The EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027) has been instrumental in building bridges in uncertain times, fostering youth participation in democratic life, and supporting civic engagement across Europe. In an era marked by technological change, political distrust, and the rise of disinformation, it is vital to build on these achievements to ensure that young people remain resilient architects of their own lives and active agents of solidarity.
Considering the challenges Europe faces and its ambition to strengthen its values, resilience, and preparedness, Eurodesk believes that youth information and outreach should be even more strongly emphasised in the next EU Youth Strategy.
Eurodesk stresses the need for a dedicated chapter on youth work in the EU Youth Strategy that recognises the specific role of youth information services and professionals. Indeed, despite several policy recommendations for implementing national and European information strategies, insufficient progress has been made.
- The EU Youth Strategy should explicitly call on Member States to establish and finance youth information and counselling services accessible to all young people, without discrimination, to guarantee young people’s right to quality information.
- Recognise and invest in EU information services such as the European Youth Portal and the Eurodesk network, the EU-level specialised information network targeting young people and connecting them with EU values and the European project, as well as with existing youth opportunities to go abroad and to make their voices heard.Â
Meaningful youth participation and access to quality youth information cannot be treated as standalone policy ambitions; they require sustained commitment to well-resourced youth structures, qualified professionals, and enabling frameworks. We therefore call for EU policy ambitions to be consistently matched in the negotiations of the next Multiannual Financial Framework, ensuring that the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy are fully reflected across programmes.
Check the Policy Paper on Eurodesk’s contribution to the review of the EU Youth Strategy!
