Spotlight on European youth policy 👦
Publications Office of the European Union
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Young people are our future. They play an essential role in driving social change and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our societies. It’s vital we ensure that they can be active in all parts of society and that we provide them with the opportunities to flourish.
When it comes to youth policy, the EU complements the action of Member States and promotes cooperation between them. The EU strives to ensure that young people’s views and needs are taken into account when it defines its policies. This is precisely the aim of the ‘youth check’ introduced by the European Commission last year, as well as the annual exchanges that all European Commissioners will organise with young people during the 2024-2029 mandate. Meanwhile, the EU Youth Dialogue allows young people to interact with policymakers on a range of topics, from rural life to sustainability, sharing their perspectives on these issues and helping shape EU policies.
Through its initiatives, the EU aims to support young people’s personal development and growth and encourages them to become active citizens. For example, the European Solidarity Corps programme offers those aged between 18 and 30 the opportunity to volunteer at home or abroad to help address societal and humanitarian challenges. Moreover, the Erasmus+ programme allows people to boost their skills by gaining professional and/or academic experience abroad.
The EU works to eradicate youth poverty and promote the social inclusion of young people. With the youth guarantee, the EU aims to ensure that all those under the age of 30 receive a good-quality job, apprenticeship, traineeship or continued education offer within 4 months of becoming unemployed or leaving education. Additionally, the aim, learn, master, achieve initiative supports people aged 18 to 29 that are not in any kind of employment, education or training to gain work experience in another Member State.
Our May newsletter puts the spotlight on European youth policy.
Enjoy the good reads!
The situation of young people in the European Union: EU youth report 2024
What do young people think is the single most serious problem the world is facing right now? This report sheds light on multiple aspects of young people’s lives in the EU today, from employment and education to health and environmental activism.
EU challenges and priorities: Young people’s views (Eurobarometer report)
This Flash Eurobarometer provides an overview of young people’s opinion on the EU’s strengths, challenges and priority areas. You can also see what they think about the state of democracy and the future of the EU.
EU education, youth and sport policy: Overview and future perspectives
This study for the European Parliament provides a comprehensive overview of the EU’s education and training, youth, and sport policy. Read about the existing and potential future challenges and opportunities, as well as recommendations for addressing them.
Get involved!
Make your voice heard: help shape the Europe you want
Young people make up one third of the European citizens’ panels, which can propose recommendations on future EU laws and initiatives. There are many ways they can help shape EU action across Europe and the world: from joining in on the Citizens’ Engagement Platform or learning about opportunities via the European Youth Portal to checking out the funding and support available for projects through the European Solidarity Corps. Find more information on opportunities for young people in the EU.
Integrating young voices in EU decision-making
Including young perspectives in EU decisions is not just desirable, it is essential for creating policies that truly represent the future of Europe. See how the European Economic and Social Committee helps ensure that the voices of young Europeans are heard in the EU decision-making process.
How adult biases impact children
Have you ever wondered what might be the origins of some of our biases? In this results pack, see the work of an EU-funded research project that’s investigating how people develop certain preconceived ideas from a young age.
In your language
My DiscoverEU companion
Check out this nifty travel companion ahead of your DiscoverEU journey across Europe. Find tips and suggestions for your trip and feel free to fill it with notes, stickers, train tickets, drawings, photos and anything else that will help you remember this extraordinary experience.
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Key figures on the EU in the world: 2025 edition
Have a look at a statistical portrait of the EU in relation to other parts of the world. Learn about people and society, the economy and trade, and the environment and natural resources. This flagship report offers an introduction to EU and international statistics, and it can be used as a starting point for exploring a broad range of data.
Division of powers: Multi-level governance structures in the EU enlargement countries
Gather insights into the distribution of competencies at each level of governance in EU enlargement countries across a broad range of policy areas. Institutional decentralisation is crucial for the health of democratic societies. This, and other relevant topics, will be discussed on 27-28 May at the Enlargement Day, the European Committee of the Regions' annual flagship event.
Our news
Calling all teachers: New game helps combat disinformation with EU resources
Discover ‘Unpacking the Truth’, an educational game designed to tackle disinformation head-on! Produced by the Publications Office of the EU and the European Commission Representation in Luxembourg, this interactive classroom activity empowers students aged 16 to 18 with critical thinking and fact-checking skills. Dive into a fictional social media post and navigate the world of false claims with the guidance of captivating EU-themed characters. Through engaging gameplay, students will learn to utilise EU resources to debunk disinformation effectively. Join the fun and help foster a generation of informed, discerning digital citizens! The game is currently available in English and French. A German-language version will be available soon.
Young people are our future, and empowering them to seize opportunities and shape Europe’s trajectory aligns with Jacque Fresco’s vision of harnessing human potential through education, innovation, and systemic redesign. Fresco emphasized equipping new generations with the tools and knowledge to rethink outdated social and economic models, enabling them to create a sustainable, equitable future, the kind of empowerment the EU’s youth policies aim to foster today. Today we commemorate Jacque Fresco: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/death-afterlife-jacque-fresco-vitali-bohush-iyrmf/
Comms and onboarding for op.europa.eu, raising awareness of the #disinformation war we are in. Helping people consider Luxembourg as a truly desirable and cosmopolitan place to work for the EU.
5moVery good overview of the challenges faced by young people and of what the EU is doing to help. Great reading recommendations! Glenn Micallef, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, Dana Spinant, Xavier Bettel, Anne Calteux, Sam Elsey, ESN, European Youth Parliament (EYP), AU-EU Youth Cooperation Hub, European Youth Forum, European Youth Press, European Young Innovators Forum, European Students' Union (ESU), AEGEE / European Students' Forum, European Liberal Youth - LYMEC, JEF Europe, International Association of Universities
retraité de la fonction publique
5moQuelle mistification à propos des jeunes quand on sait qu'ils sont confrontés aux échanges et à la concurrence internationales qui ramène les salaires aux prix les plus bas du marché !