The Commission gives young people a stronger voice in EU policymaking as a legacy of the European Year of Youth!

Last updated on Wednesday, 10/01/2024

As follow up to the European Year of Youth 2022 the European Commission has decided on several actions to give young people a stronger voice in EU policymaking, including the introduction of a ‘youth check’.

On 10 January 2024, the Commission adopted a Communication on the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022. It deepens the youth dimension of EU policies, thus boosting the engagement of young people in the preparation of EU policies.

When designing EU policies, the Commission will apply a ‘youth check’ which will ensure that their impact on young people is taken into account. This will be done by making sure that the existing Better Regulation tools, including consultations and impact assessments, are used to their maximum potential.

These tools will be complemented with several youth-specific instruments under the 2019-2027 EU Youth Strategy. Other initiatives that go hand-in-hand with the youth check include policy dialogues between young people and Commissioners, a series of dedicated youth mainstreaming roundtables and a new youth stakeholders’ platform that will facilitate a continuous exchange with youth organisations, youth researchers, Member State representatives and other EU institutions. The Commission will also strenghen the EU Youth Dialogue.

In addition, the Commission has put forward several concrete actions addressing young people’s concerns on topics such as health and wellbeing, environment and climate change, education and training, international cooperation and European values as well as employment and inclusion.

As part of the Commission’s effort to bring the EU close to young people, the 2024 European Youth Week will take place from 12 to 19 April and will focus on democratic participation and elections. Consequently, the European elections taking place from 6 to 9 June 2024 further amplify the importance of engaging young people in a meaningful way, building on the achievements of the European Year of Youth.

Learn more about the achievements of the European Year of Youth 2022 and the new Commission proposals !