Youth empowerment and participation in civil society

The economic and social crisis that has characterised the European Union since 2008 has been especially hard on Europe’s youth. In these conclusions, the Council of the European Union highlights ways to get Europe’s youth back on track.

ACT

Council conclusions on promoting young people’s access to rights in order to foster their autonomy and participation in civil society (Official Journal C 18, 21.1.2015, pp. 1-4).

SUMMARY

The economic and social crisis that has characterised the European Union since 2008 has been especially hard on Europe’s youth. In these conclusions, the Council of the European Union highlights ways to get Europe’s youth back on track.

WHAT DO THESE COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS DO?

They stress the importance of supporting young people’s autonomy and their involvement in civil society. They also invite EU countries, the European Commission and youth organisations to encourage, support and explore measures that help facilitate greater youth empowerment and civil participation.

KEY POINTS

EU countries are invited to:

• identify barriers to the participation of young people in social and political life and consider how to address these barriers;
• look for ways to give young people access to quality jobs and social protection;
• promote equal opportunities and gender equality for young people;
• prevent early school leaving;
• consider the promotion of social housing schemes;
• support the development of youth-friendly information services.

EU countries, alongside the European Commission, are asked to:

• continue to support youth policies and youth work (work carried out with, by and for young people);
• promote the principle of autonomy and participation of young people as a key issue in EU economic and social strategies;
• use existing opportunities within the Erasmus+ programme;
• ensure the implementation of the EU work plan for youth;
• establish exchanges of best practice on the autonomy and the civil participation of young people.

Youth organisations are invited to:

• make the most of Erasmus+ in order to equip young people with skills that support their autonomy and an active role in society;
• inform young people of their rights.

The European Commission is called on to:

• analyse the situation and barriers faced by young people;
• reinforce the cross-sectoral approach to youth policy;
• raise awareness of youth autonomy and civil participation through the European Youth Portal;
• propose measures to encourage youth to get involved in democratic life in Europe.

KEY TERMS

Civil participation refers to the process of working to make improvements in the public life of communities through developing knowledge, skills, values and motivation to achieve those improvements.

For more information, see the following sections on the European Commission’s website:

• Participation in civil society;
• Civil society cooperation youth.

last update 19.06.2015