Youth

What the EU does

The EU and its Member States work together to support young people, as outlined in the EU Youth Strategy, which focuses on 3 core areas of action:

Engaging – encouraging young people to be active in society and participate in decision-making
Connecting – providing opportunities for young people and youth workers to participate in learning mobilities and volunteering, and facilitating cooperation and learning among youth organisations
Empowering – supporting the development of quality youth work

Find out what the EU can offer youth

Young people in the EU

64%

have participated in non-profit organisations’ activities in the past 12 months

48%

have taken action to change society (signing a petition, participating in a rally, or writing to a politician)

74%

believe their education has equipped them with the necessary digital skills to identify disinformation

^Source:^{Eurobarometer on Youth and Democracy}^{, 2024}

Areas of action

EU Youth Dialogue

A forum for reflection and consultation on the follow-up of the EU Youth Strategy

Youth Policy Dialogues

Youth Policy Dialogues bring together young people and Commissioners to exchange views on EU policy initiatives

Erasmus+ Youth participation activities

Non-formal and informal learning experiences for young people and youth workers

European Solidarity Corps

Opportunities for young people to volunteer or work on projects that benefit communities and people around Europe

Erasmus for young entrepreneurs

EU programme that helps provide European entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start and run a small business

President's Youth Advisory Board

An initiative providing young people with the opportunity to meet the Commission President and share their thoughts on issues that matter to them

Key achievements

Erasmus+, one of the EU's most successful initiatives, has provided millions of young people with opportunities to study, train, volunteer, and work abroad, fostering intercultural exchange and skills development.
Through initiatives such as the European Year of Youth, European Youth Week and the European Youth Portal, the EU has encouraged young people to engage in civic activities, elections, and policymaking.
With the 'Youth Check', the EU aims to ensure that EU policies consider the impact on young people during the policy design phase.
The EU Youth Stakeholders Group includes youth organisations, national youth councils, youth researchers, representatives of Member States and EU institutions. The group helps to exchange knowledge and good practices, facilitate the ‘Youth Check’ process, convey young people's needs and serves as a sounding board for joint initiatives that benefit young people.
Through Youth Dialogues, young people actively participate in shaping EU policies with decision-makers at national and EU levels.

In focus

Photo session for COMM A2 Youth Catalogue – Studio photos

Empower your future: share your ideas and shape tomorrow

We're creating a space where your ideas matter. The Commission recently opened a new round of discussions with young people around the EU. Now they're looking for your point of view. Check out the 34 topics: from housing to train travel, from climate to peace. Voice your feedback today. Get involved and have an influence over future policy discussions.