EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 24.3.2025

SWD(2025) 73 final

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT

Accompanying the document

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions

on the implementation of the EU Youth Strategy (2022-2024)

{COM(2025) 117 final} - {SWD(2025) 72 final}

Contents

INTRODUCTION    

1    LEGACY OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH    

2    ENGAGE    

2.1    Youth participation in society    

2.2 Youth mainstreaming    

2.3 Youth employment and skills    

3    CONNECT    

3.1    Youth mobility and volunteering    

3.2    Youth and the digital world    

3.3    Communicating about the EU Youth Strategy    

4    EMPOWER    

4.1    Quality youth work    

4.2    Social inclusion    

4.3    Health and well-being    

4.4    Education and training    

4.5    Culture    

4.6    Environment, climate and energy    

5    YOUTH-LED INITIATIVES AND ACTIONS    

6    COOPERATION NEEDS AT NATIONAL LEVEL    

7    BEYOND THE EU: the Youth Action Plan in EU external action    

7.1    Neighbourhood    

7.2    Other parts of the world    

8    Monitoring and data    

8.1    Insights into EU spending on youth    

8.2    Key indicators and data    

9    Annexes    

INTRODUCTION

The EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 (the EUYS) is the framework for EU cooperation in the youth field and is based on a Council Resolution of 18 December 2018  1 . The EUYS fosters youth and youth worker exchanges, and young people’s participation in democratic life, in line with Article 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 2 , supports their social and civic engagement and aims to ensure that all young people have the necessary means to participate in society.

The EUYS engages, connects and empowers young people 3 , and advances youth participation and youth mainstreaming across policy areas. It encourages the development of youth policies, in synergy with other policies that target young people (e.g. health and well-being, the environment and climate, education and training, international cooperation and European values, employment and inclusion) to help achieve the 11 European Youth Goals  4 which were jointly developed with young people. The European Youth Goals are coherent with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 5 which, by emphasising that the needs of the current generation should be met without jeopardising those of future generations, has been a key driver for increased youth engagement in EU policy development.

The EUYS operates in three-year work cycles, at the end of which the European Commission reports on the implementation and progress in a triennial EU Youth Report. The EU Youth Report 2024, accompanied by two staff working documents, is the second report under the current EUYS and covers 2022 to2024. The priorities are set by the Council together with the Commission in EUYS work plans, spanning two Council presidency trios. The overarching thematic priority for 2022-2024 was ‘Engaging together for a sustainable and inclusive Europe’ 6 .

The implementation of the EUYS relies on the open method of coordination 7 and the commitment of all stakeholders to work towards the common objectives and priorities and to have an impact at different levels. The EUYS is supported by a range of instruments 8 , which are mainly funded by the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes (e.g. the EU Youth Dialogue, the European Youth Portal and the European Youth Work Agenda).

The European Year of Youth 2022 brought the EU closer to young people. It boosted youth participation and accelerated cross-sector cooperation in the youth field in line with the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy. The Commission Communication on the European Year of Youth 2022 9 , adopted in January 2024, sets out priority actions to give young people a greater say in the decisions that affect them and deepen the youth dimension across a range of EU policies of relevance to them.

The Commission Report on the Interim evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 10 , adopted in April 2024, complemented the Communication on the European Year of Youth. It echoed priority actions on youth participation and youth mainstreaming, and set out how EU cooperation tools can be mobilised to support further progress at EU and national levels.

This staff working document presents the main developments and examples of activities in the implementation of the EUYS between 2022 and2024, highlighting the follow-up of the European Year of Youth legacy activities and of the results of the EUYS evaluation (Section 1); and is then organised by the three core areas of Engage (Section 2), Connect (Section 3) and Empower (Section 4); followed by youth-led initiatives and actions (Section 5), national policy priorities and EU cooperation needs (Section 6), the international dimension in beyond the EU (Section 7) and monitoring and data (Section 8).

1LEGACY OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH 

In its Communication on the 2022 European Year of Youth, the Commission put forward 60 actions that give young people a stronger role in EU policymaking and deepen the youth dimension in a range of EU policies. The Council Conclusions on the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022 11 , adopted in May 2024, called on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to promote and support youth mainstreaming across policy areas, to strengthen the quality, visibility and outreach of the EU Youth Dialogue, to put in place the new EU Youth Stakeholders Group, and to pursue further efforts to communicate about opportunities via the European Youth Portal.

As part of a wider commitment of the Commission to give young people greater freedom and responsibility within the EU’s societies and democracies, and as announced by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her Political Guidelines for the European Commission 2024-2029 12 , the Commission will set up a President’s Youth Advisory Board with young people from all Member States to advise the Commission President on issues that matter to young people and peers in their community and to act as sounding board for ideas developed by the Commission. Furthermore, all Commissioners will organise Youth Policy Dialogues every year to make sure that young people can use their voice to help shape Europe’s future. 13  ‘In December 2024, a symbolic visit by European Commissioner Brunner to the Schengen Lyzeum in Germany marked the first Youth Policy Dialogue under the new Commission’s mandate. The dialogue aimed to encourage open discussions with young people on pressing issues, including free movement, migration, and internal security. Commissioner Brunner discussed the EU's commitments to safe and secure borders, fair migration policies, and the importance of safeguarding migrants' rights 14 .

·Youth check

As part of the follow up of the European Year of Youth, the Commission committed to using the full potential of the Better Regulation framework to apply a youth check on the EU initiatives with significant youth-relevance, starting withthe Commission’s 2025 annual work programme 15 .

This addressed the invitation to the Commission in the 2023 Council Conclusions on promoting youth mainstreaming and the 2024 Council Conclusions on inclusive societies, to explore and further analyse the use of regulatory youth impact assessment mechanisms, to ensure that the Commission’s existing Better Regulation tools are used to their fullest 16 .

The EU Youth Stakeholders Group will facilitate the ‘youth check’ process, in particular consultations of young people, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

·EU Youth Dialogue

The EU Youth Dialogue (EUYD) is also used as a mainstreaming instrument. For instance, consultations at national level and at the EU Youth Conference will cover any policy topic chosen by young people, including, for example, mental health, public transport and digitalisation. As outlined in the Communication on the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022, work is currently underway to improve communication on the EUYD. This includes a re-vamp of the European Youth Portal, a social media campaign and an explanatory video.

In addition, the Commission is also exploring ways to align the EUYD more closely with the Commission’s annual work programme. Consultations with youth stakeholders on the path towards a European Degree 17 (a joint degree based on common European criteria) took place online in February 2024 and at a workshop as part of the EU Youth Conference in March 2024. In addition, a consultation on the next generation on the EU youth programmes was held at the EU Youth Conference in Budapest in September.

The evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy recommended creating more synergies with other youth participation instruments (e.g. the EU Children’s Participation Platform) at EU and national level for visibility, and to make joint efforts to involve young people and youth representatives with the help of civil society organisations and networks. The European Youth Portal will contribute to raising awareness of and create links between the EU Youth Dialogue and other participation initiatives such as the EU Children’s Participation Platform.

·Policy dialogues with Commissioners

There were 26 policy dialogues with Commissioners during the European Year of Youth 18 .

As a follow to one of the main flagship initiatives of the European Year of Youth, Vice President Margaritis Schinas and Commissioner Iliana Ivanova hosted policy dialogues as part of the European Youth Week 2024. The topic of the Policy Dialogue with Vice President Schinas was 'Our European way of life’ and the topic with Commissioner Ivanova was the ‘European Degree and Learning Mobility’. The dialogues covered a range of topics pertinent to the European elections, which were upcoming at that time. These topics included lowering the voting age, climate action, European values, education and mobility, and demonstrated the EU’s commitment to engaging with its young people.

In her Political Guidelines for the European Commission 2024-2029 19 , the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would ask all Commissioners to organise their first annual Youth Policy Dialogues within the first 100 days of the mandate and that these dialogues would be repeated every year.

·EU Youth Stakeholders Group

During the European Year of Youth 2022, the Commission set up a stakeholders and national coordinators group, which included representatives from EU institutions, Member States and stakeholders in the field of youth. This network fostered cooperation between EU and national policymakers and youth representatives and helped bring the EU closer to young people.

To maintain and build on this achievement, the Commission committed to launch an EU Youth Stakeholders Group. The aim of this Group is to engage European youth organisations, national youth councils, youth researchers, representatives of Member States and other EU institutions in implementing the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022 and the 2019-2027 EU Youth Strategy, and to facilitate exchanges and youth consultations on forthcoming EU policy initiatives.

The Group will:

·exchange knowledge and good practices in engaging, connecting, and empowering young people and in implementing the 2019-2027 EU Youth Strategy and its instruments, including the EU Youth Dialogue;

·facilitate the ‘youth check’ process, in particular the consultations of young people, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders;

·help improve understanding of the needs and concerns of young people and youth organisations, in their diversity and at multiple levels and

·serve as a sounding board and an incubator of ideas and actions leading towards joint initiatives to the benefit of young people.

On 9 July, 2024, the Commission published a call for European youth organisations interested in becoming members of the EU Youth Stakeholders Group. Member States were invited to nominate a national representative to the Group and to extend an invitation to their national youth council to nominate a representative. The European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee also nominated representatives.

The EU Youth Coordinator will chair the EU Youth Stakeholders Group.

·Interim evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy

The Commission carried out an interim evaluation of the EUYS 20 , supported by an external study 21 and including consultations of stakeholders, young people and the public. In essence, the evaluation found 22 that the EUYS has been effective and remains relevant as a framework for cooperation on youth, youth participation and youth mainstreaming, and in relation to the many challenges facing young people. The main areas for improvement echo priority areas of the European Year of Youth’s legacy, in particular further accelerating youth mainstreaming and strengthening inclusive youth participation.

The evaluation proposed ways forward to enhance the EUYS’ impact by boosting some of its instruments, such as strengthening the EU Youth Dialogue, and implementing the youth check in EU policymaking. It also stressed the importance of involving young people and stakeholders in the preparation and design of the next EU Youth Strategy beyond 2027.

·EU Youth Strategy work plan 2025-2027

In November 2024, the Council approved a resolution on the EU Youth Strategy work plan, which presents the main priorities and actions to be implemented from 2025 to 2027 23 . The Council invited the Commission to ensure cross-sectoral internal consultation in the early stage of designing of the next EU Youth Strategy in line with the Communication on the legacy of the European Year of Youth. Doing so will ensure youth mainstreaming across all policy areas.

2ENGAGE 

2.1Youth participation in society 

·EU Youth Dialogue

The EU Youth Dialogue (EUYD)  24 is the largest EU-level participatory instrument for involving young people in policymaking. It is a dialogue with young people and youth organisations, involving policymakers and decision-makers, as well as experts, researchers and other relevant civil society actors. It serves as a forum for continuous joint reflection and consultation on the priorities, implementation and follow-up of the EUYS. It is organised in 18-month cycles, each led by the respective Trio Presidency through the European Steering Group, where the Commission is also represented. The EUYD is funded through Erasmus+ and the Commission takes an active role in its communication, follow-up and management.  

The EU Youth Conference is a regular milestone (every six months) of the EU Youth Dialogue, which has given more than 130 000 young people a chance to voice their opinion on policy in the past five years. During the 10th cycle (July 2023 - December 2024), the EU Youth Conferences were held in Alicante (Spain), Ghent (Belgium) and Budapest (Hungary).  In a 2024 Eurobarometer on youth and democracy 25 , 13% of the respondents said that they were aware of the EU Youth Dialogue. 

The output of the EU Youth Dialogue is visible in the Council Conclusions that the presidencies present at Council meetings. In particular, the 2024 Council Conclusions on the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022 invite the Commission to further “strengthen the quality, visibility and outreach of the EU Youth Dialogue”, in order to secure a genuine and ongoing conversation between young people and EU policymakers. 26

Ø9th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue (January 2022-June 2023)

The 9th cycle of the EUYD focused on Youth Goal #10: “Engaging together for a sustainable and inclusive Europe”. It was run under the Trio Presidency France, Czechia and Sweden. The consultations resulted in several recommendations on sustainability, including on access to information, infrastructure and youth empowerment, which were published in the Council Resolution on the outcomes of the 9th cycle 27 . In addition, Council Conclusions on promoting the intergenerational dimension in the youth field to foster dialogue and social cohesion 28 which included a summary report of the national consultations, were also published.

A review, carried out by the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership 29 , found that the EUYD “is perceived as a very good opportunity to structure youth engagement activities and to ensure that young people are constantly consulted” but that there was scope for improvement in terms of increasing its impact on policy outcomes.

Ø10th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue (July 2023-December 2024) 30

The 10th cycle under the Trio Presidency of Spain, Belgium and Hungary, focused on European Youth Goal #3: inclusive societies. The consultation resulted in several concrete proposals, including ensuring young people’s financial literacy, access to youth-friendly healthcare and increased cooperation between formal, informal and nonformal education systems, which can be implemented at the national and EU level. These were included in the Council Conclusions on inclusive societies for young people adopted on 13 May 2024 31 . Measures were also taken to make the Conference more inclusive.

·European Youth Week 2024 

The European Youth Week 2024, held from 12 to 19 April, focused on democratic participation with the theme ‘Voice your vision’. It began with a kick-off event in the European Parliament on 12 April, organized by the European Commission. Simultaneously, the European Youth Forum hosted the “LevelUp! I care, I vote” event to inform and engage young people, in the European elections especially those unaffiliated or inexperienced with EU programs.

This event was a collaborative effort involving the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, 24 European Commission departments, the National Agencies of Erasmus+, and youth stakeholders. It featured various activities across Europe, an Active Citizenship Exhibition, and the DiscoverEU application round and a meet-up of 25 DiscoverEU travelers organised in Brussels, aiming to mainstream the youth perspective across EU policy fields.

Key objectives included empowering young people as active citizens, encouraging voting, highlighting achievements by young people, promoting opportunities from public policies and initiatives like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, and addressing topics such as green initiatives, digital transformation, inclusion, and participation. These goals aligned with the outcomes of the European Year of Youth 2022.

·European Year of Youth 2022 

‘Voice your Vision’ was the slogan of the European Year of Youth 2022 32 . The Year aimed to give young people positive prospects after the COVID-19 pandemic and during the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The European Year of Youth put young people high on the political agenda and contributed to integrating the youth perspective across various policy fields.

The European Year of Youth was essentially a bottom-up initiative and successfully triggered large-scale mobilisation and engagement. More than 2 700 stakeholders 33 across the EU and beyond organised activities. The Year created large-scale mobilisation and engagement, raising awareness of EU opportunities among millions of young people who took part in 13 000 activities across 67 countries. More than 30 Commission departments contributed, with over 130 policy initiatives for young people, many of which were developed in cooperation with them.

Social media campaigns running from February 2022 to May 2023 resulted in 210 million views and 10 million interactions and reached 91.4 million people.

All these efforts helped meet the Year’s four objectives as set out in Decision (EU) 2021/2316 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 2021 on a European Year of Youth (2022) 34 .

New youth participation formats were launched, ranging from the Youth Voices Platform to the policy dialogues with European Commissioners 35 and the pool of European young journalists 36 .

·EU youth programmes

Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps are instrumental in strengthening European identity and values and in contributing to a more democratic EU. Active participation in democratic life, European common values, and civic engagement are at the heart of both programmes. This is reflected in a horizontal priority, maintained throughout the 2021-2027 programming period, fostering a strong participatory dimension in all supported activities. The programmes aim to strengthen European identity and to encourage the participation of young people in democratic processes including European, national, regional and local elections, and in other EU initiatives and platforms revolving around participation and civic engagement. Both programmes encourage participatory practices and the direct involvement of young people in all phases of supported projects (project design, implementation and follow-up).

These programmes play a crucial role as well in developing essential skills (such as social and intercultural competences, critical thinking, and media literacy), across lifelong learning, to help young people participate actively and responsibly in society. Detailed reporting on the activities of both programmes is available in the 2023 annual report of Erasmus+ 37 and the 2021-2023 European Solidarity Corps report 38 .

The 2024 Council Conclusions on inclusive societies recognize the EU’s concerted efforts to promote cohesion, resilience and values through these programmes and initiatives 39 .

Under the 2022 Erasmus+ call, a budget of 339.9 million was allocated to 1,201 cooperation projects supporting democratic participation and involving more than 4,000 organisations. The programme’s commitment to this priority was strengthened in 2024, requiring beneficiaries to actively adopt, respect, advance and implement EU values in project activities. 

Since 2021, Erasmus+ has supported a new action, youth participation activities, specifically aiming to empower young people, foster and facilitate their participation in European democratic life at local, regional, national and European levels. Under this action, support is available for local and transnational initiatives run by informal groups of young people and/or organisations working with young people. 2 338 organisations have been awarded a total of EUR 61.1 million in grants since 2021 for the implementation of 1 643 projects aiming to involve over 320 000 participants (16% of them young people with fewer opportunities 40 ). 

According to the 2022 Erasmus+ Annual Report 41 , 82% of Erasmus+ participants declare that they feel more European, 72% are more interested in in European topics, and 52% are more aware of the European values after taking part in the programme’s mobility activities.

The European Solidarity Corps builds on the achievements of more than 25 years of European programmes in the field of youth and solidarity. It brings together young people to build a more inclusive society, supporting vulnerable people and responding to societal and humanitarian challenges. It offers an inspiring and empowering experience for young people who want to help, learn and develop, and provides a single entry point for solidarity activities throughout the EU and beyond. The three strands of the European Solidarity Corps programme are: Volunteering, Solidarity projects and Humanitarian aid.

With volunteering and solidarity at its heart, the European Solidarity Corps offers an opportunity for young people to make a meaningful contribution to society, while gaining invaluable experience and developing new skills. Participants can get involved in solidarity activities, across the EU and beyond, in a range of areas such as citizenship and democratic participation. Since 2021, a total of 995 organisations have received 129.7 million in grants to run 1 646 projects (47% out of total) specifically aiming to promote “participation in democratic life” (involving more than 25 000 volunteers). Furthermore, over the same period, the European Solidarity Corps has awarded over EUR 2.8 million to 370 solidarity projects (10% of the total) specifically dealing with the topic of “democracy and participation” 42 . 

The SALTO Participation and Information 43 resource centre was created in 2018 to enhance the impact of both Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps on democratic participation of young people. The centre provides guidance and support for applicants, beneficiaries, and National Agencies, ensures the involvement of young people, and organises trainings for experts and youth workers. The centre was actively engaged in initiatives to boost voter turnout among young people in the European Parliament elections.

The National Agencies that manage Erasmus+ youth actions and the European Solidarity Corps in EU Member States and non-EU countries associated to the programmes work together in Training and Cooperation Activities, with the aim to build organisational capacity and maximise the programmes’ on-the-ground impact. A key focus of several of these initiatives is to support and promote youth participation. For instance, “Democracy reloading, managed by the National Agency of the French Community of Belgium, aims to develop local democracies by engaging young people in municipal decision-making. “New Power in Youth”, managed by the Estonian National Agency, aims to foster young people’s civic engagement and participation in democratic life. ‘

·Defence of Democracy and EU citizenship’ packages

As part of the Defence of Democracy package adopted in December 2023, the Commission Recommendation on inclusive and resilient elections promotes high standards for European and national elections and referenda. It supports young citizens in exercising their electoral rights, both as voters and candidates, and promotes political engagement, with a special focus on young people, especially first-time voters. This may include actions such as fostering citizenship education, organising election simulations in schools, organising knowledge tests or art competitions on elections, running youth-friendly communication campaigns, publishing election guides to familiarise children and teenagers with the registration and voting process, encouraging students to become election observers and launching peer-to-peer programmes.

Another element of the Defense of Democracy Package is the Commission Recommendation on promoting the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policymaking processes 44 .

As part of the ‘Citizenship Package’ 45 , also adopted in December 2023, the Commission presented a Guide to EU citizenship, intended to equip in particular (but not only) young and new EU citizens with the most essential information on their citizenship rights, illustrating the opportunities these rights offer for democratic engagement. It was accompanied by a broad communication campaign celebrating the 30th anniversary of EU citizenship, with certain deliverables focused on young people, under #EURightsOn.

The EU Democracy in Action toolkit 46 , published in May 2023, introduces pupils to the European Citizens’ Initiative and encourages them to take an active role in European issues.

·European elections 2024

The European elections took place from 6 to 9 June 2024. It gave young citizens the opportunity to express their choice of preferred representation in the EU’s directly elected assembly, the European Parliament. While the minimum age required to vote was 18 in most EU countries, the minimum voting age was 16 in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Malta, and 17 in Greece.

The overall turnout of 50.74 % was slightly higher than in the 2019 elections (50.66%) 47 . According to the European Parliament’s 2024 post-electoral Eurobarometer survey, 36% of those aged 15-24 (if eligible) and 46% of those aged 25-39 voted in the 2024 elections to the European Parliament. Age therefore remains a determining factor in voter turnout, with older people still more likely to vote than young people: 51% of those aged 40-54, and 58% of citizens aged 55 and over voted. The level of education also influences voter turnout: 59% of respondents who finished their formal education at the age of 20 or older voted in the elections, while the turnout was 49% for those who finished at the age of 16-19, and 44% for those who finished at the age of 15 or younger.The participation rate of young voters has decreased by 6 percentage points since 2019, partially offsetting the 14 percentage points increase that took place between 2014 and 2019 48 . According to the European Youth Forum’s analysis 49 of the new European Parliament, the average age of Members of the European Parliament remains 50 (as in 2019), and people aged under 35 only hold 10% of the seats, as a result of younger candidates consistently placed in electoral list positions with lower chances of being elected.

On 18 July 2024, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was elected for a second mandate by the European Parliament and presented her Political Guidelines for the 2024-2029 European Commission 50 . She committed to strengthening the role of young people in policymaking and also stressed the need for intergenerational fairness.

As announced in the Defence of Democracy package, the Commission is preparing a comprehensive report on the conduct of the 2024 European Parliament elections that will include an assessment of young people’s participation in those elections as voters, candidates and elected people. 

·Eurobarometer 2024 ‘Youth and Democracy’

A Eurobarometer survey, carried out in April 2024 51 , showed that young people are active and engaged: 64% said that they had participated in the activities of one or more organisations in the previous 12 months. In addition, 48% reported that they had taken action to change society by signing a petition, participating in a rally, or sending a letter to a politician. In particular, young people were active in topics relating to human rights (34%), climate change and the environment (33%), health and well-being (29%) and equal rights regardless of gender, race or sexuality (29%).

Young people said that the education system has prepared them well. For example, 73% said their education has equipped them with the necessary digital skills to identify disinformation. 72% said their education has taught them to take care of the environment.

Finally, the survey showed that young people continue to have a European outlook. More than 43% had participated in an activity in another EU country. Typical examples of this include studying or training (16%), volunteering (12%) and working (12%). 49% said that they were aware of the funding opportunities offered by Erasmus+. In addition, 67% of young people believed that the EU has an impact, at least to some extent, on their daily life.

·Youth survey on the views of young people on aspects of the EU Youth Strategy

From 27 May to 19 August 2024, the European Commission published a survey on EU Survey and on the European Youth Portal to hear the views of young people aged 15-29 on some aspects of the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 52 . The answers complemented results of other consultations that help provide a better picture of young people’s views and indicated how to give them a stronger voice in EU policymaking. A total of 2246 young people responded to the survey. 73% of them are not part of a youth organisation 53 , and only 19% of the respondents have heard about the EU Youth Dialogue.  

Overall, about half of the respondents indicated that they have only a limited influence over national and EU policies and laws that affect them 54 . A larger share expressed similar views about the involvement of youth organisations in policy making 55 . However, the youngest respondents (aged 15-19) and members of youth organisation tended to have a slightly more positive outlook on both topics. In contrast, residents of capital cities are more likely to view both areas less favourably.

When respondents considered areas in which they would take action, education and training (mentioned by 41% of respondents), environment and sustainability (35%), and physical and mental health (33%) were the top three priorities. It is interesting to observe that among respondents who live in rural areas, physical and mental health is the second most frequently mentioned area for action. Conversely, for residents of capital cities, people not involved in youth organisations and individuals aged 20-24, the issue of inflation and the cost of living is particularly prominent.

On rating the relevance of the 11 European Youth Goals, which are an integral part of the EU Youth Strategy and were developed by young people through the EU Youth Dialogue 56 , 59% think that they are at least quite relevant. When asked in an open and optional question what would be the 12th European Youth Goal if they had to propose one, many respondents focused on addressing issues related to current living costs, with a strong emphasis on the need for affordable housing and improvements in social security. Education, particularly in improving digital and financial literacy, was another key focus. Other recurring themes included the promotion of peace and the strengthening of democracy. The word cloud below gives a visualisation of the most recurring topics.

Other results of the youth survey are included in various chapters of this staff working document.

·EU Children’s Participation Platform  

The Commission has continued to create synergies between children rights’ policies and youth participation, including on participation that supports active and meaningful participation in democratic life from an early age 57 . This is in line with the 2021 EU strategy on the rights of the child, the 2022 Council Conclusions on the rights of the child, the 2023 Council Conclusions on inclusive societies and the 2023 Council Conclusions on children, youth and children’s rights.

 Since its launch in October 2022, the EU Children’s Participation Platform 58  has been creating more opportunities for people aged under 18 to express their opinion on matters that concern them and to contribute to the decision-making process. More than 80 organisations working directly with children in 24 EU Member States are now members of the platform. Children co-design and co-decide on activities and topics that the platform works on.

The 2023-2024 work plan sets out the three topic areas:

-Feeling safe 59 . 

-Democracy and voting 60 .

- Website co-creation.  

Create, Plan, Participat e 61 : During the meeting that took place on 27 and 28 June 2024, children discussed how the Platform has worked over the past two years, what to keep, what to change. They meet with Iris Abraham from the Cabinet of Vice-President Suica and representatives of different Commission Directorate Generals. Thework plan (2025-2026) 62 (also co-created with children) will focus on:

-Equal opportunities and social inclusion

-Mental health and well-being

-Online safety

-Climate action

Children’s engagement and participation was one of the priorities of the CERV 2024 call for proposals on the rights of the child and children’s participation. The eight selected projects with a total budget of EUR 5 million will promote an inclusive and systemic participation of children at local, national and EU levels to ensure that children’s voices are heard and listened to, especially on matters that affect them.

On 23 April 2024, the Commission adopted a Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child 63 , to support EU Member States in ensuring that children are safe and protected from violence. Over 1,000 children's views were collected through the Platform and are reflected in the recommendations.

·Democracy survey for children

Almost 2 000 children between the ages of 6 and 17 shared their thoughts about democracy in an online survey 64 , interviews and focus groups organised by the EU Children’s Participation Platform. The children surveyed expressed their interest in having more opportunities to discuss decisions that directly affect them with the adults taking those decisions, including in schools, local communities and municipalities. They also said that they need more civic education at school in theory and in practice.

©European Union

·EU in my school

‘EU in my school’ connects young audiences ranging from kindergarten children to first-time voters with EU-funded places and initiatives in their region through playful and memorable on-site experiences 65 . A flexible cooperation model allows for different activities, such as visits to EU-funded projects, creative competitions and EU-themed school events. The Commission supports these activities through conceptual, logistical and financial support to connect young people to the EU’s achievements in their homes. In 2022 and 2023, over 22 000 school pupils aged 3-19 participated directly in EU in my school experiences and activities as part of 18 regional campaigns in regions in14 Member States.

·Follow-up of the Conference on the Future of Europe

The Conference on the Future of Europe 66 ended in May 2022 with proposals to the EU institutions on climate change and the environment, health, a stronger economy, social justice and jobs, EU in the world, values and rights, rule of law, security, digital transformation, European democracy, migration, education, culture, youth and sport. The Commission outlined actions on proposals falling within its powers in its communication ‘Putting Vision into Concrete Action’ 67 . The Commission has acted on close to 95% of the measures proposed by the Conference that are within its remit, including the continuous and strengthened participation of young people in EU policymaking through European Citizens Panels.

The Conference proposed that the EU and its Member States focus on the specific needs of young people across all relevant policies, including the EU’s regional policy. The aim is to give young people the best possible conditions for study and work and starting an independent life, while involving them in democratic life and decision-making processes, including at European level. The Conference highlighted the crucial role of youth organisations in this regard. The Conference also proposed to ensure that young people’s internship and jobs adhere to quality standards, including on remuneration, and called for banning through a legal instrument unpaid internships on the labour market and outside formal education. The Commission followed up on this by proposing a Traineeship package in March 2024, consisting of a proposal for a Directive and a proposal for a Council Recommendation.

A key legacy of the Conference on the Future of Europe is the embedding of deliberative democracy in EU policymaking. New generation Citizens’ Panels (where a third of participants are young people aged 16-25) took place between 2022 and 2024, making recommendations ahead of Commission initiatives on food waste, virtual worlds, learning mobility, energy efficiency and tackling hatred in society. In her Political Guidelines, President Ursula von der Leyen announced that Citizens’ Panels will continue to be organised in the years to come. With the 2023 Commission Recommendation on promoting the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policy-making processes 68 , Member States are called to encourage the participation of children and young people in democratic life in the EU. This should support their long-term engagement in European democracies as active citizens and vectors of positive transformative change and in political and democratic life at local, regional and national level, including in rural and remote areas.

Inspired by the introduction of European Citizens’ Panels, Belgium (as part of its presidency of the Council of the EU in 2024) pioneered a Belgian national citizens’ panel 69 on artificial intelligence (AI) between February and April 2024 with the aim to inspire further AI policies in the future.

Youth ambassadors

Between 2022 and 2024, the Commission launched youth ambassadors’ networks in several policy areas.

The Commission supports a community of around 300 young European Climate Pact Ambassadors as of 2024 to promote climate action among young people on the ground and support their local activities. Between 2022 and 2024, the European Climate Pact continued to work with young people taking part in climate action 70 .

The EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassadors were selected in 2022 to promote the bioeconomy in society, particularly among young people. They are 15 young students and professionals working in and around bioeconomy topics, representing 11 nationalities and living in 12 Member States. Since their appointment, they have supported the Commission in raising awareness of the bioeconomy, for instance, through the launch of a podcast,  Bioeconomy Matters , and the publication of the Bioeconomy Youth Vision  at the Bioeconomy Changemaker Festiva l in March 2024.

Since 2023, the Commission has supported a group of 30 Young Energy Ambassadors to promote sustainable energy and the clean energy transition 71 .

The Horizon Europe Young Observers initiative was one of the flagships of the European Year of Youth 2022. It aimed to offer the possibility to master students to participate as observers in Horizon Europe proposal evaluations. Through this, the aim was to get them interested in science and inspire them to consider science-related careers and active participation in EU processes. From autumn 2022 to summer 2023, more than 100 Young Observers were part of this initiative.

The second group of Black Sea Young Ambassadors (15 young ambassadors from Bulgaria, Gorgia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine) was launched in 2023, in addition to the second group of the All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassadors and the BlueMed Young Communication Ambassadors already in place 72 .

As part of the Better Internet for Kids strategy (BIK+) 73 , the Safer Internet Centres in Europe organise activities based on youth participation and select BIK Youth Ambassadors to ensure young people's voices are included in their work. National youth panellists help set programme priorities, provide feedback on actions and policy, organise youth-led activities and contribute to the debate in international conferences such as the Safer Internet Forum 74 .

Youth4Cooperation Cross-Border Ambassadors is an initiative organised in the framework of the Border Focal Point Network. It is an EU-wide professional network bringing together experts on cross-border issues and committed to nurturing a generation of informed, engaged and passionate young Europeans. As part of the initiative, 10 ambassadors are selected based on their interest and activism in border topics. For four months, they share ideas on selected topics related to cross-border cooperation and produce online content for debate with the professional network.

Key youth stakeholders have also set up their own groups of young ambassadors, such as the ERYICA Youth Ambassadors Commission. Annex 2 provides an overview of youth ambassador networks.

·2022 Eurograduate survey 75 results on social outcomes of higher education

As higher education also prepares young people to become active citizens, the 2022 Eurograduate survey asked higher education graduates in 10 countries about their political interests and how they participate in the public debate. While over 90% of the graduates consider it is important to live in a democratically governed country, only 37% of the respondents reported to be politically interested, and only 10% felt confident enough to participate in politics.

Most graduates believed that people have only a little influence or very little influence on politics. However, most graduates engage in one to two types of political activities per year; most often this is done by signing petitions, boycotting certain products or using social media. The survey also showed that female graduates have lower levels of political interest, even though their support for democracy is stronger.

·Pool of Young Journalists in Europe

The European Commission and Eurodesk involve young people in writing articles for the European Youth Portal 76 . After the successful 2022 edition, as part of the European Year of Youth 2022, two new pools of young journalists were set up for 2023 and 2024, to give young people a voice as storytellers. To date, around 30 young journalists selected from across Europe via an open call have written articles and created videos, podcasts and photo-journalism on themes of their choice and interest to young people.

The pool was also given the opportunity to cover important European events and received regular training in journalism.

·Future scenarios and young visions for European democracy 2040

Under Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, a call for proposals 77 published in 2024 will fund two projects on ‘future scenarios and young visions for European democracy 2040’. The selected projects will run for three years. Submitted proposals to this call were asked to combine solid scientific forecasting methods with qualitative and speculative foresight practices, as well as large-scale activities (online and in-person) to build and co-develop alternative future scenarios that can empower young people living in the EU to proactively shape their collective future. In addition, proposals should help to understand the visions of the next generation and how to provide them with the tools to make those visions a reality.

·Other bodies and EU institutions

The European Parliament Youth Hub 78 invites young people to get involved in European democracy and political debates.

Following its 2022 own-initiative opinion on the ‘EU Youth Test’ 79 , the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) introduced a youth test to its own opinions in 2024 80 . This means that youth representatives can participate in the preparation of EESC policy recommendations, participate in meetings and hearings, provide written contributions and follow the uptake of EESC opinions.

The Council of Europe’s co-management system is a good example of participatory democracy as it combines the voices of young Europeans with public authorities responsible for youth issues. Through this dialogue in which each party has an equal say, ideas and experiences can be exchanged, giving legitimacy to the Joint Council on Youth’s decisions 81 .

2.2 Youth mainstreaming

Youth mainstreaming is evolving, boosted by the European Year of Youth and the EU Youth Coordinator 82 in cooperation with many Commission departments.

The 2023 Council Conclusions on promoting youth mainstreaming in policy decision-making processes in the EU 83 stressed that a comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges facing young people requires their involvement and participation in policymaking processes. They invited the Commission and Member States to incorporate the youth perspective in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all policies affecting young people’s lives. This invitation was reiterated in the 2024 Council Conclusions on the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022 and in the 2024 Council Conclusions on inclusive societies for young people 84 .

As presented in Section 1, the youth check was introduced in 2024 in the Commission, based on the existing Better Regulation tools. It will be applied to youth-relevant initiatives in the Commission’s annual work programme as from 2025. The youth perspective is already reflected in many Commission policies and actions, as shown in the wide range of policy areas mentioned in this staff working document.

The EU Youth Dialogue (see Section 1) together with more recent tools, such as the policy dialogues with European Commissioners, also contributed to improving youth mainstreaming. Mutual learning activities were used to facilitate and support Member States that wished to develop a national youth check or a similar mechanism.

Nominated in 2021, the EU Youth Coordinator strengthens cross-sectoral cooperation, as well as knowledge development and exchanges on youth issues within the Commission. Since then, the evaluation of the EU Youth Strategy has shown that the EU Youth Coordinator is a frontrunner for youth mainstreaming at EU level.

The Commission Coordinator for the rights of the child mainstreams rights of the child across all Commission services and policies. The rights of the child apply to all children and young people under the age of 18.

During the European Year of Youth, a Commission Youth Network was launched, and coordinated by the EU Youth Coordinator. It enabled continuous exchanges between the DGs on youth-related initiatives and was a key enabler of the European Year of Youth’s strong cross-sectoral dimension. As legacy action in the Communication on the Year of Youth, Commission departments nominated youth correspondents as primary contact points on youth issues in different policy areas and members of the Commission Youth Network. The launch of this renewed and reinforced Commission Youth Network of dedicated youth correspondents took place in June 2024.

The Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health (adopted in June 2023) marked a major step in ensuring a new cross-sectoral approach to mental health 85 . The 2023 Council Conclusions on a comprehensive approach to the mental health of young people encouraged the Commission to maintain its proactive approach and continue to promote actions aiming to improve young people’s mental health, including the various flagship initiatives and other actions set out in the Commission Communication mentioned above 86 . In addition, the Council invited the Commission to encourage carrying out evidence-based research on the impact of mental health issues on young people and to support the dissemination of these studies.

In the digital realm, the work on the evaluation of the BIK+ strategy started in 2024. Children and young people were consulted to assess the impact of the strategy on their online lives.

Young people will also be consulted on the preparation of the Protection of minors guidelines under the Digital Services Act. This will help online platforms provide a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors online.

Young people are actively involved in shaping the future of European Territorial Cooperation through consultation events.

Youth representatives are invited to twice-yearly exchanges under the Just Transition Platform. The platform runs a working group focused on equal opportunities which includes a dedicated Youth Task Force focused on challenges faced by young people in regions affected by the green transition. To better recognise and address these challenges, the views of those young people facing them is key to discussions.

In EU external action, youth organisations have been systematically included in the civil society consultations organised by EU Delegations and through the creation of Youth Sounding Boards. At global and local level, young people have contributed to shaping policies and programmes in different areas of EU external action, such as green and digital education, political participation and vocational education and training (VET). Young people from Europe and beyond have also been involved in bilateral summits, such as the EU-AU (African Union), EU-LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean), EU-OCTs (-Overseas Countries and Territories), EU-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Artic Dialogues, providing their views and recommendations to policymakers.

The Commission’s internal Task Force on Equality is continuously updating mainstreaming equality issues. The toolbox contains a dedicated chapter on mainstreaming equality in activities, policies, legal instruments and funding programmes in the field of youth.

Defence and Security of the EU is a raising concern for young people. Cybercrime, terrorism and the risk of conflict are among the most significant concerns. Young people are increasingly aware of and concerned about defence and security challenges, advocating for stronger EU collaboration, policies and measures to address these challenges.

·Policy dialogues with European Commissioners

The policy dialogues are a major feature and legacy of the European Year of Youth. In the 2024 Communication on the European Year of Youth 2022 87 , the Commission committed to pursue this successful flagship initiative. Between February 2022 and February 2023, policy dialogues with European Commissioners involved more than 300 young participants in exchanging ideas and views in 26 dialogues in Brussels. All Commissioners organised policy dialogues on a chosen theme, identifying and inviting young participants and organising information sessions and preparatory briefings. The dialogues were a unique opportunity for young people to get closer to policy initiatives and policymakers and make their voices heard. They learned about how the EU works, networked with peers and developed their knowledge of various policy areas. Overall, the main takeaways across different policy dialogues were young people’s concerns about employment, sustainability and the cost of living. 95% of the participants rated the dialogues as excellent or very good. The take aways of the policy dialogues are available on the European Youth Portal 88 .

In its 2024 survey on some aspects of the EU Youth Strategy 89 , the Commission asked young people which topics would in their view be the most relevant for future policy dialogues between young people and European Commissioners. The most selected topics were education and training, including learning mobility (43%), inflation / the cost of living (40%), the environment, sustainability and climate change (38%), physical and mental health and well-being (33%), unemployment/employment opportunities/apprenticeships (28%), peace and security (22%), and poverty and economic and social inequalities (20%). Inflation and the cost of living are the most frequently cited concerns among the two groups of oldest respondents (20-24 and 25-29) and those living in capital cities. At the same time, the environment is the top priority for members of youth organisations who took part in the survey.

·Youth mainstreaming approaches in EU Member States 

In July 2024, the Youth Wiki Network 90 published a comparative report on ‘Youth mainstreaming, youth impact assessment and youth checks’ 91 . It analysed youth mainstreaming practices in 33 European countries, with a focus on youth regulatory impact assessment instruments in four EU Member States: Belgium (the Flemish Community), Germany, France and Austria. It also highlighted good practices in mainstreaming the reflection of young people’s concerns in public policymaking. In nine EU Member States (Finland, Cyprus, Ireland, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Sweden and Slovenia), youth issues are considered when developing policies in different areas (and not just youth policy).

Under the 2025 Flagship Technical Support project on Addressing Demographic Change Through Reforms 92 , the Commission is offering support to EU Member States to mainstream youth perspectives across all policy areas, including by using impact assessment tools (i.e. national youth checks) to determine the impact of legislative changes on young people, in line with the European Youth Strategy 2019-2027.

2.3 Youth employment and skills 

·European Year of Skills 2023 

The European Year of Skills took place between May 2023 and May 2024. It aimed to address skills gaps in the EU and boost the EU skills strategy, by focusing on changing mindsets on upskilling and reskilling (including via micro-credentials). As a result, this would further deliver on the EU Youth Strategy’s objective to equip young people with the life skills necessary to cope with a changing world 93 .

The Year also raised awareness of the challenges around youth unemployment and issues that young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) are facing. and highlighted related initiatives, funding and networks, thus building on the momentum generated by the European Year of Youth.

One of the flagship events of the European Year of Skills was entirely dedicated to a young audience: the ‘Meet the Champions of Excellence’ event gathered over 400 young people from all over Europe, highlighted the value of VET, and encouraged young people to choose VET as an effective learning and career path. Young EU champions from international skills competitions like WorldSkills, EuroSkills, and Abilympics, in more than 20 disciplines ranging from mechanical engineering to healthcare and social care, showcased and shared their experiences and achievements with the participants.

As a tangible result of this engagement, various stakeholders were involved in the ‘youth and skills’ angle of the Year through initiatives, projects and events. A total of 100 events in 28 countries targeted youth specifically. These included:

·‘Youth participation and democracy’ in Portugal

·‘Union for the Mediterranean Community of Practices on Youth Employment’ in Spain

·‘Empowering the Young Professionals of Tomorrow’ in Cyprus

·‘Digital Marketing for Social Media – Digital Young Ambassadors for SMEs’

·‘Skills for the Future: Empowering Young People and Educators’ in Belgium

·‘Interreg and Youth’ in France

·‘Ideas, tools and experiences for re-motivating NEET youth’ in Italy

·‘Youth Speak Forum’ in Austria

·‘Skills of the future’ in Slovakia

·‘Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs: European opportunities for Moldovan Entrepreneurs’ in Moldova.

In addition to the above, over 530 events in 37 countries targeted vocational education and training (for example, ‘Skills Competition Young Farmer’ in Estonia, ‘Youth activism and skills’ in Poland, and ‘Towards resilient youth labour markets: Tackling skill shortages and youth precarity through Observatory-based Research’ in Norway).

On the official website of the European Year of Skills, a dedicated section was created for content targeting youth 94 . In November 2023, the Commission launched a call for proposals for transnational projects dedicated to developing young people’s skills and helping them find employment. For a total of over EUR 9 million of European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) funding, 20 projects develop or scale up innovative methods and practices that have proven to be successful in other contexts, countries and regions. Projects focus on helping vulnerable young people, in particular NEETs, to develop skills that can help them find work.

As part of the European Year of Skills, the third edition of the New European Bauhaus Prizes included a dedicated strand on education and learning – ‘New European Bauhaus Education Champions’. This strand was devoted to initiatives focusing on promoting the values of the New European Bauhaus in education and learning settings. Students were encouraged to apply with their own initiatives, and many selected finalist projects under the strand focused on education and upskilling young people and students.

·Youth employment

The Youth Guarantee continues to ensure that all young people, at national, regional and local levels, receive a quality offer of employment, continued education, traineeship, or apprenticeship within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education. Since 2020, the reinforced Youth Guarantee has extended its support to cover young people below the age of 30. The EU supports mutual learning activities and monitors the progress of the implementation of the Youth Guarantee every year and through Employment Committee (EMCO) reviews every two years. Since the adoption of the Youth Guarantee in 2013, over 50 million young people have started an offer of employment, continued education, apprenticeship or traineeship.  

At national level, Member States also continued to implement the reinforced Youth Guarantee. The latest EMCO review in November 2023 concluded, for example, that there is progress in identifying the target population, in reaching out to inactive and vulnerable young NEETs, and in the quality of the offers. There is also a shared understanding of the importance of a preventive approach in reducing early school leaving and inactivity. But Member States will need to do more, for example, to improve the registration of inactive young NEETs and put more emphasis on vulnerable people in rural and remote areas. Developing integrated services and making sure that young people are better equipped for the modern labour market, e.g. in terms of improved digital skills, are also essential aspects to be improved. The main financial support to Member States’ efforts to implement the Youth Guarantee and address youth unemployment and inactivity is through the ESF+ and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). 

The Communication ‘Putting people first, securing sustainable and inclusive growth, unlocking potential in the outermost regions’ 95 acknowledges the educational and labour market challenges in the outermost regions 96 . It encourages the Member States and regions concerned to set up apprenticeship, job retention and hiring schemes for young people in the outermost regions as part of the Youth Guarantee using EU funds.

In March 2024, the Commission presented an action plan to address labour and skills shortages in the EU 97 . Among other actions, under the social innovation strand of the ESF+, the Commission will finance new initiatives on zero long-term unemployment as well as on activating and upskilling young NEETs 98 .

·Quality framework for traineeships 

According to a 2023 Eurobarometer survey 99 , 78% of young Europeans had taken part in at least one traineeship and 68% said they found a job afterwards. It is estimated 100 that there are around 3.1 million trainees in the EU (1.6 million of them paid) and demand for traineeships is expected to grow at least 16% by 2030.

In March 2024, the Commission adopted two new proposals to improve the working of traineeships in the EU conditions (including pay), quality, and inclusiveness(i) a proposal for a Directive 101 on improving and enforcing working conditions of trainees who are workers and combating regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships; and (ii) a proposal for a Council Recommendation on a reinforced Quality Framework for Traineeships for all trainees  102 . These proposals aim to improve the quality of traineeships as regards working conditions and their learning component and to make them more inclusive for those belonging to vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities.

The policy initiative follows up on the European Year of Youth. It contributes to the European Year of Skills, the European Parliament’s 2023 Resolution on Quality traineeships in the Union, the call stemming from the Conference on the Future of Europe on quality traineeships, and, more broadly, to the Commission’s youth employment initiatives.

·ALMA 

The ALMA initiative 103 (Aim, Learn, Master, and Achieve) is a social inclusion initiative that supports mobility across the EU for vulnerable young NEETs aged 18-29, helping them integrate into society and the labour market in their Member State. In the framework of the European Year of Youth 2022, the Commission launched a one-off EU-level call (budget of EUR 11.6 million) to help Member States integrate ALMA into their ESF+ programmes by piloting or scaling up ALMA type of activities. Under this call, more than 800 young NEETs are participating in 29 ALMA projects across the EU. For example, the Spanish project ‘Creating job opportunities for young people’ of the Asociación Arrabal-AID sent three groups of young NEETs to Lithuania, Germany and Italy. Thanks to the continuous support and tailor-made counselling provided at all ALMA phases (preparation, mobility abroad and follow-up), all participants experienced positive changes, gained confidence, acquired new skills and are gradually finding employment or joining training and education programmes in their Member State of origin.

ALMA is generally implemented under shared management, and 15 Member States have shown interest in implementing the initiative as part of national or regional ESF+ programmes. To date 104 , ALMA calls have been launched at national or regional level in seven Member States (Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Spain, Poland, Sweden and Slovenia).

·Youth entrepreneurship

The Commission supports young people on their path to entrepreneurship. Together with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Commission set up the Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Academy (YEPA) 105  in 2023. The objective of the YEPA is to create a policy-learning network that strengthen youth EU entrepreneurship policies. The network’s participants are policymakers, young entrepreneurs, representatives of national and international youth entrepreneurship networks, experts and social entrepreneurship networks from the 27 Member States.

This group meets regularly to share information on the barriers that young people face in entrepreneurship, for instance, the lack of access to finance. Topics such as entrepreneurial skills, networking, innovation and AI or the specific characteristics of social entrepreneurship are also discussed. Specific attention is given to female entrepreneurship.

The Academy’s ambition is to push Member States to offer better support packages to aspiring young entrepreneurs. The project will run until the end of 2025. Among other things, this group delivers on the Commission’s commitment in the 2024 Commission Communication on the European Year of Youth 2022 106 to work with groups whose untapped entrepreneurial potential remains high.

·ESF+ support for employment and skills

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) continues to invest in youth employment and young people’s socio-economic integration. In the 2021-2027 programming period, all EU Member States have been required to allocate an appropriate amount of their ESF+ resources to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment. Importantly, Member States that had a NEET rate (aged 15-29) above the EU average 107 had to allocate at least 12.5% of their ESF+ resources to such actions 108 .

Altogether around EUR 17 billion, including an EU contribution of EUR 11 billion, will be invested in measures supporting youth employment and young people’s socio-economic integration. These includes targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment, the transition from school to work, vocational education and training, apprenticeships, pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education as well as outreach measures.

·2022 Eurograduate survey 109 results on labour market outcomes and skills uses

Over 100 000 recent graduates in 17 countries were surveyed at the end of 2022 (graduating in summer 2021) on their labour market experiences and the skills they use (or need) in their current jobs. Around 90% of graduates have found a job one year after finishing their higher education.

Bachelor graduates reach the highest employment rate in the field of health, whereas master graduates in information and communication technologies (ICT) and engineering enjoy the highest employment rates and wages, and were also most satisfied with their jobs. Overall, recent graduates report good levels of satisfaction (>70%) with most job aspects, except for salary and career opportunities (around 50%).

Most higher education graduates see their education as a good basis for their job (this is slightly more the case for master graduates than for bachelor graduates). About two thirds of working graduates have a job that matches their highest education degree. They also perceive a good skills match overall, with more than 75% of graduates assessing their skills level as matching or exceeding job requirements.

There is also a significant minority who are not working in field related to their degree or area of interest. While many replies suggest that graduates possess some skills that could be better used, around one third experienced a lack of skills in mastering their own field and communicating their ideas clearly to others.

The dominant teaching mode is still ‘lecture style’, but this has now dropped below 50% in almost all countries and is more often combined with problem-based learning. However, innovative teaching methods are still at a low level. The survey results show that different teaching and learning approaches are needed to develop a broader set of skills.

8% of recent graduates have started their own business, which may be attributed to innovative learning styles and extracurricular experiences. Self-employment is most common in arts and humanities. Graduates who had a learning mobility experience abroad increased their chance of finding a matching job by 7%.

·More initiatives for youth employment and skills 

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) has allocated almost EUR 6.1 billion 110 to youth employment support and job creation. This includes hiring and job transition incentives and support for self-employment. For example, Cyprus will improve the effectiveness of its Department of Labour and Public Employment Services to reinforce support for young people. This will include developing an early warning tracking system for NEETs, giving them coaching and career guidance for labour market orientation and integration, and preparing an incentive scheme for employers to hire NEETs.

Furthermore, investments and reforms on skills and adult education amount to about EUR 41 billion 111 . These focus on a wide range of issues, including the twin transition, and target both companies and individuals, which benefits young people as well. The recovery and resilience plans also pay specific attention to parts of the population that might need more targeted and additional support. For example, Portugal will modernise its vocational education and training institutions by installing and upgrading specialised technology centres in public secondary schools and vocational schools, as well as in private educational establishments offering vocational education. In addition, training centres of the public employment service will be expanded and upgraded, with the goal to make training more relevant to the labour market.

On 16 June 2022, the Council adopted a Council Recommendation on Individual Learning Accounts 112 . Individual Learning Accounts ensure that all adults regardless of their employment status can access financial support for training whenever they need it. This support is integrated in a user-friendly way with a registry of available training offers, certification and guidance, and includes paid training-leave. They incentivise the uptake of training in a joined-up way by giving young people the means to pay for it and by ensuring that it will be financially worthwhile. The initiative’s scope is universal and therefore includes young adults who would benefit from individual learning accounts by developing the skillset they need to enter and make successful transitions in the labour market.

Member States have now moved to the design and implementation phases. Around half of the Member States are working on steps towards setting up Individual Learning Accounts schemes, in most cases supported by the ESF+ and RRF. Countries can also seek technical assistance from the Technical Support Instrument (TSI). The Commission also provides support to the Member States in the form of a mutual learning programme.

As one of the initiatives of the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities, the Commission together with its stakeholders launched the Disability Employment package 113  in 2022, which draws attention to the situation of young people with disabilities. The package is a set of guidance and practices aiming to facilitate the employment of persons with disabilities. It covers all stages from recruitment through retention and return to work of persons with disabilities 114 . This guidance provides advice and practices to employers, employment services, adult learning institutions, public authorities and persons with disabilities. It also aims to tackle stereotypes about persons with disabilities and the cost of providing workplace adaptations.

The Commission continues supporting Member States and regions in the implementation of the 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes. This includes European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support in the areas of employment, education and training, social inclusion, healthcare and long-term care and sustainable tourism and culture. Young people have been identified as target groups that can benefit based on the identified needs in the targeted territories.

The Talent Booster Mechanism 115 was launched in January 2023 to support EU regions affected by demographic challenges, including the departure of young people. The mechanism provides support in the form of training, retaining and attracting the people, skills and competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition. Enabling young people to realise their potential in a high-quality learning environment and facilitating their transition to working life are part of the Commission’s toolbox of measures 116 to help Member States manage demographic change and achieve a more balanced brain circulation across Europe.

The Youth4Reviving (stagnating) EU territories  toolkit 117 is a project inspired by the conversations during a youth policy dialogue with Elisa Ferreira, the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. It identifies initiatives and policies that could attract young people who have left their regions of origin back home and encourage those who have not yet left to stay. The toolkit is the result of a project that started in January 2023. The project included desk research, a multilingual and EU-wide questionnaire and visits to regions affected by youth emigration/out-migration. Education is prominently highlighted as a way to make regions more attractive for young people, particularly through strengthened cooperation between higher education institutions and local stakeholders to foster a more relevant education offer responding to local skills needs. In this regard, the blueprint for a European degree 118 is instrumental to foster opportunities for attracting and retaining talent and creating the skills needed at regional level.

To alleviate social impacts of the transition towards a climate-neutral economy, the Just Transition Fund (JTF) invests EUR 3.4 billion in the development of skills, assistance on the labour market, improving the quality of education (namely vocational and tertiary), from which young people also benefit. Young people are key players in implementing the Just Transition Fund (JTF). One of the largest areas of JTF investment is in skills, job searches and education. To support people affected by the green transition in coal and carbon-intensive regions, the JTF has devoted a significant part of its resources to employment programmes, particularly for young people. The Just Transition Platform (JTP) helps young people in regions who are most vulnerable to the effects of the transition to climate neutrality. Since 2024, the platform has runs a JTP Working Group on Equal Opportunities to provide a forum for vulnerable groups to share good practices, exchange knowledge and discuss concerns and achievements. The group consists of the JTP Youth Task Force, which focuses on the challenges faced by young people and finding solutions for them. In addition, the JTP has managed since 2023 technical assistance on the ground, with dedicated workstreams on youth mobilisation, reskilling and upskilling for young people. Support through the JTP also promotes the development of green skills for young people to improve entrepreneurship and the development of the SMEs and start-ups. Youth representatives are also regularly involved in exchanges at bi-annual conferences organised by the JTP for all stakeholders.

The 2023-2027 common agricultural policy 2023-2027 (CAP) provides funding to EU countries under specific objectives whose aims include attracting young people to farming, facilitating business development and promoting employment, growth and local development in rural areas. EU countries’ 2023-2027 strategic plans combine funding for income support, rural development and market measures. Specific support to young farmers (up to 40 years old) features prominently in the strategic plans in the form of income support, investment support and start-up grants and will amount to around EUR 8.5 billion. Overall, it is expected that 377 000 new young farmers will benefit. In addition, young people can also benefit from the strategic plans’ measures supporting knowledge exchange, innovation, dissemination of information and cooperation projects 119 .

In its Translating Europe Forum , a yearly conference on translation, the Commission pays special attention to young people by providing them with the opportunity to meet professionals in the language industry, learn from their experience and share their ideas and expectations. Over 800 graduates and newcomers to the language industry took part in the Translating Europe Forum in 2023, taking advantage of networking with professional linguists, improving their skills and discovering new professional opportunities.

3CONNECT 

3.1Youth mobility and volunteering 

Learning mobility is key to youth engagement, connectivity and empowerment and to the implementation of the European Education Area. The 2022 Council Recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers 120 was a deliverable of the European Year of Youth and continued to facilitate youth volunteering in the European Solidarity Corps programme and national schemes. It was followed in May 2024 by a Council Recommendation ‘Europe on the Move’ – learning mobility opportunities for everyone 121 . The Recommendation sets two quantitative targets to be achieved by 2030 for the mobility of higher education students (23%) and learners in VET (12%), and an aspiration for learners with fewer opportunities (20%). It also includes policy frameworks for teacher’ and apprentice’ mobility. In addition, the proposal for Directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities 122 , adopted by the Commission on 6 September 2023, aims to facilitate the free movement of persons with disabilities by providing for the mutual recognition of their disability status.

These initiatives aim to tackle obstacles to learning and youth mobility and cross-border volunteering and encourage the Commission and Member States to take action in areas such as inclusiveness, quality and the recognition of these mobility and volunteering experiences.

In its 2024 survey on some aspects of the EU Youth Strategy 123 , the Commission asked young respondents what they would prioritise if they had the chance to spend time studying, training or learning in another country. Young respondents said they would prioritise developing skills (knowledge and soft skills, such as adapting to new environments, self-reliance, teamwork, social skills) (58%), learning and practising other languages (40%), increasing their future job opportunities (36%), and connecting with other young Europeans (33%).

The Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes focus on inclusion and diversity. For example, 32% of Erasmus+ youth mobility participants and 51% of European Solidarity Corps volunteers are young people with fewer opportunities. 124 .

·Erasmus+

Erasmus+ is the EU programme in the fields of education, training, youth and sport, supporting individuals and organisations. Erasmus+ has continued to grow, and the milestone of 15 million participants since its launch in 1987 was reached in 2024. Supporting the mobility of students, trainees, apprentices and young people is the backbone of Erasmus+. Through its learning mobility actions, the programme equips young people with a broad range of skills and competences, fosters social and cultural understanding and a European sense of belonging. Erasmus+ is an essential tool to support the implementation of the European Education Area and the underlying policy frameworks.

Following two challenging years due to the COVID-19 crisis, since 2022, mobility projects have returned to pre-COVID levels. In 2022, more than 900 000 learners took part in a mobility activity supported by Erasmus+.

Erasmus+ allocated funding to higher education institutions, enabling approximately 325 000 students to participate in mobility activities in the 2022/2023 academic year. These projects have yielded positive outcomes for participants, including higher competence levels, improved employability, increased social cohesion and a stronger interest in the EU. In particular, 90% of students reported having more confidence in their abilities, 94% declared having become better at adapting to and handling new situations, and 90% stated better collaboration with people from diverse backgrounds.

Erasmus+ mobility for school pupils saw a significant increase, highlighting the eagerness of young Europeans to engage in learning mobility experiences from an early age. Under the 2022 calls, the programme supported some 12 000 pupils to take part in an individual mobility abroad and more than 120 000 to get involved in a group mobility.

In the field of vocational education and training, the programme supported the participation of 224 000 learners, apprentices and staff in mobility activities in the 2022 academic year, of which 12% were learners with fewer opportunities.

Since 2021, Erasmus+ mobility actions in the field of youth have given 885 000 young people the opportunity to meet each other and learn outside the formal educational systems, enabling them to acquire or further develop skills, competences and European values. In addition, a total of 13 056 organisations inside and outside the EU have been granted a total amount of more than EUR 512.9 million.

Erasmus+ is committed to ensuring equal access to learning opportunities for all. Since 2021, the programme has significantly expanded its inclusion and diversity dimension, introducing several support measures and financial incentives, as well as a strategy that fosters the development of inclusive projects 125 . In its Conclusions on inclusive societies for young people 126  (2024), the Council invited the Commission to continue supporting the development of inclusion and inclusive projects that actively involve young people with fewer opportunities and strengthen their mobility.

ØDiscoverEU and DiscoverEU Inclusion Action

DiscoverEU offers young people who are 18 years old the opportunity to travel across Europe by rail (or other transport modes where needed) to discover Europe’s cultural heritage and diversity, connect with other young people and with communities and acquire new skills. It promotes young people’s sense of belonging to the EU; and inspires young people to embrace sustainable travel and environmental awareness.

Since 2022, the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action supports projects enabling young people with fewer opportunities to participate in DiscoverEU. It targets those who would not apply on their own initiative due e.g. to disability, health problems, barriers linked to education and training, cultural differences, social or economic barriers, barriers linked to discrimination, or geographical barriers. The DiscoverEU Inclusion Action offers extra support while travelling 127 , such as the possibility to be accompanied, to receive extra budget for subsistence, organising mobility activities, mentoring and support for travel preparations. In total, 820 projects were submitted and 357 contracted since 2022. The first projects started on 1 March 2023, and more than 2 400 mobilities have been completed until October 2024.

· European Solidarity Corps

ØVolunteering strand  

The European Solidarity Corps is an EU programme which gives young people the opportunity to build a more inclusive society, support vulnerable people and respond to societal challenges. It also offers volunteers an enriching experience and the opportunity to improve skills for personal, educational, social, civic and professional development. The programme also increases the capacity of participating organisations to operate at EU and international levels. As one of the most visible displays of solidarity, volunteering supports young people engaging and connecting with local communities and sharing experiences.

The scope of volunteering projects is broad, covering areas such as environmental protection and climate change mitigation, social inclusion and community development. Between 2021 and 2024, 4 269 projects were contracted that will involve more than 56 000 volunteers, out of whom 51% are volunteers with fewer opportunities 128 . This demonstrates that the programme is well suited for the specific needs of young people facing various disadvantages and obstacles. Building on the legacy of the European Year of Youth, the Commission also increased volunteering opportunities for young people by topping up the 2024 European Solidarity Corps call with EUR 13.71 million from Horizon Europe  129 .

ØSolidarity projects

Solidarity projects are in-country solidarity activities initiated, developed and implemented directly by a group of at least five young people for 2 to 12 months. They offer young people a major opportunity to initiate projects on topics that matter most to them. This way they can express solidarity and engage by taking the initiative and committing themselves to bring positive change to their local community. Some of the projects can also tackle regional or even national issues. Solidarity projects can also have clear European added value, for example, by addressing EU priorities at local level.

At the same time, through active participation and implementation of the solidarity project, young people experience non-formal learning that can boost their personal, educational and social development. Running their own project can empower them and make their voices heard on matters that they consider important.

Since 2021, about 3 400 solidarity projects have been contracted, amounting to EUR 26.5 million 130 . These projects have created opportunities for over 18 000 participants to show solidarity and bring a positive change by addressing local issues.

ØHumanitarian Aid strand

Participants aged 18-35 from EU Member States and countries associated to the European Solidarity Corps programme are able to participate, individually or in teams, in humanitarian projects. These projects: (i) facilitate the transition from the humanitarian response to long- term sustainable and inclusive development; (ii) help to strengthen the capacity and resilience of vulnerable or disaster-affected communities; (iii) strengthen disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction; (iv) link relief, rehabilitation and development; (v) support the water, sanitation and health sector and the agri-food sector; and (vi) support the integration of young people with fewer opportunities in local communities.

Volunteers and organisations are able to rely on complementary support, e.g. involving more experienced coaches and experts. The aim is that, through these actions, young people can contribute to making vulnerable or disaster-affected local communities more resilient while acquiring essential skills. Not only can these skills contribute to young people’s personal and socio-educational development and increase their self-empowerment and self-esteem, they can also boost their job prospects.

Following the 2021, 2022 and 2023 calls, specific Quality Labels 131 for this action were awarded to 90 organisations with support roles in 20 countries and to 80 organisations with host roles in 41 countries.

The humanitarian aid strand has already attracted many young people. Between October 2022 and June 2024, more than 138 000 young people expressed interest in this strand on the European Youth Portal.

The humanitarian aid strand had, by June 2024, funded the deployment of 350 volunteers on the ground on four continents.

Young people with fewer opportunities are encouraged to participate. Organisations can apply for funding to receive a contribution for young people with fewer opportunities.

·Interreg Volunteer Youth

The Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative offers young people aged 18-30 the possibility to serve as 'Interreg reporters' in promoting the concrete results of Interreg projects or as 'Interreg project partners' through getting involved in a project. IVY guarantees a better visibility for Interreg projects and programmes, with young, innovative volunteers supporting communication activities and it contributes to increased knowledge among youth about Interreg and Cohesion policy.

The initiative has reached 900 participants in 2024, considering all the volunteers deployed since its launch in 2017. In addition, the geographical scope of the initiative was significantly extended in December 2023, allowing for all Interreg programmes and projects, as well as Macro-Regional Strategies authorities, to host volunteers. Volunteers can now be deployed in all countries cooperating with the EU in the framework of Interreg and Macro-Regional Strategies, including in partner countries of outermost regions.

3.2Youth and the digital world 

The digital world has become an integral part of youth culture, shaping how young people communicate, learn and engage with society. It affects several areas covered in other sections of this document, such as social inclusion (Section 4.2) and education and training (Section 4.4 132 ). With unprecedented access to information and technology, today’s young people are at the forefront of digital innovation and social change. This dynamic interaction not only offers immense opportunities for education and personal development but also presents challenges, such as digital literacy and online safety.

The results of the 2024 Commission survey on some aspects of the EU Youth Strategy 133  seem to suggest that disinformation is a reality for young people: only 5% of the respondents said they rarely or never come across news or information that they believe misrepresent reality or is even false 134 . Over 70% of respondents check the accuracy of news or information they believe to be misleading or false by consulting other sources (this practice is more common among young residents of capital cities (80%) and those aged 25-29 (79%)).

Upholding children and young people’s fundamental rights in the digital environment is a Commission priority. Children and young people should always feel safe, secure and protected online from content or contacts that could bother, upset or scare them, or make them feel angry, sad, worried or bullied online.

The 2023 Council Conclusions on digital empowerment to protect and enforce fundamental rights in the digital age 135 invite Member States to adopt the necessary measures to provide specific protection and digital skills tailored to the needs of children and young people. Such measures include: (i) creating high-quality digital content in education programmes; (ii) facilitating access to equipment; (iii) providing children and young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to participate safely in the digital environment, (iv) helping to identify, among others cyberbullying, grooming and other forms of online harassment and crimes; (v) disseminate information on the support available to children and youth that are victims of crime online; and (vi) to tackle aggressive commercial practices.

The Commission has taken major steps to ensure that the EU regulatory framework is fit for purpose for the current digital landscape and to protect minors online. The Digital Services Act 136 (DSA) which is fully applicable since February 2024, imposes obligations on providers of digital services in relation to the protection of children and young people. Online platforms accessible to children are required to put in place measures that ensure a high level of privacy, safety, and security for minors. Services designated as Very Large Online Platforms or Very Large Online Search Engines 137 are required to assess and mitigate actual or expected risks that their service may pose to the protection of minors, the rights of the child, and the user’s mental and physical well-being. In 2024, the Commission opened formal proceedings on TikTok’s, Instagram’s and Facebook’s compliance with the Digital Services Act, including on the protection of minors. The Commission also closed a case against TikTok, after the platform committed to permanently withdraw its Task and reward programme in the EU, which the Commission suspected had addictive effects. In 2025, the Commission will adopt guidelines for the protection of minors online to assist service providers in assuring a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors that is required by the DSA.

The emergence of AI is transforming industries worldwide by automating complex tasks and improving decision-making processes. As AI technology rapidly evolves, its potential to address global challenges and revolutionise daily life grows, highlighting the need for its responsible development to address ethical concerns and mitigate risks.

The Artificial Intelligence Act 138 , adopted in 2024, aims to protect health, safety and fundamental rights and ensure any AI that is developed and used in the EU is trustworthy. It underlines the possible adverse impact of AI systems on the fundamental rights protected by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and considers the specific rights of the child. For example, it prohibits the use of AI that exploits children’s vulnerabilities to manipulate their behaviour in a way that can cause harm. Another example relates to the that providers have to put in place for high-risk AI systems. This risk management system must consider whether, given its intended purpose, the high-risk AI system is likely to have an adverse impact on people under the age of 18.

Additionally, AI and algorithmic management in the workplace have the potential to benefit young people, for example, with increased efficiency, flexibility and personalised job opportunities. However, safeguards are important to ensure these systems are implemented fairly and respect workers’ rights. The Platform Work Directive 139 , adopted in October 2024, provides key benefits by clarifying the employment status of platform workers, ensuring access to rights, such as the minimum wage or paid annual leave. It also mandates transparency in algorithmic management, giving young people insights into decisions that affect them, and introduces the right to challenge automated decisions, promoting fairness and autonomy in their work. The JRC report on ‘ Artificial intelligence and the rights of the child ’ focused on how researchers, policymakers and industry should involve children and their caregivers when designing new AI policies and initiatives.

·Digital safety and links with mental health

The 2023 Council Conclusions on a comprehensive approach to the mental health of young people in the European Union invited the Commission to pay particular attention to the promotion of safer and healthier digital spaces for young people and to foster the eradication of online hate speech, particularly targeting young people in the most vulnerable situations 140 . Since then, the Commission has vowed to step up efforts to tackle social media addiction and cyberbullying among young people by launching an EU-wide inquiry into social media’s effects on young people’s mental health, tackling unethical addictive techniques used by online platforms (such as infinite scroll, default auto-play and gamification) and developing an action plan against cyberbullying 141 .

As presented in the Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health 142 , the flagship initiative ‘Healthy Screens, Healthy Youth ensures protecting young people in the digital sphere, online and on social media.

The Better Internet for Kids (BIK+) strategy, adopted in May 2022, is a key initiative and part of the EU’s efforts to promote a safer and more beneficial digital environment for children and young people. Developed and launched with the participation of young people, this strategy aims to provide age-appropriate digital services where every child in the EU is protected, empowered, and respected online. Pillar 2 of the BIK+ strategy and the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade aim to empower children with digital skills and raise their awareness of online risks 143 .

In this context, a pilot phase of the MediaSmartOnline 144  campaign was launched in March 2024; this campaign highlights existing media literacy initiatives being piloted in 3 EU countries and was extended to others in the second half of 2024. 

As part of a range of new initiatives under the BIK strategy, the AdWiseOnline 145  campaign, launched on Safer Internet Day 2024, raises children's and young people's awareness of manipulative digital marketing practices, especially via influencers and in-game marketing, and illustrates their rights as young consumers online. In addition, the BIK age assurance toolkit 146 was published in 2024 to explain in a family-friendly language key messages and concepts about age assurance. 

Promoting a responsible digital transition includes looking after the well-being of young people in the digital world and links up with initiatives that support young people’s mental and physical health, for example, through the HealthyLifestyle4All initiative. In November 2022, the Council adopted Council Conclusions on supporting well-being in digital education 147 . As a follow-up to these Conclusions, a model of emerging practices and dedicated items on digital well-being in the SELFIE 148 tool are being developed (SELFIE is tool that helps schools assess where they stand with learning in the digital age). In addition, the Council Recommendation on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training 149 and the Council Recommendation on improving the provision of digital skills and competences in education and training 150 underscore the importance of ensuring that digital well-being is reflected in the teaching and learning process as well as in the design of supportive digital teaching and learning approaches and environments. This is to help ensure that students’ engagement with digital technology is done so in a mindful way with a view to safeguard their mental health and boost their resilience both offline and online.

In the ‘Living, working and COVID-19’ survey series by Eurofound 151 , 49% of 18-29-year-old respondents reported working from home daily or several times per week, with an additional 16% working from home several times a month. While the possibility to work anytime, anywhere, enabled by digital technologies, may bring many opportunities in terms of autonomy, flexibility and productivity, it may also lead to an increased workload and an ‘always-on’ culture. This can create risks to the mental and physical health and safety and work-life balance of workers, including young people.

The 2021 European Parliament legislative resolution on the right to disconnect 152 , included a call on the Commission to present a legislative proposal on the right to disconnect and an EU legislative framework for telework. As part of its follow-up to the resolution, the Commission commissioned a large-scale exploratory study to gather evidence and to better understand the challenges, opportunities and trends in relation to the flexibility of working time and work location, with a focus on telework and the right to disconnect 153 .

As follow-up, the Commission is preparing a potential EU initiative on the right to disconnect and telework. As part of this and in line with its obligations under Article 154 of the Treaty, the Commission is conducting a formal two-stage consultation of the social partners.

·The European Student Card Initiative (ESCI)

The ESCI, a key flagship of the European strategy for universities, continues to support the digitalisation and interoperability of higher education institutions to facilitate data exchanges, simplify and streamline student mobility administration, and improve the experience of mobile students.

Since 2021, the ESCI has continued to gather pace, reaching 250 000 Erasmus+ app downloads and 2.86 million active European Student Cards issued across 18 countries by August 2024. A growing number of students can now get their student status securely and easily verified across Europe to access student services during their mobility. The digitalisation of mobility processes continued to grow during the same period. The number of higher education institutions connected to the Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) network reached 3 060 (an increase of 265 institutions since 2023). Digital exchanges between higher education institutions also reached new highs: over 87 000 digital interinstitutional agreements completed in the last 12 months (bringing the total to 185 000 since 2021) and 126 320 digital learning agreements completed for the 2023/2024 academic year, an increase of nearly 52 000 compared to the 2022/2023 academic year.

The ESCI continues to support the secure digital exchange of students’ data and academic records for mobility purposes, increasing the integration between the different digital ESCI components and the further development of digital European Student Cards that enable access to a wider range of online student services. Throughout 2025, improvements to the EWP network will enable digital signatures of multilateral agreements . There will also be testing of digitalised workflows for nominations and transcripts of records. The migration to a simplified digital infrastructure with more centralised components will also lay the ground for supporting the once-only data principle across ESCI components.

·Support instruments

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) has allocated more than EUR 28.3 billion 154 to increasing human capital in digitalisation, which also includes young people. The recovery and resilience plans (RRPs) include a wide range of digital transformation measures. These include comprehensive digital skills strategies, actions to overcome the shortage of ICT specialists and to equip the broader population and workforce with digital skills, support for the development of cyber skills, the digitalisation of educational institutions and content, and targeted support for vulnerable groups. For example, in Latvia, the RRF is being used to purchase IT equipment for general education institutions, with targeted support for students from socially vulnerable groups. The RRF is also supporting 42 municipalities with the establishment and implementation of programmes aimed at improving young worker’s digital skills. The RRF also supports other digitalisation investments, such as the digitalisation of public services and transport services, which benefits young people as well.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has invested EUR 13.4 billion in ‘reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies, research organisations and public authorities’ and EUR 2.4 billion in ‘enhancing digital connectivity’, in particular, by providing broadband access. For example, an ERDF programme has supported a youth centre in a rural area to equip digital workplaces for children and young people with hardware and software in order to offer meaningful extracurricular activities, e.g. in the musical-creative field.

Digital transition, which is a key element of the EU's political agenda, is among the horizontal priorities of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. In 2024, a new digital strategy 155 was published for the programmes to further encourage and support projects working in these areas. SALTO Digital will support the implementation of the strategies through guidelines, various materials and workshops.

3.3Communicating about the EU Youth Strategy 

The European Youth Portal 156  is the main source of online information on EU youth policy and the EU Youth Strategy. A dedicated section presents the strategy as well as key policy activities and documents. It is regularly updated to inform the public about the latest developments and contains a wide range of resources. The European Year of Youth website was a window to all the activities organised by the Commission during the Year and brought together examples of activities in different areas that target young people. This legacy of the Year continues with a transformation of the EU Youth Strategy section of the portal to give more visibility to youth policy mainstreaming, policy dialogues, youth work and ease of access to the different resources on which EU policymaking is based.

In 2023 and 2024, the EU Youth Coordinator carried out more than 160 communication and outreach activities 157 (speaking engagements, discussions with stakeholders, roundtables, interviews and videos) and moderated six youth policy dialogues with Commissioners. The EU Youth Coordinator chaired the European Year of Youth national coordinator and stakeholder group and coordinated the Commission Youth Network. She also led the preparation of the youth check process.

ERYICA, EYCA and Eurodesk continue to promote EU opportunities for young people and the European Youth Strategy through their networks. They use multipliers to reach out to young people with fewer opportunities and those from remote and rural areas everywhere in Europe.

Eurodesk is a network of 38 national coordinators and over 3 000 multipliers in 36 countries. Each year, it keeps over 2 million young people informed through online and face-to-face activities. Its objective is to raise awareness among young people of mobility opportunities and to encourage them to become active citizens. It does this via information, support and communication activities, with a priority on reaching out to those with fewer opportunities and who are not yet aware of such opportunities.

Eurodesk targets two main groups: (i) young people aged 13 to 30 from all parts of society, in particular those with fewer opportunities; (ii) and youth workers and professionals in direct contact with young people and multipliers that work with young people (including youth organisations, youth information workers and youth policymakers). Eurodesk contributed, for example, to promoting the survey aiming to collect young people’s feedback for the EU Youth Report on the progress of the EU Youth Strategy.

The multilingual EU Learning Corner website 158 is a one-stop shop for youth materials and relays and promotes teaching materials on the EU developed by the EU institutions. The ‘News and competition’ section of the website, as well as the monthly newsletter that is sent to 130 000 schools throughout the EU, provide the latest information on EU initiatives to engage, connect and empower children and young people. Several online and printed publications are made available and distributed to specific target audiences to raise awareness of the opportunities on offer (for example,  Keeping our promise to YOU! ).

4EMPOWER 

4.1Quality youth work 

·European Youth Work Agenda 

Youth work 159 is vital for: (i) the engagement and inclusion of all young people, especially those with fewer opportunities (including young NEETs); (ii) the promotion of democratic awareness and active European citizenship; and (iii) the green and digital transitions. According to a civil society survey carried out as part of the EU Youth Strategy (EUYS) interim evaluation, 67% of respondents considered that the EUYS brought young people together through youth work activities and helped improve the quality and recognition of youth work.

The European Youth Work Agenda (EYWA) 160 complements the EUYS, strengthening the policy base for quality youth work. The EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership 161  supports the implementation of the EYWA with knowledge and evidence, notably through a steering group 162 This steering group is also organising the fourth European Youth Work Convention to be hosted by Malta on 28-30 May 2025.

The Visible Value: Growing youth work in Europe-symposium 163  provided a space for peer learning, networking and discussing youth work development and the EYWA. It highlighted recent research, good practices, initiatives and achievements, celebrating the 25 years of cooperation between the EU and the Council of Europe in the field of youth.

The Council Resolution on youth work in an empowering Europe was adopted in May 2024 164 . It emphasises the role of youth work in empowering young people, supporting their transition to autonomy and fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity in addressing key societal challenges. It calls on Member States, the Commission and relevant stakeholders to support the development and practice of youth work at EU, national, and local levels, including through comprehensive youth work policies, bottom-up approaches and training of youth workers.

The European Conference on Local Youth Work and Democracy in Brussels, under the 2024 Belgian Presidency (February 2024), highlighted significant progress in youth work over the previous 20 years. Key points included the visibility and participatory attitude fostered in local youth work, the benefits of adapting good practices, and the importance of creating supportive spaces. The Commission can further support local youth work policy, emphasising municipalities’ roles and enhancing youth engagement in democratic processes aligned with the EU Youth Strategy.

·EU programmes and youth work

Several EU programmes’ actions and instruments support youth workers’ development and the quality, innovation and recognition of youth work. The European Training Strategy for youth work (ETS), revised and launched at the beginning of 2022, offers a strategic framework for the development of youth workers’ education and training in Europe.

EU youth programmes also support youth work. The Erasmus+ youth action and the European Solidarity Corps provide youth workers with significant opportunities for professional development and cooperation with their peers across Europe and beyond. In funded projects, youth workers exchange good practices, test tools and formats, build communities of practice and contribute to the development of the youth work community. More than 110 000 youth workers had the opportunity to take part in Erasmus+ youth worker mobility projects awarded between 2021 and 2024 165 .

Erasmus+ also funds hundreds of training and cooperation activities (TCA) that are organised every year by the National Agencies network, with the support of the SALTO resource centres 166 . These activities aim for a high-quality implementation of the programmes via skills development, cooperation and outreach.

As part of the TCAs, National Agencies also organise strategic long-term activities. Several of these relate to youth work, for instance with a focus on digital youth work, youth work in municipalities and youth workers’ education and training. The European Solidarity Corps funds networking activities (which is equivalent to TCAs).

Youthpass 167 , the EU instrument for identifying, documenting and validating learning outcomes of non-formal and informal learning in the field of youth, targets both young people and youth workers (covering a specific set of competences for youth workers). Between 2022 and 2024, almost 62 000 Youthpass certificates were issued to youth workers following their participation in Erasmus+ youth or European Solidarity Corps projects.

Detailed reporting on Erasmus + and the European Solidarity Corps activities is available in the 2023 Erasmus+ annual report 168 and the 2021-2023 European Solidarity Corps report 169 .

4.2Social inclusion 

Social inclusion is vital for fostering a cohesive, equitable, and harmonious society. It ensures that all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, or abilities, have equal access to opportunities, resources, and rights. By promoting diversity and reducing discrimination and marginalisation, social inclusion strengthens community well-being and solidarity. It empowers marginalised groups, enabling them to contribute their talents and perspectives, which enriches the collective social and cultural fabric. Moreover, social inclusion helps mitigate social tensions and conflicts, creating a more just and compassionate society where everyone can thrive.

The intersectional nature of inclusion challenges (e.g. youth unemployment, poverty, social isolation) can exacerbate the experiences of groups already vulnerable groups at risk of discrimination and social exclusion, such as young people with disabilities, from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds such as Roma, belonging to the LGBTIQ community, belonging to religious minorities or those living in rural areas.

The 2024 Council Conclusions on inclusive societies for young people 170  set out targeted measures to promote equity, inclusion and support for young people in Europe, particularly those with fewer opportunities. In its conclusions, the Council acknowledges the challenges that young people face and the importance of facilitating their active participation and inclusion in their communities and in democratic life. It also highlights the need to improve mental well-being and living conditions for all young people. This can be done via inclusive measures that facilitate the meaningful participation of all young people in decision-making and spaces that concern them, especially through youth work. 

The Council Conclusions on the European and international policy agendas on children, youth and children’s rights 171  call on Member States and the Commission to facilitate a seamless transition from childhood to adulthood, especially for children and young people in a vulnerable societal position, and to improve cooperation, coordination, information and exchange at European level regarding the relevant policy fields. The Conclusions invite Member States to consider developing or elaborating upon existing national strategies or coordinated policies for children’s rights and youth, ensuring policy coherence between children, children’s rights, and youth affairs to coordinate age-related needs.

The 2023 Council Conclusions on the social dimension of a sustainable Europe for youth 172  stress that the social inclusion of young people is necessary to promote the understanding of the interconnected global challenges and to support young people in developing the knowledge, skills and competences for a more sustainable society. The Conclusions invited the Commission and Member States to consider the results of the 9th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue 173  and to include a rights-based youth perspective in the design and implementation of social inclusion and sustainable development policies. 

The 2023 Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion 174 includes recommendations to address the needs of young adults.

The Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities (2021-2030) aims to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, including young persons with disabilities who are more disadvantaged than their peers without disabilities. To this end, the Commission committed to supporting inclusive education, vocational education and skills training, and employment. The Strategy’s flagship initiatives are implemented through the Disability Platform that brings together various EU and national stakeholders and experts who oversee its implementation. Young persons with disabilities actively participate in the European Day of Persons with Disabilities, which attracts over 400 delegates from across the EU.

In the context of the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities, the Commission has published guidelines on inclusive and accessible recruitment and employment of persons with disabilities. The guidelines are complemented by examples collected from across Europe and they aim to promote employing persons with disabilities 175 .

On 17 and 18 April 2024, in cooperation with the European Crime Prevention Network, the Commission organised a Crime Prevention Conference. The main topic was preventing the recruitment of young people in organised crime. Participants shared experiences and lessons learned in order to combat this complex phenomenon.

The EU Anti-racism action plan 2020-2025 176 acknowledges the role that young people can play in combatting racism and discrimination, and an important step in this direction is to listen to those affected by racism and discrimination and involve them in consultations and decision-making processes.

Collecting and using accurate and comparable equality data across Europe is also fundamental to combat social exclusion and discrimination experienced by young people belonging to specific vulnerable groups. Equality data would reflect current inequalities in several key areas of life and inform policymaking, allowing to assess the scale and nature of discrimination and social exclusion of specific groups of young people.

·Protecting children

The EU Strategy on the rights of the child 177   is a comprehensive EU policy framework adopted by the Commission in 2021 to ensure the protection of rights of all children, and secure access to basic services for vulnerable children. Three years after the adoption, the Commission has delivered on commitments to turn this Strategy into action. This brings progress to empower children, promote and protect their rights, offline and online, in the EU and globally, as a key achievement of the 2019-2024 Commission mandate and across all areas identified in the strategy. Based on the progress, the Commission will continue maximising its impact on the daily lives of children and responding to new challenges.

The 2022 Council Conclusions on the EU Strategy on the rights 178  confirmed a common commitment to fulfil the rights of all children without any discrimination, increase efforts to prevent and combat all forms of violence against children, strengthen justice systems and increase opportunities for children to be responsible and resilient members of the digital society.

As announced in the Strategy, the Commission adopted in April 2024 a Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child 179 . With this Recommendation, the EU aims to bring together all its actions to protect children from violence. The Recommendation encourages coordination among authorities at different levels, professionals across sectors, international and civil society organisations and other stakeholders. It calls upon all child protection actors to work together to protect children from any form of violence (physical, mental, including in the digital world) in a coherent and systemic way. It also underlines that families, communities and children themselves have a key role to play. Integrated child protection systems should ensures a continuum of comprehensive and coordinated support in cases of violence, which starts with prevention and early identification of the very first signs of violence. Reporting should lead to swift cross-sectoral support, including for mental health. Training and coordination of professionals are key. The Recommendation echoes the views of more than
1 000 children collected through the  EU Children's Participation Platform 180 .

The Commission continues to support EU Member States in the implementation of the Council Recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee 181 , which guides Member States in preventing and combating social exclusion. By 2030, it aims to ensure that children at risk of poverty or social exclusion have effective and free access to early childhood education and care, education (including school-based activities), a healthy meal each school day, and healthcare. Effective access to healthy nutrition and adequate housing are also to be guaranteed. By the end of 2023, all Member States had submitted to the Commission their national action plans for carrying out the European Child Guarantee, and, by 9 October 2024, 17 of them had also finalised progress reports. Across the EU, a wide range of stakeholders – including children themselves – are involved in designing, implementing and monitoring measures responding to the European Child Guarantee.

As part of the 2022 Technical Support Instrument cycle 182 , a specific call on the implementation of the European Child Guarantee was launched to support authorities in carrying out actions and policies that prevent and combat child poverty and social exclusion. In Slovakia, the project supports authorities with a revised model for the social inclusion of children with disabilities in substitute care through an integrated package of quality services. In Portugal, the project supports improving child well-being and tackling child poverty and the social exclusion of children and young people by focusing on successfully implementing and monitoring the European Child Guarantee.

The EU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse 183 , adopted in July 2020, puts forward a series of legislative and non-legislative initiatives to ensure the protection of children and young people from sexual abuse and exploitation and provide appropriate support and assistance if they fall victims of these crimes. On this basis the Commission adopted the proposal for a regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse 184  that sets out measures for companies to combat abuse on their services. The EU Strategy also includes the proposal for a Regulation 185 to combat child sexual abuse that lays down temporary and strictly limited rules for companies to carry out the voluntary detection of child sexual abuse. The co-legislators also revised the 2011 Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography 186 . It sets out a common framework for criminal investigations into – and the prosecution of – child sexual abuse and exploitation crimes. In addition, to help EU Member States put in place effective prevention measures against child sexual abuse in the EU the Commission is setting up a network for the prevention of child sexual abuse.

Child trafficking is a rapidly evolving and multi-faceted form of trafficking in human beings. It is a severe form of human exploitation, violence against children, child abuse and the violation of children’s rights. Children in the EU are trafficked for all types of exploitation, mainly sexual exploitation and forced criminality but also forced begging, forced marriage and labour exploitation.

According to 2022 data published by Eurostat, the number of registered victims of trafficking in human beings in the EU was 10 093 187 . 15% of these victims were children. Since 2013 the proportion of child victims of trafficking in human beings has never been as low as it was in 2022. In 2022, children made up 22% of the trafficking victims of sexual exploitation, 7% of the trafficking victims of labour exploitation and 15% of the trafficking victims of exploitation for other purposes. 75% of the child victims of trafficking in human beings are girls, mostly exploited for sexual purposes. 74% are EU citizens, and 67% of them are exploited in their own country. Finally, the 2022 data shows that prosecutions and convictions remain low and 6% of the suspects and convicts are children 188 .

The amended Anti-Trafficking Directive, adopted on 27 May 2024, is based on a victim centred and child sensitive approach and contains reinforced provisions, which also address child trafficking and serve to further protect children. The modified Directive includes the exploitation of surrogacy, of forced marriage and of illegal adoption among the forms of exploitation as well as it places a greater emphasis on the online dimension, by including trafficking committed through the use of information and communication technologies to be considered as an aggravating circumstance in cases of sexual exploitation. Moreover, knowingly using services provided by victims of trafficking becomes a criminal offence. In addition, the modified Directive pays specific attention to children in residential or closed-type institutions and encourages Member States to ensure that national child protection systems develop specific plans to prevent human trafficking. The Directive also provides for confidential, child-friendly and accessible reporting procedures for child victims and requires specialised services, child-friendly accommodation and individual support to be provided until adulthood. The EU Strategy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2021-2025 also contains actions specifically aimed at combating child trafficking, including prevention, awareness raising, detection and identification, investigation, prosecution as well as the protection of and assistance to victims, taking into account victims’ perspective and needs.

·Young people in rural and remote areas

The Commission aims to support and leave no one behind, including young people in rural and remote areas. In line with the EU Youth Strategy 2021-2027 and European Youth Goal #6 on ‘Moving rural youth forward’, the Commission is committed to the Long-Term vision for the EU’s rural areas and its action plan for stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas, of which rural young people are part of 189 . Implementation of the Long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas 190  , which proposed a Rural Pact and a Rural Action Plan, is advancing. Under the Rural Pact, almost 2 700 members from organisations and authorities at EU, national, regional and local levels are collaborating to forge stronger cooperation across different policy areas for stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas, including in activities focused on young rural people. The Rural Pact has produced good practices for attracting young people to rural areas. To enhance rural youth participation in policy making, it has also organised a good practice webinar on the topic 191 and set up a community group on rural youth 192 . 

Under the stronger pillar, the Long-Term vision for EU’s rural areas also includes a “Support education, training, youth, sport and volunteering in rural areas” action to increase opportunities for young people in rural areas. Action has also been taken under the “Prosperous” pillar of the rural vision by “encouraging Member States to increase education, training and employment opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas under the Youth Guarantee and the European Education Area 193 . 

The Commission report on implementation of the vision 194 , presented in March 2024, highlights, for example, LEADER local development strategies as a tool to respond to rural needs in areas such as employment, social inclusion and services. The report also mentions that reaching out to young people in rural and remote areas as well as offering services to them has been acknowledged as an important issue to tackle. Even though there have been positive developments in some Member States, creating jobs and providing social services for young people in these areas remains a challenge in most Member States.

As part of the European Year of Youth 2022, about 1 200 activities helped support rural youth. In addition, two policy dialogues, with Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski and with Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira, involved young people from rural areas. The EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership also aims to monitor the implementation of youth strategies in Europe, with the preparation of a report for 2025 on ‘Opportunities for young people living in rural and remote areas in the EU in terms of non-formal learning, active citizenship and participation’ 195 .

In its Conclusions on providing glocal opportunities for young people living in rural and remote areas 196 , the Council called for greater support for young people living in rural and remote areas – in particular by improving access to ‘glocal’ opportunities in education and employment – as a way to combat demographic challenges in Europe. The Council also called on the Commission to improve access to relevant EU initiatives and funds, and increase the visibility of rural youth in the EU’s youth programmes, including the post-2027 EU Youth Strategy.

The Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 (CAP) provides funding support to EU countries under specific objectives aiming to, among other things, attract young farmers, facilitate business development and promote employment, growth and local development in rural areas. The Strategic Plans of the EU countries for the period 2023-2027 combine funding for income support, rural development and market measures. Specific support to young farmers (up to 40 years old) features prominently in the Strategic Plans 197 . In the CAP Strategic Plans, the participation of young people and women in LEADER governing boards has been encouraged. A Youth LEADER forum co-organised by the EU CAP Network and the Finnish National Network in June 2024, focused on ways to further increase the power, participation and commitment of young people in LEADER policy making and implementation. 198

The EU youth programmes Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps in their “Inclusion and Diversity Strategy” 199  supports young people living in remote or rural areas, on small islands, or in peripheral or outermost regions, urban suburbs, less serviced areas (with limited public barriers to their active participation in EU youth policy and programmes).

In addition, young people living in remote or rural areas experience transport poverty (i.e. the lack of adequate transport services necessary to access essential services, school and work, or the inability to pay for these transport services). However, they will benefit from measures financed under the Social Climate Fund (SCF) 200 , which is the first EU funding instrument created with the specific purpose of addressing energy and transport poverty and will be operational from 2026 to 2032. It will support vulnerable groups of society, including vulnerable transport users, who are most affected by the green transition.

·Support instruments

The ALMA initiative (Aim, Learn, Master, and Achieve) supports mobility across the EU for vulnerable young NEETs aged 18-29 203 . Both Erasmus+ and the European Solidary Corps provide accessible and flexible formats of activities to increase the participation of young people with fewer opportunities. Under the European Solidarity Corps, for example, a special format of volunteering in groups can be proposed for young people who do not yet feel ready to volunteer on their own. Short-term volunteering in teams can serve as a bridge for long-term activities. Over 51% of the total number of volunteers supported by the European Solidarity Corps since 2021 have been young people with fewer opportunities. Looking at the priorities tackled in the projects where these young people are involved, 3 112 of them have inclusion and diversity at their core. A total amount of EUR 243.5 million in grants was contracted for these projects, involving 46 000 participants 204 . There are also solidarity projects that provide in-country activities, meaning that participants who for different reasons are reluctant to go far away from home can still participate and develop their skills.

In addition, in all education and training sectors, participants have had access to a more varied mobility offer since the start of the current Erasmus+ programme in 2021. In the school education and VET sectors, in addition to short-term and long-term individual mobility activities, educational providers can also send learners abroad in groups for peer-to-peer experiences in schools. This is often an ideal way for young learners to have a first experience abroad and to gain the confidence to go for a learning mobility alone.

In higher education, with the introduction of blended mobility, participants now have the opportunity to opt for physical mobilities with a shorter time period if the mobility is accompanied by a virtual component. This allows those who feel they are unable to go on a long-term mobility to participate in a shorter physical mobility. These shorter mobilities can also act as a stepping stone to longer mobility experiences later in their studies. In addition, students, learners and pupils falling into one of the nationally defined categories of people with fewer opportunities get a bigger Erasmus+ grant.

In the field of youth, there is also additional financial support, in the form of top-ups and real cost support, and a range of support measures to encourage the participation of young people with fewer opportunities, including participants from the outermost regions, and better cater to their specific needs. The Erasmus+ youth worker mobilities provide opportunities to promote inclusive practices in participating organisations. Support is also available to give youth workers with fewer opportunities the same possibilities as others to exchange with their peers. Another action under Erasmus+ is the DiscoverEU inclusion action: organisations and informal groups of young people can receive support to carry out projects allowing young people with fewer opportunities to participate in DiscoverEU on an equal footing with their peers.

The Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability was adopted on 16 June 2022. The Recommendation seeks to support the development, implementation and recognition of micro-credentials across institutions, businesses, sectors and borders. Micro-credentials offer a flexible, targeted way to help people, including young people, develop the knowledge, skills and competences they need for their personal and professional development. Some Erasmus+ projects focus on the development of micro-credentials that would help integrate young people in the society. One example is the project called ‘Promoting high quality’, digital transformation (VR gamification) and green transition in inclusive YW practices for youth with hearing impairment (or deafness) for better employability prospects” implemented from 2024 to 2026 in 5 countries. The project aims to providing green employability skills and empowers young people and youth workers with hearing impairment by offering capacity-building training that ends with them receiving micro-credentials. 

Erasmus+ and the European Solidary Corps strive to make the programme documentation easy to understand for young people. This includes, where possible, the use of different languages and formats. The programmes also ensure the user-friendliness and accessibility of digital learning environments, such as the European Youth Portal. Both programmes also offer ‘Reinforced Mentorship' - an intensified mentoring process that can be used to support participants with fewer opportunities.

Given that language skills are regularly mentioned as a barrier to participate in the programmes, language learning opportunities supporting mobility activities are provided through the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Online Language Support (OLS) and through other financial linguistic incentives. Participants who wish to improve their language proficiency have the opportunity to follow online language courses before and during their time abroad. The OLS platform offers a wide array of interactive and personalized learning activities in 29 languages, helping participants overcome language barriers during their mobility. OLS enhances users’ language proficiency without limiting the number of languages or courses followed, ensuring they can fully benefit from their international experiences.

Since its launch in July 2022, approximately 227 000 users have registered in OLS learning communities, with about 335 000 course enrolments. Additionally, around 544 000 placement tests were taken by users to test their langue level, and 230 000 users participated in discussion forums run by 29 OLS community managers. In 2023 and 2024, new Vocational Education and Training courses were introduced in 10 fields of expertise focusing on the essential skills and competencies required for vocational roles, with job-specific vocabulary and communication skills. Furthermore, cultural elements are emphasised to help learners understand nuances, etiquette and expectations, which are crucial for successful cross-border vocational experiences.

In certain cases where the main language is not covered by OLS, linguistic support is provided through other means by the sending or receiving organisation. On their return, participants can take a final assessment, which allows them to measure the progress made during their stay abroad.

The SALTO Youth Inclusion & Diversity resource centre 205 provides inclusion and diversity training, guidance and resources to support international youth work and young people with fewer opportunities. The report on inclusion in the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes (January 2024) 206 and the contribution of the inclusion and diversity strategy in improving inclusion in the youth field 207 have been published.

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) has allocated more than EUR 37.5 billion 208 to support social protection, housing and integration of vulnerable groups, which includes young people. The reforms and investments include improving and expanding social services and social housing, modernising social benefit systems, fighting energy poverty and improving access to food and water sanitation for those households most in need. For example, in Sweden, the RRF will provide investment aid for student housing by increasing the supply of new rental dwellings.

Many reforms and investments in the Member States’ recovery and resilience plans (RRPs) are in areas such as education and training, health, long-term care, housing and employment. The plans include specific actions that support inclusion and the well-being of socio-economically disadvantaged people and specific vulnerable groups.

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) provides funding for measures to address social inequalities and poverty. In the 2021-2027 programming period, Member States have had to earmark at least 25% of their ESF+ resources to promote social inclusion. Social inclusion measures funded under the ESF+ address a wide variety of issues and demographics, including support for the homeless, people with migrant backgrounds, people from disadvantaged groups and the Roma. While the ESF+ provides funding for social inclusion measures for people of all ages, certain measures target children and young people specifically. For example, all Member States, except Denmark and the Netherlands, have allocated a total of EUR 8.9 billion (EUR 6.1 billion in EU funding) of their ESF+ resources to address child poverty.

Satisfying basic material needs has been better integrated and implemented more efficiently than in the 2014-2020 programming period. Member States have had to allocate at least 3% of their ESF+ resources under shared management to support the most deprived persons. This funding falls under the specific objective to address material deprivation through food and/or basic material assistance and accompanying measures supporting their social inclusion, and, in duly justified cases, the specific objective to promote the social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

Four transnational projects were selected following a call for proposals under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund Thematic Facility, to support the inclusion of migrant children. The projects, which have been awarded more than EUR 5 million, focus on more effective language learning, involving local stakeholders, including schools, NGOs, local and regional authorities and migrant-led organisations.

Inclusive education for migrant children was also the focus of the European Integration Network 209 , the expert group on integration composed of Member States’ experts. The Network met from 29 to 31 May 2024 and discussed challenges and good practices on this topic.

Around EUR 2.9 billion has been allocated to integrating marginalised communities under the European Regional Development Fund in the 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes. The funding, which complements support under the European Social Fund Plus, goes to comprehensive measures on social inclusion and access to mainstream services in education, employment, housing, healthcare and social care for different target groups of the population, including young people. For example, it includes building and renovating individual non-segregated social housing and associated services, developing infrastructure and equipment for non-residential inclusive and quality community- and family-based services (such as social and health facilities, community and youth centres, and counselling services). This aims to ensure independent living conditions and actions to tackle spatial and educational segregation.

Under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, the Daphne strand provides funding to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children, young people and other groups at risk with an estimated EUR 200 million available over the programming period. In particular, since 2022, the calls for proposals have included a priority on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems, in line with the Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child. In 2023, over EUR 14 million was granted to seven intermediaries to regrant funding to and support the capacity of grassroot organisations working to strengthen integrated child protection systems. This will be done by improving prevention, protection, child rights-based and child-friendly support services for (potential) child victims, witnesses of violence and those in need of protection. These services will also involve multidisciplinary cooperation.

Under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, the Daphne strand provides funding to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children, young people and other groups at risk with an estimated 200 million euros available over the financing period In particular, since 2022, the calls for proposals include a priority on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems, in line with the Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child. In 2023, over 14 million euros were granted to 7 intermediaries to regrant funding to and support the capacity of grassroot organisations in strengthening integrated child protection system by improving prevention, protection, child rights-based and child-friendly support services for (potential) children victims/witnesses of violence and those in need of protection, including multi-disciplinary cooperation.

4.3Health and well-being 

One of the key policy areas of the 2022 European Year of Youth was to boost young people’s personal, social, and professional development, including attention for mental health. A number of health-related initiatives were launched under the European Year of Youth such as the Pathways to School Success, the Expert Group for supporting Well-being at school, and the Youth First Technical Support Instrument flagship.

The Flash Eurobarometer survey on mental health 210 , launched on 9 October 2023, showed that 59% of young people (16–24 year-olds) had an emotional or psychosocial problem (such as feeling depressed or feeling anxious) in the last 12 months. In addition, the Health at a Glance report 2022 211 showed that 1 in 2 young Europeans reported unmet needs, and that depression among young people more than doubled.

The European Youth Goal #5 is to achieve better mental well-being and end the stigmatisation of mental health issues, thus promoting the social inclusion of all young people. This goal places a particular focus on prevention measures, the development of an inclusive intersectional approach and the fight against stigmatising mental health issues.

Over EUR 42 billion 212 from the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) is allocated to increasing the resilience, sustainability, adequacy, availability, accessibility and quality of health care systems, which all benefits young people as well. Health infrastructure is being developed, modernised and digitalised, the equipment for treatment and diagnosis is being purchased, and primary care and prevention are being supported. Many investments and reforms also support changes to the management of public health funds, healthcare governance and the development of human resources in the healthcare sector. For example, in Poland, the RRF supports increasing the capacity of medical teaching facilities to attract more students, to modernise the medical teaching programme and improve the clinical base for teaching in central clinical hospitals.

Young people can benefit from investments in health and long-term care under the European Regional Development Fund. Member States and regions have allocated EUR 7.4 billion under ERDF in 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy programmes to the delivery of family and community-based care services. Measures are also in place to improve accessibility, effectiveness and resilience of health systems, including health infrastructure and equipment and digitalisation of healthcare. This support aims to improve health outcomes, strengthen primary care and foster disease prevention and person-centred care, which will in turn improve equal access to mainstream health and long-term care services.

·Mental health

Following the announcement of ‘a new initiative on mental health’ by President von der Leyen in her 2022 State of the Union address, the Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health 213 was adopted on 7 June 2023. The Commission consulted young people on this topic and took into account their opinions submitted through a voice recording platform and the youth policy dialogue with Commissioner Kyriakides, which was held during the European Year of Youth. This Communication marks a major step to ensure a new cross-sectoral approach to mental health.

The Communication was followed in November 2023 by Council Conclusions on a comprehensive approach to the mental health of young people in the European Union 214 . The Council Conclusions call on Member States to take action, especially in areas of national competence, such as mental health services. They highlight the importance of coordinated multi-sectoral efforts, involving young people’s views, to reduce and destigmatise mental health issues, and take into account the prevalence of these issues in policymaking. They also underscore the key role of youth work in protecting the mental health of young people by enabling them to participate in activities. These activities are largely based on the relationships and trust between young people and youth workers and help develop their capacity to seek help when they are facing emotional and psychological difficulties. The Conclusions invite Member States to encourage improving equal and affordable access for young people, especially those in vulnerable situations, to mental healthcare services that offer prevention, treatment and care, while increasingly working across disciplines and moving towards person-centred and community-based solutions. They invite the Commission to pay particular attention to promoting safer and healthier digital spaces for young people and to work on eradicating online hate speech, particularly targeting groups of young people in the most vulnerable situations 215 .

All 20 flagship initiatives of the Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health, are being implemented or have been completed 216 .   These actions are led by national authorities and stakeholders, with the coordination and horizontal support of the Commission. They include projects supported by EU financial instruments, such as the EU4Health programme 217 , Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, and the Digital Europe Programme 218 . The implementation of the comprehensive approach to mental health focuses on concrete actions benefitting citizens and health systems at the country level. These initiatives are spearheaded by national authorities and stakeholders, in collaboration with international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, and UNICEF.

Four flagship initiatives have been identified as having a particular impact on boosting the mental health of children and young people:

·Work has started on a ‘child and youth mental health network’ to exchange information, mutual support and perform outreach via the Youth Ambassadors;

·The Commission is supporting UNICEF in developing a ‘prevention toolkit’ addressing the links between mental and physical health and key health factors;

·In January 2024, the Commission launched the ‘Child &Youth Well-being and Mental Health First’ multi-country project under the Technical Support Instrument. This project is providing tailored technical expertise to four EU Member States to design and implement substantive reforms;

·The ‘Healthy Screens, Healthy Youth’ initiative aims to better protect young people in the digital sphere, online, and on social media.

An updated tracking framework 219 published on 10 October 2024 on the occasion of World Mental Health Day provides information on the implementation of the flagships stemming from the Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health.

A number of mental health-related initiatives were launched under the European Year of Youth such as the 2022 Council Recommendation on Pathways to School Success 220 and the Expert Group on supportive learning environments for groups at risk of underachievement and for supporting well-being at school. The Expert Group developed concrete guidelines 221 for policymakers and educators aimed at addressing well-being and mental health at school. Published in May 2024, the guidelines contain 11 recommendations coupled with tips and inspiring practices to help policymakers and educators to implement a whole-system and whole-school approach to well-being and mental health.  They advocate for comprehensive strategies to promote well-being, support for educators, and collaboration with various stakeholders to create healthier educational environments. 

The ‘Healthier Together’ - EU non-communicable diseases initiative provides the framework for the Commission’s support to Member States to address the key public health challenges, including mental health. Financial support via the EU4Health programme has been made available to support the implementation of actions under the Healthier Together initiative. For example, through the joint action ‘Mental Health Together’ 222 , national authorities are working together to promote mental health in community settings, such as schools. Stakeholder-led projects, such as EASE-Y, promote mental health and well-being among vulnerable adolescents and MELODIC provides mental health support for young adults with cancer.

The EU-CoE Youth Partnership is conducting a study on the mental health and well-being of young people as part of the Work plan 2024-2026. This involves analysing available support systems at different levels, providing guidance for policy and practice and further exploring the different triggers that aggravate young people’s mental health and well-being (socio-economic, climate, conflict, digitalisation, working conditions, etc.). The research is part of the Commission’s efforts to improve mental well-being and reduce the stigma of mental health issues.

The Youth Wiki Network published a report on ‘The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young people. Policy responses in European countries’ (2022) 223 . The report analysed how European countries addressed the challenges the pandemic created for the mental and emotional well-being of young people. The report concluded that European countries were generally proactive in drawing up measures to support young people during the pandemic. The findings also pointed to some areas where further action could be taken, such as youth work and sport. Based on the evidence provided and on the analysis conducted, the report can serve as inspiration for further action.

To facilitate communication among young people, the National Youth Agency of Malta developed the ‘Stories from young people during coronavirus’ project to give young people a voice during the pandemic. The project involved creating a platform where young people could recount their experiences of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Their stories highlighted the difficulties encountered and the resilience shown to overcome them. The platform provided information on resources available and, in doing so, served as inspiration for others to cope with similar challenges.

The types of measures implemented in countries focused on the use of online and social media to reach out to young audiences. In Austria, the ‘Fit & Strong 2021: #better together’ awareness campaign was conducted through posts and podcasts published on Facebook and Instagram. Well-known influencers were involved in raising awareness of how to recognise symptoms of mental and emotional distress among young people and awareness of available support services.

Online workshops addressing these issues were also organised. For example, Cyprus invited experts and young people to debate the state of young people’s mental health during the pandemic. Facebook Live discussions were also held to promote awareness of the challenges faced and to support resilience. Websites were also a common initiative across countries. Germany created an information portal – ‘Corona und du’ – on the mental health of children and adolescents. The website offered children and young people advice and assistance to support them during the pandemic and strengthen their psychological and emotional well-being.

The Joint Research Centre ran several activities on threats affecting young people’s well-being, including studies on loneliness,  on how schools can mitigate young people’s feelings of loneliness 224 , on socio-economic disadvantages and learning outcomes in Europe after the pandemic 225 , and what happened in households during the pandemic.

Under the BIK+ strategy, the Commission continues to co-fund the Safer Internet Centres network 226 and their helplines providing assistance to children and young people on online risks (such as cyberbullying) affecting their mental well-being and hotlines to report child sexual abuse material online 227 .

Under the Technical Support Instrument, the Commission is supporting the implementation of flagship initiatives of the Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health. Put forward in 2024, the Flagship Project on Mental health: Fostering well-being and mental health 228  demonstrated a high demand from authorities to design and implement reforms specifically targeted to the young generation. It supports the promotion of well-being at school, including the promotion of socio-emotional skills, the healthy use of technology, as well as addressing the mental health risks of online gambling and gaming. Already under the 2023 flagship Youth First 229 flagship project, nudging EU Member States to design and implement reforms dedicated to the young generations, several authorities from four EU Member States successfully requested support to address the emotional well-being and physical and mental health of young people. As a result of this joint effort, in January 2024, the Technical Support Instrument multi-country project supporting mental health and care for the well-being of vulnerable children and young people 230 was launched in the four participating EU Member States, namely Cyprus, Italy, Slovenia and the region of Andalusia (Spain). In all participating countries, the project develops tools and builds capacity across sectors to actively adress the promotion of healthy lifestyles and well-being and the prevention of mental health problems of young people. Youth associations are included in the project governance and are consulted in all key phases of the project. 

Well-being and mental health is an important priority of Erasmus+. For instance, through its Training and Cooperation Activities, Erasmus+ supports a long-term strategic activity on ‘Mental health in youth work’. It aims to raise awareness, develop mental health literacy and equip youth workers with the skills to support young people in a changing world. Health and well-being are also supported and promoted through projects receiving Erasmus+ funding. In the current programme’s 2021-2023 calls, there were 10 projects that focused on health and well-being that were funded under Key Action 2: Partnerships for cooperation and exchanges of good practices.

From 2021 to 2023, the European Solidarity Corps placed a strong emphasis on supporting activities in the field of health (including mental health and well-being). Each year, this field was one of the specific annual priorities for the programme’s centralised action ‘Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas’. Beyond the scope of this action, the priority also inspired a range of projects across the other action formats (volunteering projects and solidarity projects implemented at decentralised level). In 2023, the health priority focused more on vulnerable and disadvantaged population groups, including gender-specific needs and issues relating to mental health.

Detailed reporting on the activities of both programmes is available in the 2023 Erasmus+ annual report 231 and the 2021-2023 European Solidarity Corps report 232 .

Under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV programme, the 2024 call for proposals on the rights of the child and children’s participation included a priority on children’s mental health. 12 projects were selected with a total budget of over EUR 5.6 million to tackle children’s mental health, prioritising prevention, protection and support in a multidisciplinary and participatory approach involving children.

Several Horizon Europe projects 233 focus on the relationship between young people’s health – including mental health – and the environment. This research contributes to the understanding of how environmental factors shape health outcomes, disease prevention, and the overall well-being in young people.

·Health and sport

Sport and physical activity are crucial for young people’s health and well-being. Regular exercise and sport is crucial for staying physically and mentally fit. Sport helps tackle weight and obesity and plays an important part in preventing and reducing the impact of many other health-related conditions. There are also serious social and economic costs related to physical inactivity. While the obligation of legislating health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) lies with Member States, the Commission is able to support, coordinate and complement national actions.

The Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO) have highlighted the benefits of organised and non-organised sports 234 , which play a vital role in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among Europe’s young people. To encourage the development of effective policies in Member States, most activities in the field of sport now focus on implementing the Council Recommendation on promoting health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) across sectors 235 . Commission activities therefore push for strengthening cooperation between stakeholders – EU Member States, the WHO , and civil society. In late 2023, the Commission and the WHO Regional Office for Europe signed a joint contribution agreement, strengthening collaboration begun in 2015. The agreement supports EU Member States in developing, implementing and evaluating policies to increase levels of health-enhancing physical activity.

In addition, as a follow-up to the Tartu Call for a Healthy Lifestyle   236 (which reached 180 000 Europeans and collected 103 pledges across Europe), the Commission set up HealthyLifestyle4All 237 , a two-year campaign running from 2021 to 2023 that aimed to link sport and active lifestyles with health, food and other policies. It showcased the Commission’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles for everyone across generations and social groups, noting that everyone can benefit from activities that improve health and well-being.

Each participating organisation and institution committed voluntarily to carry out an initiative, activity or campaign to promote healthy lifestyles for all, across generations and social groups. Such a pledge may have consisted of an original initiative or an addition to an existing activity to be launched during the campaign. The ultimate aim of a pledge was to make a specific contribution to HealthyLifestyle4All.

The Mapping on healthy lifestyles study, published in December 2023 238 , takes stock of two years of activity of the HealthyLifestyle4All campaign.

The EU4Health programme also promotes healthy lifestyles. For example, the Health4EUKids joint action implements best practices on promoting healthy lifestyles among children and their families. Another example is the Schools4Health project, which aims to make every school a health-promoting school that prioritises the health of the school community.

·Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

As part of the Prevention Package under the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission published in January 2024 a Proposal for a Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers 239 . This proposal includes measures to boost the uptake of vaccination against human papillomaviruses among preadolescent and adolescent children.

On 17 September 2024, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Recommendation on smoke and aerosol-free environments 240 , which replaces Council Recommendation of 2009 aiming to protect people from exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols and contributing to achieving a tobacco-free generation.

In September 2023, as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission launched an evaluation study of the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 241 . The objectives of the evaluation study are to examine the progress of the Action Plan and to provide an overview of the efforts carried out by EU Member States to address its key areas, as well as ongoing and planned actions on childhood obesity. In addition, it aims to identify obstacles and remaining challenges and to collect best practices in policy approaches contributing to the promotion of healthy diets from a young age. The findings of the study will contribute to informing the Member States and the Commission on the possibility for future action at national level and feed into a potential revision or follow-up of the EU action plan.

Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan looks specifically at helping children with cancer. It focuses on access to diagnosis and treatment through the new EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres. It also includes an inter-speciality cancer training programme to help deliver the highest standards of care. This complements what has already been done by the European Reference Network for paediatric cancer (PaedCAN), which aims to increase survival rates and quality of life through cooperation, research and training.

One of the goals for patients and survivors is ensuring a high quality of life. For instance, a Cancer Survivor Smart Card is being developed to help improve the health and well-being of cancer survivors throughout Europe. In addition, a Youth Cancer Survivors Network is now up and running to spark dialogue between young cancer survivors.

In 2023, the EU Cancer Mission launched a new dialogue with young cancer survivors 242 from all over Europe through a series of thematic workshops and a conference to better understand the challenges they face during and after cancer treatment. The enables young cancer patients and survivors to co-create initiatives that will help address their specific needs, focusing on physical and mental well-being and other aspects, such as follow-up care and continuity in education. The dialogue has led to many concrete outcomes, including a research topic in the Horizon Europe Cancer Mission 2024 work programme on the late effects of cancer treatment and quality of life and a study on the provision of adolescent and young adult care in Europe under the 2024 EU4Health work programme. The engagement also helps increase the awareness of the needs of young cancer survivors among stakeholders and Member States. This was, for example, the main goal of the workshop on ‘Improving quality of life of young cancer survivors’ at the Research and Innovation Days 2024 held on 21 March 2024 243 . Similarly, young cancer survivors are actively supporting the Cancer Mission Bus Roadshow 244 piloted in 2024 in Lithuania, Poland and Romania. The roadshow aims to raise awareness of cancer, focusing on prevention and screening, as well as the crucial role of research to progress in the fight against cancer.

·Illicit drug use

The Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health 245 can play an important supportive role in helping Member States address the mental health needs of young people affected by drug use. The Communication emphasises early intervention, support for psychological well-being and integration of mental health services into drug prevention and harm reduction programmes. Its flagship project, EU-PROMENS 246 , helps build the capacity of health and other professionals in delivering multidisciplinary training and exchange, including those affected by drug use.

The EU Drugs Strategy 2021-2025 247 prioritises measures relevant to children and young people. The European Drug Report 2024: Trends and Developments 248  presents the European Union Drugs Agency’s latest analysis of the drug situation in Europe. Surveys conducted by most EU Member States suggest that in the 15-34 age group, 1.5 million people used amphetamines in 2023 (i.e. 1.5% of this age group), 2.2 million used MDMA (2.2%) and 2.5 million used cocaine (2.5%).

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, was reported in acute drug-toxicity presentations to emergency services of 6 out of 23 sentinel hospitals in 2022. Most cases involved young males (under 25) who went to emergency services during weekdays. A small number of cases involved alcohol, and cannabis was the drug most commonly reported in cases of polydrug use toxicity.

LSD was reported by 15 centres in 12 of the 17 participating EU Member States and Norway in 2022. The drug was reported in an estimated 0.7% of presentations (median) across the 23 centres. Three quarters of the presentations were in males, and 40% were younger than 25 years. One in three LSD-related presentations required admission to intensive care.

4.4Education and training 

Education and training formed a central topic during the European Year of Youth. They are crucial for personal and societal development and to equip individuals with essential knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities needed to navigate and succeed in an increasingly complex world.

The importance of learning mobility is emphasised in: i) the 2024 Commission Communication on the European Year of Youth 2022 249 ; ii) the 2022 Council Recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers 250 ; iii) the 2024 Council Recommendation ‘Europe on the Move’ 251 ; and iv) the recommendations of the 2022 Conference on the Future of Europe 252 . These outline several actions aimed at sustaining the legacy of the Year and continuing to advance in this area.

The EU aims to enable all Europeans to receive the best education and training possible, regardless of their background or circumstances. To advance this, it has committed to creating a European Education Area (EEA) 253 , a common space for quality and inclusive education and lifelong learning across borders for all. To achieve this vision, the European cooperation takes place within the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021-2030) set out in the February 2021 Council Resolution 254 . To help the education and training systems adapt to the digital age, the Commission has adopted the Digital Education Action Plan (DEAP) 2021-2027 255 . The Action Plan is a key enabler to achieving the European Education Area, setting out a long-term approach and vision for high-quality, inclusive and accessible digital education in Europe 256 .

In 2023, the Commission carried out a mid-term review process of the EEA 257 , and several important themes emerged for continued cooperation: the importance of boosting equity and inclusion, of tackling teacher shortages, and of enhancing European citizenship education, of which the last places particular importance on youth for Europe’s future. Enhancing youth participation through non-formal and informal learning, youth work and volunteering contributes to civic engagement and active citizenship, and complements European citizenship education in formal education and training settings. In the 2023 Council Conclusions on the contribution of education and training to strengthening common European values and democratic citizenship 258 , Member States affirm the role of education in shaping active, engaged and creative citizens.

As part of the European Education Area, the 2022 Council Recommendation on Pathways to School Success 259 offers policy guidance to Member States for systemic approaches to reducing underperformance in basic skills, and early leaving from education and training and promoting upper secondary education completion.

In March 2023, the Commission adopted the European Higher education package  260 , in order to pave the way towards a European degree, in line with the European strategy for universities 261 , to give students more opportunities to study at various universities in different EU countries and to graduate with a single widely recognised diploma. The The aim is to have a degree that would be automatically recognised everywhere in the EU, awarded jointly and on a voluntary basis by a group of universities across Europe, based on a common set of criteria agreed at EU level.

Central to realising the ambition of the pathway for a European degree and making the European Education Area a reality, the European Universities initiative brings together a new generation of Europeans who are able to study and work in different European countries, in different languages, across sectors and academic disciplines. As of 2024 262 , 65 alliances encompass more than 570 higher education institutions of all types, providing students in all parts of Europe, including in rural areas and outermost regions, with access to a richer education offer, in cooperation with research departments and businesses. Pooling their expertise, knowledge and resources, including expensive equipment, the alliances allow students to develop a broader, future-oriented set of skills and competences including in strategic sectors, while fostering a sense of European belonging.

There are different ways of learning and the European Commission finds each of them relevant. Formal education is highly structured, occurring in traditional institutions like schools and universities, and leads to recognised certifications and degrees. In contrast, non-formal education is flexible and takes place in diverse settings such as community centres and workplaces, focusing on practical skills and personal development without necessarily leading to formal certifications.

To promote learning about the EU from an early age and reach out to new groups, the scope of Jean Monnet actions under Erasmus+ was widened to include schools and vocational education and training (VET) institutions. Launched in 2022, the newest Jean Monnet action, Learning EU Initiatives 263 , enables teachers in schools and VET institutions in the Erasmus+ programme countries to develop activities bringing facts and knowledge on the EU to a broad spectrum of learners, also reaching out to their community (parents and families, local actors and authorities). To help teachers’ engage their students on EU matters, Jean Monnet Teacher Training funds activities proposed by higher education institutions and institutes offering teacher training to deliver specific training to teachers. These institutions can apply for a grant up to EUR 300 000 for a period of 3 years. Lastly, the Jean Monnet Schools Networks enable good practices to be exchanged between schools and higher education institutions. Networks with a minimum six schools and VET institutions from at least three different Erasmus+ programme countries can apply for a grant of up to EUR 300 000 over a three-year period.

The Long-Term vision for EU’s rural areas 264 includes a “Support education, training, youth, sport and volunteering in rural areas” action to increase opportunities for young people in rural areas. Actions have also been taken under the prosperous pillar of the rural vision by “encouraging Member States to increase education, training and employment opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas under the Youth guarantee and the European Education area 265 ;

Youth4Regions 266   helps journalism students and young journalists learn about the EU and its actions in their region. In 2023, 42 participants from the EU, as well as neighbouring and accession countries came to Brussels for a week to follow training sessions about journalism and the EU, receive mentorship and work together with experienced journalists, and visit media organisations. The programme includes the Megalizzi – Niedzielski prize, which rewards aspiring journalists that show a strong attachment to the EU and its values.

In the alumni survey of January 2022, 78% of the respondents deemed the programme to have benefited their career thanks to networking and professional advice, while half think that their skills improved. The vast majority of the respondents also found that the programme helped their personal development, be it in terms of understanding of the EU (93%), intercultural understanding (71%) or creating friendships (62%). 17% mentioned that the programme enabled them to start their professional careers. The latest selection of applicants took place on 15 August 2024. Successful young journalists came together in Brussels for training, monitoring and exchanges in October 2024.

In line with the Council Recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe 267 , and as part of the European Year of Skills, the European Competence Framework for Researchers (ResearchComp) was officially launched with a dedicated website in July 2024, after being developed in close consultation with stakeholders. It is part of an overall package of measures that the Commission developed to strengthen research careers in Europe. ResearchComp identifies and describes, including with learning outcomes, the transversal competences that researchers are advised to develop for successful careers spanning across sectors. It continues to be promoted among stakeholders, generating a high level of interest and use, and there was a call in Horizon Europe’s 2024 WIDERA work programme to support its implementation.

It is further promoted in EU TalentOn, a science competition for early career researchers representing all disciplines of science, aged between 21 and 35, who are working, studying or completing their PhD in Europe. This programme is addressed to everyone willing to develop innovative solutions in order to achieve one of the EU’s five objectives: i) adaptation to climate change, ii) cancer prevention and cancer patient care, iii) ocean and water restoration, iv) smart cities, and v) transition towards healthy soils. Initiated, funded, and co-created by the European Commission, EU TalentOn was launched as a part of the 2022 European Year of Youth. The following edition took place in Katowice in September 2024. The first edition of EU TalentOn brought to Leiden 104 researchers between 21 and 35 years old to work in teams on a challenge related to one of the five EU Missions, and it featured a programme co-created with academia, entrepreneurs and industry.The next edition took place in Katowice, European City of Science 2024, in September 2024.

The EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) is a science competition for 14 to 20 year olds, organised annually by the Commission. It brings together winners of national science competitions to compete on an international stage where they present their projects to an esteemed jury. The contest is about young people, scientific excellence and innovative ideasand aims to encourage contestants to study STE(A)M subjects and to pursue careers in science, research and innovation. EUCYS laureates are the brightest of Europe’s future scientists and it is important to provide a safe, encouraging, engaging and stimulating environment for them to interact with high level scientists and their peers. Over 3,500 contestants have taken part since the first contest took place 35 years ago. It is estimated that over 500,000 students embark on scientific projects every year in the hope of reaching national and international science fairs for school going students. The 2022 edition of the European Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) took place under as part of the European Year of Youth, bringing together almost 140 young scientists from 14 to 20 years of age to showcase their scientific projects and to exchange knowledge and experiences with their peers, encouraging them (especially young girls) to pursue a career in science. The contest took place in 2023 in Brussels and in 2024 in Katowice. The next edition will be in Riga in 2025.

Leiden European City of Science 2022 was a year-long initiative co-funded by the European Commission, designed to engage the public with science through a 365-day festival featuring daily activities such as lectures, workshops, exhibitions, excursions, and events. This stream of activities was dedicated to young people, shedd light on the importance of youth for a better, greener, more inclusive and digital future, and launched several initiative to engage the European youth in science. A key focus was youth involvement, in line with the European Year of Youth. Notable youth-centred events included the Bright Young Minds programme, providing opportunities for young people to participate in scientific discussions and collaborative problem-solving events. The second edition of the festival, although in a less extensive form, took place in Katowice in 2024. While the Commission’s support for the European City of Science concludes after 2024, it has introduced a new initiative called ‘Science Comes to Town,’ which will be piloted in 2026 and aims to achieve similar objectives.

Under Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, three dedicated calls for fundings were published to support and strengthen the development and implementation of a STE(A)M 268 education approach across Europe.

With the dedicated funds for widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA) 269 , a first call for funding intitled “Developing a STE(A)M roadmap for Science Education in Horizon Europe” funded three projects with an EU contribution of €5 129 446,25, which started in September 2022. The EU funded project Road-STEAMer 270  is creating a STEAM roadmap for science education in Horizon Europe, providing guidance to the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation on how to foster greater interest in STEM through the integration of artistic and creative thinking. The EU funded project SENSE 271 is working on shaping a flexible roadmap for future-making STEAM education across Europe to radically re-configure the education of young citizens, by connecting schools with life and society with work. The last EU funded project from this cluster, SEER 272 , is currently developing a set of roadmaps that will pave the way for the policy and institutional changes necessary for the large-scale implementation and mainstreaming of STE(A)M education in Europe.

Through another WIDERA call for funding, “Support to the implementation of an EU Manifesto for STE(A)M education and research and innovation career paths to tackle gender inequalities in the ERA”, the EU funded project ST(R)E(A)M IT 273  started on January 1st 2024 with a total EU contribution of EUR 1.8 million. Its main objective is to initiate change about the persisting gender inequalities in STEM education, research, and innovation to contribute to the implementation of the ‘The European Manifesto for gender-inclusive STE(A)M education and careers’. By encouraging sustainable collaboration between STEM-oriented businesses, secondary and higher education institutions, research organisations, informal science education establishments, NGOs, and civil society organisations, ST(R)E(A)M IT intends to provide several tools to close the existing gender gap in STEM education and career.

Under the Cluster 2 ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ 274 , a call on ‘Cultural and creative approaches for gender-responsive STEAM education’ funded the EU project STEAMbrace 275 . The project started its activity on 1 January 2024 with an EU contribution of EUR 2.9 million. By merging STEM with arts, the project hopes to create a strong European alliance, employing creativity and evidence-based approaches to create a sustainable and inclusive STEAM education methodology. It will in particular raise awareness about the value of STE(A)M education, R&I for competitiveness, gender equality and career perspectives by implementing the first EU STE(A)M week for future women innovators. It will also include validation with 11 to 18-year-old students to better understand gaps and limitations in STEM education across demographics.

The Commission addresses the underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM education and training, including through the STEAM approach and the Women in Digital initiative 276 , in line with the Digital Education Action Plan, the European Strategy for Universities, and the Digital Decade Policy Programme target. More concretely, as part of the action plan, over 47 000 girls aged 14-19 in 23 countries boosted their digital and entrepreneurial competences by completing the Girls Go Circular 277 training programme since the launch of its pilot in 2020. Also, over 13 ESTEAM Fests for girls and women have been organised, which are 1-day workshops taking place across Europe.

The Commission is supporting 12 EU Member States in designing and implementing skills reforms under the Technical Support Instrument 2024 flagship on Skills 278 . The projects selected help develop young people’s skills for them to thrive economically and personally via quality early childhood education and care, the development of competence-based curriculum, skills forecasting system, and micro-credentials across all stages of education, and integration of migrants and refugee children through the education system.

For example, the Commission will help Portugal further strengthen its capacity to assess the skills needs and effectively target skills mismatches in higher education. It will do so by developing a forecasting system that can be used by higher education institutions to better adjust their offer to the labour market needs and address challenges emerging from rapid technological developments, the digital revolution and green transition as well as demographic and geopolitical changes.

Under the TSI 2025 Flagship Technical Support project on Addressing Demographic Change Through Reforms 279 , the European Commission is offering support to EU Member States to help the young generation by means of education reforms. Possible support areas include: improving the inclusiveness, quality and accessibility of education and training systems at all levels, including non-formal and informal learning, also through the engagement of families in children learning; facilitating the acquisition and consolidation of basic skills and key competences ; promoting whole-school approaches to combatting underachievement and early leaving from education and training and promoting school success for all learners, through partnerships with local services, NGOs, social, health professionals, and the community at large, including parents.

As a follow-up to the Council Recommendation of 24 November 2020 on vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience 280 , Member States have designed their national implementation plans to respond to the agreed priorities. Many of the measures focus on young people in initial VET such as development of work-based learning / apprenticeship schemes, or on building up Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) .

Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) are partnerships comprising local and regional public and private actors and stakeholders that work together to provide high quality vocational education, training, and skills for young people and adults. The Erasmus+ programme provides EUR 400 million to fund at least 100 CoVE projects in the period 2021-2027. In the period 2021-2023, 41 projects have been running, and additional 16 new projects were selected under the 2024 call. Many CoVEs focus on horizontal topics relevant for youth.

The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) aims to strengthen the supply, quality and overall image of apprenticeships across Europe, while also promoting mobility of apprentices. Since its launch in 2013, 41 countries 281 have made national commitments under the Alliance, and in 2022 and 2023, also Armenia, Georgia and Moldova joined the EAfA.  In 2024, EAfA received more almost 470 pledges made by various apprenticeship stakeholders. Altogether, companies, employers and intermediaries have pledged to provide over 3 million apprenticeships opportunities since 2013.

The European Apprentices Network (EAN) is a platform which since 2017 has regrouped apprentices, youth organisations and other bodies related to apprenticeships. Its aim is to ensure that young apprentices are involved in policymaking related to VET and apprenticeships. In 2024 the EAN carried out a survey to address the mental well-being of apprentices 282 , to identify the challenges they face, potential solutions and effective practices. 

As for promoting the importance of financial literacy, especially that of the framework for children and young people published by the Commission and the OECD/INFE in September 2023, the Commission and the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority organised a high level Conference on financial literacy, resilience and inclusion under the Belgian Presidency on 20 February 2024 . The conference addressed the different dimensions of financial literacy and looked at how to build on existing work in this area to identify opportunities, challenges and best practices. The conference as well as the financial competence frameworks contribute to the aim of empowering the youth and creating a more inclusive society.

Following the call in April 2024 by the European Council for “strengthening financial literacy of citizens and promoting awareness-raising initiatives”, on 14 May 2024 the Council adopted detailed Conclusions on financial literacy 283 . In these Conclusions, the Council encourages Member States to consider integrating financial education in school curricula and foster financial education for adults through events, seminars, workshops and awareness raising campaigns. It also invites the Commission to continue promoting the uptake of the financial competence frameworks and to facilitate the exchange of best practices by Member States and its stakeholders.

The defence and aerospace ecosystems are essential for EU and its citizens’ security and play a significant role in today's society. However, recent surveys show that the workforce is ageing and is very male dominated. To attract and retain the talent and increase diversity, the Commission has a number of actions, which are promoted in an accessible and inclusive way (e.g. testimonial videos with female role models). For space, these include CASSINI Hackathons, organised every semester at 10 different locations across Europe, with past editions on Space for International Development & Humanitarian Aid or Space for Defence & Security. Projects like ASTRAIOS, focusing on creating an overview of current space curricula to identify space-related education and training to improve future career pathways, or UNIVERSEH, the European space University for earth and humanity, an alliance of 7 EU Universities, aimed at setting-up an inter-university campus with enhanced teaching and learning opportunities and interactive experiences within space sector. In July 2024, the Commission launched a matchmaking platform, the Space Career Launchpad, aimed to give university students and young graduates hands-on experience through internships and entry-level jobs with particular focus on startups and SMEs.

The defence industry has had difficulties attracting young people. Although this has changed to a large extent over the last years, it is still seen as a problem in some Member States. The Commission has conducted a survey on the perceptions and experiences of the European defence industry as an employer, in order to understand the underlying factors. The results will be presented in 2025.

·Support instruments

The European Social Fund+ (ESF+) supports the entire education and training cycle from early childhood education to life-long learning, higher education and VET to make sure that people get the right knowledge and skills at all stages of life.

In the 2021-2027 programming period, the ESF+ will have invested around EUR 17.3 billion, including an EU amount of around EUR 11 billion, in the employment and socio-economic integration of young people. Measures supporting youth employment focus on a wide range of issues, all converging towards how to accompany young people into the labour market.

Furthermore, around EUR 64.7 billion, including an EU amount of EUR 42 billion, is allocated to education, training and skills investments, including measures targeting young people specifically.

In addition, EUR 8.4 billion 284 has been allocated under the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) to support efforts by Member States and regions towards ensuring equal access to inclusive and quality education and training, addressing territorial and social disparities in accessing these services, with a particular focus on deprived areas and vulnerable groups. This support is provided in close cooperation with the ESF+ and consists primarily of building, renovating or expanding infrastructure at all education and training levels, providing equipment and the conditions for digital education, and education desegregation measures, from which young people will benefit.

Nearly EUR 53 billion 285 from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is allocated to education at all levels. This includes, amongst others, reforms and investments in early childhood education and care (ECEC), making schools more inclusive, improving the quality of the curricula, fighting early school leaving, expanding the number of places available at all levels of education, internationalising higher education, expanding STE(A)M education, upgrading the schools/universities infrastructure, and digitalising teaching and learning. For example, in Croatia, the RRF aims to increase the relevance of secondary education, by improving the labour market relevance of vocational programmes and supporting enrolment in schools which are relevant for jobs that are most needed. The digital transformation of higher education will also be supported.

Up until now, more than 11.7 million persons 286 , including young people, have benefited from different types of education and training support and more than 500 000 people 287  have already benefited from increased classroom capacity or modernised childcare and education facilities.

·Digital education and skills

Digital skills are essential for everyone, including young people, so they can participate in society, in education and training, as well as in the labour market. The Commission has put in place actions to help develop the full spectrum of digital skills, ranging from basic to advanced. This comes along with actions towards supporting the development of a high-performing digital education ecosystem, which is a requirement for learners to acquire the digital skills they need to thrive in today’s world, creating also more and better opportunities for everyone as regards learning and teaching in the digital age. Support for upskilling, including digital upskilling, is a core objective of EU funding. The European Social Fund Plus is the EU’s main training investment instrument. As of July 2024, EUR 2 billion has been allocated exclusively to help develop digital skills for the 2021-2027 period, beyond other more general measures that may also involve developing digital skills through, for example, modernising education and training systems or delivering active labour market policies.

In addition, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, over EUR 28 billion 288 will be spent digital skills and education in the current financing period. For example, in Spain, the RRF is supporting digital skills for both employed and unemployed people, in particular for young people.

The Digital Skills & Jobs Platform 289 brings together different stakeholders (students, teachers, and adults, both employed and unemployed) and also gathers and connects the national coalitions. It is a central hub for information around digital skills in Europe. On this platform, users can find useful resources, articles, training and funding opportunities, and opinions from inspirational leaders.

Under the Better Internet for Kids strategy (BIK+), the co-funded Safer Internet Centres network provide training, awareness raising activities and resources in all EU languages to help provide digital skills and media literacy among young people.

The Commission is also continuing to build the Cybersecurity Skills Academy 290 . This initiative, part of the 2023 European Year of Skills, contributes to increasing the Commission’s effort to support cybersecurity skills. with the objective of training additional cybersecurity experts. Building on work conducted under the Cybersecurity Skills Academy, the Commission has announced in December 2024 an upcoming Industry-Academia Network which aim will be to strengthen the connections between industry and academia in the field of cybersecurity skills for professionals. Other initiatives conducted by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) such as the European Cybersecurity Challenge 291  and the Cybersecurity Higher Education Database (CyberHEAD) 292 aim respectively at enhancing cybersecurity talent across Europe and connecting high potentials with industry leading organisations, and at allowing young talents to make informed decisions on the variety of possibilities offered by higher education in cybersecurity 293 . In October 2024, ENISA also launched the CyberEducation platform 294 , which acts as a central hub for cybersecurity educational resources tailored for primary and secondary schools in each Member State. The platform will help advancing cybersecurity literacy and resilience in Europe's schools.

Exploiting synergies between initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Skills Academy and funding instruments such as Digital Europe Programme 295 , the European Universities play a key role to enhance digital skills development including for young people. They notably are strong possible contributors to the industry-academia network to bridge cybersecurity skills gap, and several alliances develop digital specialised masters (for instance, the Arqus Master Programme in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence).

The Digital Education Action Plan (DEAP) 2021-2027 296 sets out a long-term approach and vision for high quality, inclusive and accessible digital education in Europe through two strategic priorities, namely fostering the development of a high-performing digital education ecosystem and enhancing digital skills and competences for the digital transformation. Responding to the strategic priorities of the DEAP, in November 2023, the Council adopted two Recommendations to support Member States in addressing the digital divide in education and training (i.e. Council Recommendation on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training) and supporting the development of people’s digital skills (i.e. Council Recommendation on improving the provision of digital skills and competences in education and training) 297 .  

The Council Recommendations are the result of the Structured Dialogue with Member States on digital education and skills 298  that took place between October 2021 and March 2023. The Dialogue gathered different sectors and institutions of government, as well as various stakeholders, such as social partners, civil society and the private sector, who shared their experience and best practices. The Dialogue increased the political commitment of the EU Member States to achieving EU objectives on digital education and skills and raised awareness of the key factors for the successful digital transformation of education and training systems and improvement of digital skills. To support Member States and stakeholders in the implementation of the Council Recommendations the European Commission has launched new actions, including the launch of two Expert Groups: An Expert Group supporting the Commission in drafting guidelines for teachers and educators on high quality informatics and another supporting the Commission in drafting guidelines and quality requirements for accessible, well-designed and high-quality digital education content. The guidelines are expected to be published in 2025.

As part of the DEAP, the Commission published another two sets of guidelines in October 2022: i) ethical guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data in education 299 , which aim to support educators in understanding the potential benefits and risks of AI and data use in education; and ii) guidelines to help teachers and educators promote digital literacy and address disinformation through education and training 300 . Both sets of guidelines are translated into all EU official languages and are of valuable help for teachers in supporting young people.

Work continues on other actions and initiatives under the Digital Education Action Plan. One of the programme’s flagship initiatives is the Digital Education Hackathon (DigiEduHack) 301 . Through the Hackathon, the Commission promotes the development and application of digital skills among participants, the great majority of which are young people (pupils, students from secondary or tertiary education, young entrepreneurs). Since its launch in 2019, DigiEduHack has become one of the EU’s flagship grassroot initiatives in digital education, encouraging user-driven innovation and providing insights into trends for education and training in the digital age.

To support the DEAP’s priorities, the European Digital Education Hub 302  strengthens cooperation and exchange in digital education at the EU level. Its mission is to overcome the current fragmentation of digital education policy, research and implementation practices at European level. The Hub brings together people working at all levels and in all sectors of education and training. It aims to support peer learning and collaboration and enable best practices to be shared. The Hub gathers a wide range of professionals interested in digital education, including school educators, teacher trainers, policy makers, and researchers.

Since July 2023, a Working Group of around 140 higher education stakeholders and experts within the European Digital Education Hub has been collaboratively designing a higher education interoperability framework. This framework aims to achieve interoperability for the learning and teaching systems of European higher education institutions, promoting virtual mobility, virtual exchange and the development of joint degrees, programmes, and course catalogues.

Another action under the DEAP was to update in 2022 the Digital Competence Framework (DigComp) to take account of emerging technologies such as AI, datafication and phenomena, such as teleworking, disinformation and the new skill requirements they bring. Work is continuing on a more comprehensive update to take account of new skills requirements, including work on digital skills gaps and needs as well as learning outcomes.

As 2024 marks the midpoint of the DEAP, the Commission has begun a comprehensive review to evaluate the impact of the actions taken, and to adapt its strategy and future actions in response to emerging challenges and opportunities. The aim is to ensure that the DEAP remains responsive and effective in advancing digital education at the EU level. The review of DEAP will help ensure its efficacy in fostering a safe, informed and technologically adept learning environment for all, including young people.

The review process began with a launch event in April 2024, where stakeholders shared perspectives and feedback on DEAP actions in the first years of its implementation. Among the participants there were an alumni from the Girls Go Circular programme 303 and four global winners of the 2023 DigiEduHack edition, who had the opportunity to pitch their solutions to the audience. The review process entails a series of stakeholder consultations throughout 2024. As part of the consultation with social partners that took place in July 2024, young people’s representatives contributed with their perspectives. The Commission has also organised online consultation meetings with VET and civil society stakeholders to get their views on the DEAP’s achievements and ambitions for the future.

Learning by doing emphasises practical experience over passive learning, encouraging active involvement in tasks to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world situations. This hands-on approach fosters deep understanding, problem-solving skills, and confidence through experimentation and learning from mistakes. It cultivates a dynamic learning process that is both enriching and empowering across various fields of study. For that, the Commission provides young people with different EU-funded opportunities to get involved and develop digital skills.

Both Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps have digital transformation as one of their overarching priorities, in line with the DEAP’s strategic priorities, and with the two Council Recommendations adopted in November 2023 on: a) the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training 304 ; and b) improving the way digital skills and competences are provided in education and training 305 .

To support the digital transformation in a human-centric manner and address societal challenges such as AI, social media or disinformation more effectively, Europe needs education and training systems that are fit for the digital age.

The Erasmus+ programme seeks to prepare individuals and organisations for the digital transition and to provide them with the skills and competences needed in a digitally advanced society and work environment. It promotes actions to step up the development of digital competences throughout society and focuses both on basic and advanced digital skills, as well as on digital literacy. The programme provides funding for cooperation projects that support the digital transformation planning of education and training institutions, including primary and secondary schools, vocational education and training (VET), higher education and adult learning institutions.

The Erasmus+ teacher academies have been set up to further help in creating and applying digital pedagogies and to help boost teachers’ expertise in using digital tools, including accessible and assistive technologies. The SELFIE for Teachers 306 is an online self-reflection tool that helps teachers identify strengths and gaps in their digital competences and plan further training. The European Universities initiative plays a key role in helping young people develop the digital skills and competences required to accelerate innovation and meet sustainability goals. The initiative supports young people in their personal and professional life, and helps maintain a digitally literate, democratic and open European society.

The European Solidarity Corps can play a role by helping Europeans, regardless of their gender, age and background, live and thrive in the digital age through projects and activities that aim to boost digital skills, foster digital literacy and/or develop an understanding of the risks and opportunities of digital technology. Since 2021, 927 (22% out of total) volunteering projects had digital transition as a priority, involving over 14 000 volunteers 307 .

The programmes also promote the use of virtual and digital components such as information, communication and technology tools in all projects and activities.

In 2022, the SALTO Digital 308  resource centre was set up to advance the implementation of the digital priority in Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps through the provision of resources to National Agencies, potential applicants and beneficiaries, capacity building activities and monitoring actions.

In addition, the Digital Europe Programme 309  provides funding for higher education programmes in key digital areas, like artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing, quantum technologies, high performing computing, semiconductors, virtual worlds or robotics to increase the number of Information and communication technology (ICT) graduates in Europe able to design, deploy and use the different advanced digital technologies.

To help reduce disparities and address the uneven deployment of high-speed internet access in schools, the Connecting Europe Facility Digital programme 310 supports gigabit and 5G connectivity for smart communities, where socio-economic drivers such as schools are located. This action promotes best practices in 5G connectivity in local communities and schools, alongside other education and training institutions.

The EU Code Week 311 spreads computational thinking, coding and related digital skills to schools’ teachers and students. The Code Week strives to widen the offer and lower the barrier for teachers to integrate programming and technology in their everyday teaching practices. It provides equal access to digital skills to all children, regardless of their economic background or gender.

4.5Culture

Culture plays an essential role in reaching out to young people. According to the Eurobarometer survey 312 , 23% of young Europeans identify culture as a key factor in community-building. Creative Europe – the European Commission’s flagship programme to support the culture and creative sectors – co-finances actions and projects to promote European cultural content to a large audience including younger people. It facilitates the cross-border circulation and mobility of artists and professionals – including young talents – in Europe and beyond.

Culture Moves Europe 313 , for example, awards mobility grants to artists and cultural professionals so they can work abroad. It has a special focus on emerging artists. In 2023-2024 almost 6 000 individual artists received mobility grants and 1 037 artists participating in the residencies were supported by the scheme.

Creative Europe also supports young creatives through its Platforms for the Promotion of Emerging Artists 314 . For instance, Versopolis 315 is a European poetry platform that builds upon novel opportunities for emerging European poets. It envisages cooperation and growth continuing, given that Creative Europe selected it from two open calls within the Support for European Platforms initiative. From 2022-25 the Versopolis was granted EUR 1 936 815 from the Creative Europe programme.

Furthermore, the Pan-European Cultural Entities 316 scheme helps transnational orchestras train and boost the careers of young musicians. For example, the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) 317 continues to provide an exceptional bridge between music colleges and the professional music world for generations of Europe’s finest musicians. The project aims to professionalise the capacity of the orchestra and its young musicians so it can act as Cultural Ambassador for EU values, while pursuing the highest levels of artistic excellence. Each year, at least 150 members from all Member States are selected through a rigorous recruitment process. In 2021-2023 the EUYO was granted EUR 1 800 000 from the Creative Europe programme. 

In addition, Creative Europe supports young talents through the horizontal scheme Networks of Cultural and Creative Organisations 318 . In particular, the Euro-Mediterranean Network for the professional development of young artists (BJCEM) 319 ranges from cultural institutions to independent organisations, with partnerships throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In 2022-2024, the BJCEM was granted EUR 326 136 from the Creative Europe programme.

As the largest funding scheme of Creative Europe’s Culture strand, the European Cooperation Projects 320 support cultural projects addressing young audiences and talents. New Perspectives for Action (NPA) 321 , for example, is a four-year transnational co-creation and circulation project by 13 interdisciplinary art organisations across Europe. It builds upon the results of the successful Re-Imagine Europe project (2017-2021). For 2023-2027, the NPA was granted EUR 2 000 000 from the Creative Europe programme. The countries participating are: Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands (coordinator), North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal and Slovakia.

EU cultural prizes, co-funded by Creative Europe, recognise the excellence of emerging European talents. In 2023, the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award (EUmies Awards Young Talent) 322 , supported under Creative Europe, was granted to three qualifying university master’s degrees that include a design proposal. By bringing together the most talented graduated architects and some of the best architecture firms and institutions in Europe, the Young Talent Winners have the chance to develop strategies, synergies or complementarities with the firms and institutions of their choice. The Young Talent award aims to support the talent of recently graduated architects, urban planners and landscape architects, who will be responsible for transforming our environment in the future.

Likewise, the Music Moves Europe award 323 and the European Union Prize for Literature 324 recognise emerging European literary and music talents – many of those writers and musicians are under 30 – and promote them to a diversified audience including young people. Furthermore, the European Heritage Awards 325 highlight and acknowledge achievements in protecting and promoting heritage, which often involve young people, be it as heritage professionals or volunteers. For example, in the Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower project in Akhieli (Georgia) – one of 26 award-winners in 2024 – 54 young volunteers from different European countries worked closely with the rural area’s local community to restore a historic landmark over the course of three years. This has enabled these volunteers to experience cross-border collaboration and acquire new skills and heritage practices. In addition, each of the Awards’ selection committees includes a young member, ensuring young people are represented in the selection of the award-winning projects.

In March 2024 the second edition of the Day of European Authors 326  took place in all 40 Creative Europe countries gathering almost 2 000 reading events. It aimed to reconnect the younger generation with books and reading as well as to encourage them discovering the cultural and linguistic diversity of European literature. The second edition had a stronger focus on the collaboration between schools and book sectors.

In addition to that, all European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) 327 have ambitious youth programmes. Title-holding cities engage the public, especially young people, in developing (part of) the cultural programme or gaining professional experience through volunteering, and they design projects or schemes to increase youth interest in the arts and culture. This was also the case with the three ECoC cities in 2023. To give a few examples, as part of its outreach activities, Elefsina 2023 (Greece) involved teenagers and youths in a series of educational programmes for the student community in the Municipality and the wider region. The programme of Timisoara 2023 (Romania) had a number of flagship events that had been especially dedicated to young audiences. Finally, the Volunteer Programme of Veszprém 2023 (Hungary), which included a focus on youth participants, received the Quality Label of the European Solidarity Corps. Furthermore, together with Timisoara 2023, Kaunas (ECoC 2022), and Tartu (ECoC 2024), Veszprém 2023 was a partner in the Erasmus + funded Youth creatives going digital project. The aim of the project was to enable participating organisations to increase their capacity to support young people to take full advantage of the opportunities created by digital and entrepreneurship.  

Creative Europe also co-funds the European Heritage Days (EHDs) 328 , one of the most widely celebrated participatory cultural events in Europe. Co-organised by the EU and the Council of Europe, the EHDs provide access to thousands of rarely opened sites and unique events in 48 countries to over 20 million people every year. Since 2019 the EHDs have run a special initiative, the Young European Heritage Makers 329 , a youth competition targeting children in primary and secondary schools across Europe. Through this competition among classrooms, the action aims to reconnect youngsters with their local heritage while giving them a voice in promoting it. The winning classroom will be offered a trip to Strasbourg to visit the Council of Europe’s premises.

In 2021-2027, support for culture and cultural heritage under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) provided support to programmes totalling EUR 5 billion and EUR 0.4 billion under Interreg programmes. The support includes investment in cultural infrastructure, conservation of cultural heritage, digital and green measures in cultural sites, support for long-term cultural activities that foster social inclusion and innovation, and culture as part of regeneration of public spaces. Young people have been identified as a target group in ERDF support for culture and cultural heritage in many cohesion policy programmes. They are expected to benefit from better access to culture and potential creation of job and social inclusion opportunities driven by such support for culture. For example, the 2021-2027 ERDF ESF+ programme for Sicily (IT) seeks to generate employment opportunities for young people through its ERDF investments in revitalising cultural heritage and cultural spaces dedicated to culture and creative production, with an innovative and digital approach being used. As part of the efforts to support disadvantaged areas in the city by harnessing the potential of culture, the 2021-2027 ERDF programme for Berlin will invest in developing and modernising art schools for young people, youth leisure centres and neighbourhood centres among other cultural sites.

The Digital Europe Programme is supporting the digital transformation of museums, galleries, libraries and archives across the EU. It aims to enable younger generations to access to EU’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. The Digital Europe Programme is funding worth EUR 7.5 million per year to the common European data space for cultural heritage. The data space, based on the Europeana.eu platform, is accelerating the digitisation of monuments, sites, objects, artifacts and intangible heritage, to protect and preserve those at risk, and boost their reuse in domains such as education, tourism and creative sectors. It also aims to provide more immersive and personalised cultural experiences with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and extended reality; virtual worlds applications offer huge opportunities to attract young audiences.

·Multilingualism

The European Commission coordinates the  European Master’s in Translation project (EMT) 330 . By promoting high-quality training criteria in translation education, this network actively supports multilingualism and dialogue while ensuring the upskilling of young professionals in the changing landscape of AI-based technologies and digital developments. It brings together more than 2 000 master students, along with hundreds of academics, researchers, professors and young professionals. Recent milestones include the updating of the EMT Competence Framework 331 and the new five-year mandate 332 (2024-2029) with 81 programmes.

The Commission Representations in the Member States organise numerous events and activities across the EU to promote language learning, translation and multilingualism. To this end, they visit schools and universities to give presentations, and invite pupils, students and teachers to activities such as mini-language classes, fairs, contests and workshops. Every year, they organise celebrations on the European day of languages 333 involving in particular school teachers and students. In 2023, 71 EDL events were organised in 25 countries with almost 200 000 participants and reaching almost 1.5 million people online.

The Juvenes Translatores translation contest 334 , organised by the Commission every year in November, gathers over 3 000 teenagers from about 700 schools across all EU countries to translate texts linked to EU priorities. Having 552 language combinations possible among the EU’s 24 official languages on offer, participants become aware of the rich European cultural heritage and benefits it offers. The ever growing interest from schools confirms the success of the contest in reaching out to young people and in promoting language learning in secondary education, as a means of connection, becoming aware of the EU cultural diversity and having an advantage in the job market.

4.6Environment, climate and energy 

Around EUR 346 billion 335 of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is allocated to reforms and investments supporting the green transition, which benefit young people as well. These include: i) supporting the deployment of renewables and energy efficiency renovations of public and private buildings; ii) developing green skills; iii) reforming the regulatory framework; and iv) stepping up green urban mobility and the production of zero or low-emission vehicles. For example, in Denmark, the RRF supports the development of skills and knowledge related to green technologies and sustainability in vocational education and training schools, as well as in adult vocational training.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) allocates EUR 93.4 billion towards achieving the green transition. With young people having the highest stake in a successful delivery of the green transition, the investments in, e.g. the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation and wastewater treatment are directly related to ensuring a sustainable future. For example, in Portugal, the ERDF helps implement energy improvement measures in basic and secondary schools in Madeira.

In addition, young people will benefit from measures financed under the Social Climate Fund, which will be in operation in 2026-2032. It will support vulnerable groups of society, particularly vulnerable households, vulnerable transport users and vulnerable micro-enterprises, who are most affected by the green transition. Support will be provided to Member States through non-repayable financial grants based on national social climate plans submitted to the Commission.

·Youth participation for the environment, climate and energy

In line with the 2022 Council Conclusions on young people as actors of change in order to protect the environment 336 , the Commission has committed to create further opportunities to be involved in and help shape the green transition, including by promoting youth volunteer activities addressing environmental issues, by facilitating young people's access to training that equips them with the necessary skills for the green jobs of tomorrow, and by supporting young entrepreneurs seeking to develop solutions to environmental issues.

The Commission Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems includes recommendations to Member States to protect children from the impact of climate change and environmental hazards on their rights. This includes involving children in decision-making related to climate change, as well as a child-protective and child-sensitive approach in their climate change adaptation 337 and mitigation plans.

Building on the many opportunities created during the European Year of Youth for young people to be involved in and help shape the green transition, the Commission supports a community of around 300 young European Climate Pact Ambassadors as of 2024 in promoting climate action among young people on the ground and supporting their local activities. In 2023-2024, the European Climate Pact continued to work with young people taking part in climate action.

To give young people a prominent space in the Pact community, the Climate Pact prioritised the recruitment of more young ambassadors in its latest open call in September 2023, with the goal of one third of all new ambassadors being under the age of 35. That target was reached, as the Pact now includes around 300 young Pact Ambassadors out of about 850, many of whom coordinate initiatives on the ground with the Pact’s support and/or have a big youth following on social media or in their communities. Some of the Pact’s partner organisations also focus on young people (e.g. the European Youth Parliament and Save the Children).

In terms of activities, the Climate Pact has been involved in the European Youth Week 2024, in which eight Pact Ambassadors participated and talked about their activities related to climate action and the involvement of young people. The Pact has also involved young Pact Ambassadors at events, and launched a set of citizen engagement tools that have been used by young (and not so young) Pact Ambassadors around Europe to engage their community. Furthermore, the Pact helps amplify young Pact Ambassadors’ voices, giving them a platform by inviting them to events and exchanges with EU representatives and policymakers, and promoting them on the Commission’s website and social media channels. Young Climate Pact Ambassadors held an exchange with a Commission Director-General during the 2024 European Youth Week about how young people across Europe can take climate action at local level. The discussion was focused on concrete actions anyone could take and highlighted the easy-to-use Climate Pact citizen engagement tools as a way for young people to engage other people in their communities.

Also during the 2024 European Youth Week, young people spoke with Commission staff about the role EU humanitarian aid plays in providing support to those most affected by climate change and the resulting forced displacement. They also discussed how environmental degradation and resource scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, can contribute to social and political instability, ultimately leading to displacement and conflict in vulnerable regions.

Outside of the multiple Youth Dialogues organised in Brussels during the European Year of Youth, the European Commission has also organised public dialogues between Commissioners and young people (including from outside Europe) at international climate conferences, such as COP27, COP28, and COP29.

The Commission also helps young people contribute to the achievement of the EU’s disaster resilience goals as an essential tool for strengthening resilience to future disasters. As part of the strengthening of European civil protection activities, the EU developed the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) 338 and its Young Civil Protection Professionals (YCCP) group. Through the annual YCPP event, the EU supports young people in networking and collaborating with the emerging generation of the UCPM community.

A yearly two-day study visit is organised in Brussels for around 60 young participants interested or already involved in civil protection and disaster risk management. Participants include students, researchers, professional and volunteer firefighters, medical personnel and civil protection experts. The event gives participants the opportunity to learn about the general architecture of the UCPM and the realities of working in civil protection, especially targeting evidence-based decision-making in crisis situations.

In addition, a group of 27 young civil protection professionals participated in the 8th European Civil Protection Forum in 2024 and benefited from relevant exchanges during this event with 1 500 participants.

The Commission encourages networks of green cities and regions (such as the Green City Accord initiative) to engage young trainees and volunteers in local green projects. The Green City Accord secretariat has launched preparatory actions to this effect.

Under the Just Transition Fund, the EUTeens4Green promotes young people’s participation in the just transition towards climate neutrality and a greener Europe. Some 70 projects were implemented between April 2023 and March 2024 by young people aged 15-24 years old, living in 41 Just Transition regions. In April 2024, the closing conference took place in Brussels as part of the European Week of Youth . Young people representing the different projects debated about ways to strengthen youth involvement in policymaking and to improve young people’s possibilities to shape and lead the green transition. Lessons learned from the projects have also resulted in a full list of recommendations (e.g. establishment of youth representation bodies, more institutionalised involvement of young people, financial and administrative support for youth-led projects, capacity building for young people) to ensure that cohesion policy, and specifically the Just Transition, continue to engage young people in future. The Commission is sharing lessons learned and policy recommendations from EUTeens4Green with Member States and stakeholders and is reflecting on how to keep young people interested and engaged in local development and green topics.

Efforts have continued towards the EU commitment to planting 3 billion additional trees before 2030, the #3BillionTrees pledge 339 . All EU Member States are contributing by registering new trees. The EU campaign #ForOurPlanet 340 , launched in 2022 in the context of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), encourages Commission Representations and EU Delegations, together with citizens and civil society organistions, to take part in concrete activities for nature and climate. In 2024, the focus of the campaign was on tree planting in various contexts, including urban greening, reforesting after forest fires and agroforestry. More than 40 events were organised worldwide to support the campaign, many involving young people.

Between May and October 2024, the Commission organised a #WaterWiseEU awareness-raising campaign with the slogan ‘See Water Differently’ 341 . The campaign aims to encourage Europeans to rethink the way they use, manage and value water. The Commission is working with many partner organisations to promote the campaign, some targeting young people, including the World Scout Organisation. As part of EU Green Week Partner Events 342  and as part of the #WaterWiseEU campaign, the Commission is supporting several youth-led events and activities targeting young people across the EU.

Every year, the #EUBeachCleanup campaign includes hundreds of clean-up events organised by EU Representations and Delegations aiming to raise awareness about marine litter. Many schools participate, including EU blue schools. The 2022 European Year of Youth helped develop a specific targeting towards young people; and the campaign was presented as part of the 2024 European Youth Week.

Since 2023, the Commission supports a community of Young Energy Ambassadors 343 to promote sustainable energy and the clean energy transition. This group of 30 young professionals (aged 18 to 34 years old) is selected every year from different career stages (studies, employment, personal engagement, etc.) in the clean energy sector. The Young Energy Ambassadorship programme is a year-long commitment that aims to strengthen the connection between young people and the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) – a yearly conference organised by the Commission – and the EU’s energy policies. This helps increase young people’s interest and involvement in sustainable energy.

The EUSEW is committed to involving the younger generation in discussions on clean energy. Since 2020, the European Youth Energy Day 344 has been organised as part of the EUSEW Policy Conference, to give young participants the chance to get involved in debates on Europe’s sustainable energy transition. In 2024, the European Youth Energy Day hosted a dialogue between generations 345 , a closed-door session to co-create recommendations on the future of clean energy for the next Commissioner in charge of energy as well as a dialogue with Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič during the closing session 346 .

·Teaching and learning for the green transition and sustainable development

The Commission supports Member States in their implementation of the Council Recommendation on learning for the green transition and sustainable development 347 . In line with the 2022 Council Conclusions on young people as actors of change in order to protect the environment 348 , the Commission also aims to support young people in acquiring the necessary competences and facilitate their access to training that prepares them for the green jobs of tomorrow.

The Education for Climate Coalition, a flagship initiative of the European Education Area by 2025 349 and an essential part of the European Green Deal 350 , is a participatory community that aims to support teaching and learning for the green transition and sustainable development. Since the launch of the community platform 351 on the first Education for Climate Day (25 November 2021), the platform over 7 500 users have logged in to exchange ideas on how to combat climate change. The Coalition also has a youth group 352 which in 2024 runs the Youth Climate Lab 353 , a peer-learning café where young participants can engage with peers, explore an existing climate-related issue and propose practical solutions that can be implemented by interested stakeholders. 2024's topic is “How to approach AI and Climate Change in Learning Communities”, which the Youth Climate Lab explores with experts from the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the European Commission and its Joint Research Centre. 

In December 2022, the Higher Education Working Group under the EEA strategic framework organised a peer-learning activity (PLA) on the higher education sector’s contribution to the green transition and sustainable development. The outcomes of this PLA highlight the need of a clear policy framework, along with adequate core funding and incentives, investments in lifelong learning, as well as a whole-institution approach and more local and regional engagement. Knowledge sharing is also key, with both national and EU-level support acting as an enabler to scale up innovations, share information and instigate practices to mobilise the higher education community. The PLA conclusions also stress that students and young people are driving forces behind the green transition and sustainable development, pushing for institutional changes. The conclusions also cite their behavioural changes possibly generating a positive impact. In addition, further efforts are needed to include students in designing and implementing sustainability strategies, and suggestions have been made to better support and recognise students who volunteer in environment and climate-related activities.

The green transition is a key pillar of the European strategy for universities, aiming to ensure appropriate skills are provided to learners so they can thrive in and drive the green transition. The Eurograduate 2022 survey 354 showed high levels of awareness among higher education graduates, with 73% of the graduates surveyed believing that climate change is mainly human driven. 54% of these graduates are very/extremely worried about climate change. Environmental sustainability is a (very) important part of the curriculum for 30% of the recent graduates (2020/21), a 7% increase on those graduating in 2016/17. On the whole, 73% of graduates also support the idea that individual action is effective, regardless of what other people do.

The European Universities alliances are leading when it comes to promoting climate and environmental literacy for learners with innovative and flexible approaches. They develop joint programmes and courses promoting transdisciplinary challenge-based approaches for intercultural teams, and engage staff and students from different backgrounds and disciplines in order to establish the links between education, research and innovation. Concrete examples are CHARM-EU Joint Master’s Degree in Global Challenges for Sustainability, Unite! Alliance's work towards an international Energy PhD programme, INVEST joint Bachelor Specialisation (e.g. in Regional Food-System Transitions & Environmental Quality; Sustainable Communities in Energy Transition) or joint Master’s programmes for instance in Sustainable Urban Development. Some alliances such as Una Europa and AURORA develop lifelong learning opportunities embedded in flexible learning modules such as micro-credentials in sustainability and climate change, providing opportunities for climate upskilling and reskilling.

The EU continues to support the European coalition for ocean literacy (EU4Ocean) 355 launched in 2020 to improve the EU citizens’ awareness and education about our ocean, seas, and waters. The coalition currently has more than 1000 registered members across its three communities, two of which specifically target students and young people.

The Youth4Ocean Forum 356 brings together young people committed to ocean conservation, focusing on enhancing their capacity and empowering them to influence decision-making and policy. Its Young Ocean Advocate programme also offers mentoring and support to forum members working on specific ocean projects in the EU. During 2022-2024, the Youth4Ocean Forum recruited over 100 new Young Ocean Advocates across Europe. Accredited projects range from science communication and awareness-raising to community engagement, research, and innovation. 357 Young Ocean Advocates participated in capacity-building workshops and training sessions and played a central role at high-visibility events such as the European Maritime Day 358 , the European Ocean Days 359 , the European Youth Week 360 , the first Ocean Literacy World Conference 361 , UNFCCC COPs, and UN Ocean Conferences.

The Network of European Blue Schools 362  supports EU teachers in integrating ocean-related issues into project-based learning. Common topics in blue school projects include sustainability, climate change, the environment, and the blue economy. This EU network, which grew from 46 schools in January 2022 to 630 in December 2024, has been recognised as a best-case example and has inspired the establishment of a global blue school network coordinated by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

The JRC Youth Programme supports the Commission’s effort in disseminating its scientific knowledge while encouraging public engagement in the EU. The objectives of the programme are: to raise awareness of the benefits of the EU by sharing information on how EU science supports citizens; to provide an understanding of the role of science in policymaking and stimulate students to learn science; to foster critical thinking, promote European collaboration and enhance citizen engagement with science. Additionally, the programme tests and launches new ideas and methodologies for feedback mechanisms and content co-creation.
 
Empowering Youth and Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) through intergenerational learning and dialogue is essential for shaping new value systems and enhancing ocean knowledge. In this regard, activities in the Atlantic (under the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance - AAORIA) in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea  aim to mainstream both young people and ECOPS  into policy formulation and implementation. Building on the success of the intergenerational dialogue session organized at the Galway Statement 10-year anniversary event in Galway, Ireland (5-6 July 2023) which saw active participation of more than 60 Atlantic ECOPs, yearly ECOP events are foreseen in conjunction with AAORIA annual Forums, such as the event Ottawa in October 2024.

Several Horizon Europe projects, including those from the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters, organise dedicated summer schools for ECOPs and awareness-raising activities targeting young people 363 . Also they have created a network of Early Career Researchers (e.g. the Marine Sabres Project 364 ).

·Agriculture

The Commission highlights the need to support generational renewal in agriculture, as young people are a source of new ideas and energy, with innovative initiatives, and are committed to using sustainable practices and transitioning towards a net-zero emission economy.

·The New European Bauhaus

The New European Bauhaus 365 (NEB) initiative continues to inspire a grassroots movement across the EU, involving Member States, regions and municipalities in promoting climate resilience and environmental sustainability. It has established over 150 projects in research and innovation, cohesion, regional and urban development, skills development, and culture. The NEB community with almost 700 official partners has reached millions of Europeans and the NEB Prizes 366 have encouraged many individuals and organisations to embed the NEB ideas and values in their projects.

As part of the NEB Prizes, every year a dedicated strand recognises and supports young people’s creativity and talent. The ‘New European Bauhaus Rising Stars’ celebrates and awards the best ideas developed by people under 30 that involve implementing the values of sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics across Europe. Since 2021, over 1 700 applications from young people were received in this dedicated strand.

·Green horizontal priority in Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps

Green transition, which is a key element of the EU's political agenda, is among the horizontal priorities of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. In 2024, a new green strategy 367 was published for the programmes to further encourage and support projects working in these areas. SALTO Green will support the implementation of the strategies through guidelines 368 , various materials and workshops.

To contribute towards achieving the European Green Deal, both the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes integrate green practices into all projects and activities and promote environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among participants and participating organisations. Organisations and participants should therefore employ an environmental-friendly approach when designing and implementing their activities. Activities contributing to other existing EU initiatives in the area of environmental sustainability (e.g. the New European Bauhaus) are highly encouraged.

In 2021, the Commission introduced financial incentives for green travel in 2021 for the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes and increased these amounts in 2024 to accelerate the use of low-emission modes of transport by participants in these programmes. Moreover, incorporating green practices into all facets of project implementation is part of the award criteria.

Practically, close to 1 600 volunteering projects that have green practices as a main priority have been implemented since 2022 by almost 1 000 different organisations, with a total contracted amount of approximately EUR 125 million in grants. Out of the 2 709 Solidarity projects, 26% (709) dealt with green skills and promoted environmental protection 369 .

Under the Erasmus+ 2022 call, a budget of EUR 592.1 million was allocated to 1 285 cooperation projects supporting environment and climate change, involving 5 205 beneficiary organisations.

The SALTO Green 370 , set up in 2022, provides training, guidance and resources such as webinars, best practices, compendium of projects focusing on green transition and sustainable development to support National Agencies, stakeholders and potential applicants under the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes.

5YOUTH-LED INITIATIVES AND ACTIONS 

The survey that the Commission launched in 2024 to consult young people on some aspects of the EU Youth Strategy 371 (hereafter “youth survey”) asked young people to provide examples of youth-led initiatives and actions that their organisations have been involved in. The most frequently mentioned initiatives were (i) councils, forums, debates and consultations, followed by (ii) campaigns, events and festivals, (iii) volunteering programmes, (iv) seminars and training, (v) demonstrations and protests, and (vi) mentorship programmes or job fairs.

Some members of youth organisations mentioned their work to support ideas for improving the electoral process to encourage young people to participate in it (e.g. right to vote at 16). Some organisations conducted training programmes and resources to educate young people about politics and the EU. Others have launched campaigns and petitions on issues like climate change, social justice and fair elections. An example was provided by a member of the Young Fair Trade Advocates (YFTA), a youth organisation which connects young people with fair trade ideals, educating them about EU institutions to raise their awareness and bring about positive changes in areas such as climate justice, labour rights and sustainable trade practices. The YFTA have developed 45 comprehensive policy recommendations addressing climate justice, fair trade and labour rights, aiming to influence decision-making in the European Parliament. These recommendations were designed to promote sustainable and equitable trade practices and to improve the labour rights of workers in global value chains.

In the framework of the Commission’s Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY), Citizens Engagement Activities (CEAs) provide volunteers with a small budget to organise activities to inform and engage local populations on the benefits of cohesion policy in their region. For example, in April 2024, an IVY volunteer reached out to more than 50 people of all age groups in a CEA as part of Green Arctic Interreg Awareness Day, held at the Luleå tekniska universitet in Sweden. The event included information on cohesion policy, interactive exercises for pupils, and a showcase of Interreg projects in the Northern Periphery and Arctic region. Incurring costs of less than EUR 800, the volunteer managed to gather a diverse group of local public and project representatives for an interactive and fruitful exchange.

Young people from Member States and EU accession countries are involved in the context of Interreg through the Youth4Cooperation Group. This group is composed of students, interns and young workers interested in Interreg and cohesion policy. Its main aim is to make sure that their ideas are heard by the Commission and taken forward to, for example, the managing authorities of Interreg programmes. The youth group was particularly active in 2022, during the European Year of Youth. Young people were invited as participants and speakers to the Youth for Cooperation Summit, which formed part of the Interreg Annual Event 2022. In 2024, the group was working on youth-led ideas as part of the European Year of Skills. One group is working on creating a workshop on Interreg and macro-regional strategies to be shared by young people in their local areas (with schools, universities and municipalities). This initiative will continue to involve young people in designing the future of the European territorial cooperation – a ‘Youth for future cooperation’ event will be held in Brussels, inviting young people to produce recommendations.

Youth councils formed under the Alpine, Danube, and Adriatic-Ionian strategies represent young people’s voices and interests of the country they live in and of the entire macro-region. Young people take part in concrete initiatives and are often engaged in communication and co-working with the strategies on managing social media channels. The youth councils are led by the governance structures of the strategies, which organise their involvement and yearly youth camps.

The Commission supports young people in the outermost regions through the EUR 1 million grant scheme Youth4Outermostregions 372 . This scheme funds small-scale projects led by young people or youth organisations in the outermost regions enabling them to become active in their local communities, with an overarching emphasis on promoting equality and inclusion. Approximately 70 actions will run from September 2024 until June 2025.

Children and young people from across Europe are involved in planning and leading the agenda of the Safer Internet Forum 373 , an annual international conference on online safety. The Forum also brings together international stakeholders to discuss the latest trends, risks and solutions related to child online safety and the impact of technology on individuals and society. A young respondent to the survey on some aspects of the EU Youth Strategy 374  mentioned an example of a digital inclusion project in Spain led by a group of young people to provide a digital skills training programme for older people, facilitating their access to technology.

Several youth survey respondents provided examples of their activities to promote equality and inclusion for people with disabilities. For example, a project in Cyprus gives opportunities to young people with disabilities and other psychological problems by enabling them participate in theatre and the singing performances. A youth-led project in Spain provides training and organises cultural activities for a community of families with children who have disabilities of any kind.

On education and training, some youth survey respondents reported on their work to encourage participation in exchange programmes to promote mobility and intercultural learning. Some of them organised workshops and courses on teaching history and the EU’s political structure, and provided training activities for vulnerable groups to increase their social integration.

Several youth survey respondents mentioned youth-led activities in the cultural field, such as i) programmes promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding, ii) cultural events e.g. festivals and concerts, and iii) workshops celebrating cultural diversity. For example, a youth organisation based in Madrid organises workshops in which 20 international students from around 15 different European countries spend a week in Madrid sharing their experiences and their cultural and technological knowledge.