Young Europeans will have greater influence on EU policies. Building on the achievements of the 2022 European Year of Youth, the Commission announced several actions that give young people a greater say in the decisions that affect them and deepen the youth dimension in a range of EU policies – ahead of the 2024 European elections and beyond.
When designing EU policies, the European Commission will apply a ‘youth check’ which will ensure that their impact on young people is systematically factored in. This will be done by making sure that the existing Better Regulation tools, including consultations and impact assessments, are used to their maximum potential.
These tools will be complemented with several youth-specific instruments under the 2019-2027 EU Youth Strategy. Other initiatives that go hand-in-hand with the youth check include policy dialogues between young people and Commissioners, a series of dedicated youth mainstreaming roundtables and a new youth stakeholders’ platform that will facilitate a continuous exchange with youth organisations, youth researchers, Member State representatives and other EU institutions.
In addition, the Commission has put forward several concrete actions addressing young people’s concerns in five policy fields that are of key relevance for them: health and wellbeing, environment and climate change, education and training, international cooperation and European values, and employment and inclusion.
As part of these measures, the European Commission will, for example:
- Take forward the work towards a joint European degree in 2024, in line with the European Strategy for Universities;
- Set up a platform for regular dialogue and consultations with youth organisations worldwide through the Youth Dialogue Platform in EU external action;
- Update its quality framework for traineeships in 2024 to address issues including fair remuneration and access to social protection;
- Prepare guidelines on wellbeing in schools, to be published in 2024;
- Reach out to young people through the Commission’s upcoming campaign on climate and democracy ahead of the 2024 European elections;
- Increase volunteering opportunities for young people to address the green transition, by topping-up the 2024 European Solidarity Corps call from Horizon Europe.
As part of the Commission’s effort to bring the EU close to young people, the 2024 European Youth Week will take place from 12 to 19 April and will focus on democratic participation and elections, two months ahead of the European Parliament elections. The week will celebrate and promote youth engagement, participation and active citizenship through a series of activities all over Europe.
For more information
What is the European Year of Youth?
Video: Highlights of the European Year of Youth
