Youth has spoken!

2021

Youth has spoken!

Back in October 2022, the European Commission launched a survey to know young people's ideas, concerns, and proposals for the European Year of Youth 2022. More than 5,000 responses were received from youngsters all over Europe, where many of them expressed their exhaustion towards the pandemic. 

The report shows that almost 75% of participants would like to interact with young people from other European countries and expect the initiative to happen simultaneously in all European nations. They see the initiative as a way to bring opportunities back for youth, a chance for them to participate in the decision-making process and make their voice heard at the European level.

Although the theme for the EYY is still unknown, young people had their say and declared that they would like the European Year of Youth to focus on some key topics like ‘Education and Training’ (63.6%), ‘Climate change/ environment’ (59.8%), ‘Health/mental health’ (56.1%) and ‘Inclusive societies, including gender, anti-discrimination’ (48.12%).

More than half of respondents manifested their desire to actively participate in the initiatives and activities that will be developed. However, even though they have a lot to contribute, there is a big concern about making their voices heard. Many under-18 declared that the only way they know to express their opinions is through voting, and they are not yet allowed to. 61% of the respondents would like to see debates and interacting dialogues happening in the framework of the project. 

On 6 December 2021, a political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council. €8 million from Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps will support the initiatives developed under the European Year of Youth. With this agreement, young Europeans will benefit from many opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and competencies for their professional development and strengthen their civic engagement to shape Europe's future.

The objectives agreed are the following:

• Renewing the positive perspectives for young people

• Supporting young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, to become active and engaged citizens

• Supporting young people to better understand the opportunities available to them and thus enhance their personal, social, economic, and professional development.

• Mainstreaming youth policy across all relevant Union policy fields to encourage that a youth perspective is brought into policy-making at all levels.

ERYICA will work closely with the European Commission in the development, support and implementation of the campaign and actions created for the occasion. 

The European Year of Youth is planned to be launched in January under the French Presidency.

The full programme of activities and further information will be available on the Youth Portal. 

Want to know more? Check the full survey report and the political agreement.