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 Following the European Year of Youth (2022-2023), the European Commission has committed to strengthening young people’s voices in EU policymaking by actively involving them at every stage of the decision-making process. 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 Strategy.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. 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 European Solidarity CorpsThe European Solidarity Corps offers young people (18-30) opportunities to participate in community projects across Europe and beyond, fostering positive change and personal development. Participants can engage in volunteering activities, solidarity projects, and humanitarian aid in various fields, including education, citizenship and democratic participation, environment, migration, culture and more.Read more Latest Speech23 January 2025Speech by Commissioner Šuica at the European Economic and Social Committee plenary on Youth involvement in social and civil dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region5 min readPress release29 November 2024€166 million boost to the European Solidarity Corps for youth volunteering in 2025Today, the Commission published the European Solidarity Corps call 2025 which supports the participation of young people in volunteering activities in communities across the EU and beyond.3 min readSee all Events 20Feb2025Info daysOnline Info Session: Centres of Vocational Excellence 202502-05Mar2025Political meetingsEU Youth ConferenceSee more events Related informationDirectorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and CultureDiscover EU European Youth PortalEducation and trainingCulture and media
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 Following the European Year of Youth (2022-2023), the European Commission has committed to strengthening young people’s voices in EU policymaking by actively involving them at every stage of the decision-making process.
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.
European Solidarity CorpsThe European Solidarity Corps offers young people (18-30) opportunities to participate in community projects across Europe and beyond, fostering positive change and personal development. Participants can engage in volunteering activities, solidarity projects, and humanitarian aid in various fields, including education, citizenship and democratic participation, environment, migration, culture and more.Read more
Speech23 January 2025Speech by Commissioner Šuica at the European Economic and Social Committee plenary on Youth involvement in social and civil dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region5 min read
Press release29 November 2024€166 million boost to the European Solidarity Corps for youth volunteering in 2025Today, the Commission published the European Solidarity Corps call 2025 which supports the participation of young people in volunteering activities in communities across the EU and beyond.3 min read
