The EU has decided to dedicate this year to young people. Find out more about the European Year of Youth and EU programs for them.

EU youth programs
The EU recognizes the importance of young people's well-being, development, engagement and participation in society. That is why he has launched a number of youth programs and initiatives, from the well-known and popular Erasmus exchange program, which started in 1987, to the Conference on the Future of Europe, where one third of panel participants are under 25.

Find out more about EU action on youth employment

European Year of Youth
This year, the EU is putting a special focus on young people. The aim is to involve them and their priorities in policy-making and to organize activities aimed at young people across the EU.

Youth in Europe
• One in six people in Europe is between 15 and 29 years old
• Every third person in 2019 spent at least two weeks abroad for work, training or education
• 75 percent have a positive opinion of the European Union and democracy.

At the request of Parliament, special attention will be paid to young people with fewer opportunities and to solving mental health problems. During the year, a new project "ALMA" will be launched to promote cross-border mobility of disadvantaged youth.

The impact of the crown crisis on youth
The corona crisis has significantly affected young people who have lost their jobs and felt the consequences on their mental and emotional health. The EU has therefore decided to give priority to youth issues in order to improve their prospects for the future.

Youth and COVID-19
• Every third person found it difficult to cope with corona measures
• Unemployment rose from 11.9 percent in 2019 to 13.3 percent in 2020.
• 40 percent fear for their health and 66 percent for the health of family and friends.

EU initiatives for young people
• The European Youth Meeting is an event of the European Parliament that gives young people the opportunity to get to know each other, discuss with EU policy makers and present ideas about the future of Europe.
• Visit to the European Parliament and participate in various activities through which more can be learned about the EU
• Thanks to the School Ambassador program of the European Parliament, students in secondary and vocational schools learn about European democracy and values ​​and the role they can play in the EU through various activities.
• The European Charlemagne Youth Prize is awarded each year to projects that promote European and international understanding and foster a sense of European identity and integration.
• The European Youth Portal provides information on opportunities and initiatives at European and national level related to education, volunteering, work, travel, democratic participation, sustainable development and the like.