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-makingConnecting – providing opportunities for young people and youth workers to participate in learning mobilities and volunteering, and facilitating cooperation and learning among youth organisationsEmpowering – 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 actionEU Youth DialogueA forum for reflection and consultation on the follow-up of the EU Youth StrategyYouth Policy DialoguesYouth Policy Dialogues bring together young people and Commissioners to exchange views on EU policy initiativesErasmus+ Youth participation activities Non-formal and informal learning experiences for young people and youth workersEuropean Solidarity CorpsOpportunities for young people to volunteer or work on projects that benefit communities and people around EuropeErasmus for young entrepreneursEU programme that helps provide European entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start and run a small businessPresident's Youth Advisory BoardAn 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 Free DiscoverEU travel passes for young peopleDiscoverEU, part of the Erasmus+ programme, offers 18-year-olds free train travel across Europe. It’s a unique opportunity to explore Europe’s diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent. Applications for this round are open until 22 April 2026 (midday, Brussels time). Successful applicants can travel anytime between 1 July 2026 and 30 September 2027 for up to 7 days within a one-month period.Read more Latest news Speech24 April 2026Video message by President von der Leyen opening the European Youth Event 20262 min readPress release15 April 2026European Union and United Kingdom take decisive step towards Erasmus+ association in 2027Today, the European Union and the United Kingdom have enabled the UK's association to Erasmus+ in 2027.2 min readSee all Events 24-01Apr-May2026Conferences and summitsEuropean Youth Week 2026Welcome to the European Youth Week 2026, an event organised by the European Commission every second year to celebrate and promote youth engagement, participation and active citizenship all over Europe and beyond.15May2026Conferences and summitsYouth policy dialogue with Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas – The future of European tourismOn 15 May 2026, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, will host a Youth policy dialogue in Athens, Greece.See more events Related informationDirectorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and CultureDiscover EU European Youth PortalEuropean Year of Youth (2022-2023)Education and trainingCulture and media This page was last updated on 8 April 2026
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-makingConnecting – providing opportunities for young people and youth workers to participate in learning mobilities and volunteering, and facilitating cooperation and learning among youth organisationsEmpowering – supporting the development of quality youth work Find out what the EU can offer youth
Youth Policy DialoguesYouth 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 CorpsOpportunities for young people to volunteer or work on projects that benefit communities and people around Europe
Erasmus for young entrepreneursEU programme that helps provide European entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start and run a small business
President's Youth Advisory BoardAn initiative providing young people with the opportunity to meet the Commission President and share their thoughts on issues that matter to them
Free DiscoverEU travel passes for young peopleDiscoverEU, part of the Erasmus+ programme, offers 18-year-olds free train travel across Europe. It’s a unique opportunity to explore Europe’s diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent. Applications for this round are open until 22 April 2026 (midday, Brussels time). Successful applicants can travel anytime between 1 July 2026 and 30 September 2027 for up to 7 days within a one-month period.Read more
Speech24 April 2026Video message by President von der Leyen opening the European Youth Event 20262 min read
Press release15 April 2026European Union and United Kingdom take decisive step towards Erasmus+ association in 2027Today, the European Union and the United Kingdom have enabled the UK's association to Erasmus+ in 2027.2 min read
24-01Apr-May2026Conferences and summitsEuropean Youth Week 2026Welcome to the European Youth Week 2026, an event organised by the European Commission every second year to celebrate and promote youth engagement, participation and active citizenship all over Europe and beyond.
15May2026Conferences and summitsYouth policy dialogue with Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas – The future of European tourismOn 15 May 2026, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, will host a Youth policy dialogue in Athens, Greece.
