Giving young people a stronger voice in EU policymaking
As announced by President von der Leyen in her political guidelines, the Commission has set up the President’s Youth Advisory Board.
It advises the President on issues that matter most to young people, shares their perspectives on policies developed by the Commission, and puts young people at the heart of EU policymaking.
On 22 July 2026, young representatives from across the EU, as well as observers from candidate and potential candidate countries, will meet with the President to discuss the future youth policy priorities beyond 2027.
This second meeting comes after the release of the report by the Special Panel on child safety online to which the members of the President’s Youth Advisory Board participated and contributed their recommendations.
How does it work?
The President’s Youth Advisory Board brings together more than 30 young representatives, one from each EU Member State’s National Youth Council, one from the European Youth Forum, and observers from candidate countries and potential candidates for EU accession.
They meet with the President to exchange views on issues that significantly impact young people.
The first meeting of the President’s Youth Advisory Board was held on 3 December 2025 and focused on online safety and well-being. Participants discussed young people’s use of social media, its opportunities and risks, including impacts on mental health, emerging trends, and the digital age of majority.
Why does it matter?
Supporting young people is at the centre of the Commission’s action. We want to empower them with greater freedom, more opportunities and responsibilities within our societies. It is essential that their voices are heard, so that their lived experience and perspective can inform our work.
Through the Youth Advisory Board, young people are now in a direct dialogue with the Commission President. This puts young citizens at the centre of our democracy, and ensures that EU policies reflect their hopes and concerns.
How we are making young voices count
The President’s Youth Advisory Board builds on the work of previous initiatives aimed at actively involving young people in EU policymaking.
Each Commissioner organises an annual Youth Policy Dialogue, where they meet young people across the EU to talk about a wide variety of topics, ranging from housing and climate to skills and health. These dialogues give young people a chance to talk directly to decision-makers and ensure that their voices are taken into account when policies are made.
The Commission has also introduced a "youth check" to assess the impact of EU policies on young people during the design stage of policymaking, ensuring that youth needs and perspectives are integrated from the beginning.
This page was last updated on 17 July 2026