Network, Libera, DeMains Libres and the Youth4You project. Participants will also learn more about the work carried out by Avec Nous and engage in discussions with local stakeholders, including representatives of a collective of families affected by violent crime.

In the afternoon, participants will visit local organisations active in youth work and community development, including Association Conscience, founded by community activist Amine Kessaci. These visits will offer an opportunity to explore first-hand the challenges and achievements of grassroots initiatives working in Marseille’s working-class neighbourhoods.

Public Forum at Marseille City Hall

A highlight of the first day will be a public event hosted at Marseille City Hall, open to citizens, young people and local stakeholders.

Under the theme:

“Youth, Working-Class Neighbourhoods and Organised Crime: What Civic Alternatives?”

the discussion will bring together civil society representatives, public authorities and European actors to reflect on pathways towards prevention, inclusion and community resilience.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Francesca Rispoli, President of Libera;
• Nicolas Bessone, Public Prosecutor of Marseille, specialising in organised crime and financial crime;
• Amine Kessaci, founder and president of Association Conscience;
• Fatima Mostefaoui, Deputy Mayor of Marseille responsible for crime prevention policies.

The debate will be moderated by DeMains Libres and will provide a unique opportunity for dialogue between institutions, community organisations and citizens.

Day Two: European Exchange and Collective Action

The second day will focus on sharing experiences and developing practical ideas for future action.

Expert Panel and Participatory Round Table

The morning programme will bring together practitioners, researchers, educators, journalists, NGOs and institutional representatives to discuss:

• Prevention of juvenile delinquency;
• Youth engagement and participation;
• Anti-corruption awareness;
• Participatory democracy;
• Street-level education and community outreach.

European participants will present successful initiatives from their respective countries, while representatives of the French Youth Justice Service (PJJ) will share their experience supporting young people facing vulnerability and social exclusion.

The session will prioritise dialogue and peer learning, encouraging participants to exchange experiences and identify common challenges and solutions.

Workshop on the Social Reuse of Confiscated Assets

In the afternoon, participants will take part in a practical workshop dedicated to the social reuse of confiscated assets.

Using a real case from Marseille, the workshop will explore how properties confiscated from drug traffickers can be transformed into community resources benefiting young people and local residents.

The programme will include:

• An introduction to the French framework governing the social reuse of confiscated assets;
• A discussion on opportunities and challenges for youth-oriented projects;
• A simulation of a call for proposals process;
• Collaborative group work on designing social projects for confiscated properties.

The workshop will conclude with collective presentations and feedback sessions aimed at fostering cooperation and generating new ideas.

Building Bridges Between Local and European Experiences

More than a conference or training activity, the Marseille Forum is conceived as a space where local experiences and European perspectives can meet on equal footing.

By bringing together community associations, institutions, experts and young people, the event seeks to recognise the democratic value of grassroots action and to strengthen collective responses to organised crime, corruption and social exclusion.

Through dialogue, field visits and collaborative work, participants will contribute to a shared reflection on how communities across Europe can create safer, more inclusive and more resilient futures for young people.

Participation in the public event is free and open to all interested citizens. We look forward to welcoming participants from Marseille and across Europe for two days of discussion, learning and collective action.