The 10th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue: We Need Youth
The 10th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue: We Need Youth
The European Union Youth Dialogue (EUYD) is a vital participatory mechanism that brings together young people, policymakers, and researchers to reflect on youth-related priorities and policies. Now in its 10th cycle, the EUYD is guided by the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and its European Youth Goals, as well as the outcomes of previous EUYD cycles and their respective Council resolutions, aiming to ensure that young people play a central role in decision-making processes.
The EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 promotes greater involvement of young people in shaping public policies, emphasizing the importance of engaging youth from diverse backgrounds. The EUYD serves as a continuous platform for joint reflection, dialogue, and consultation on youth policy at local, regional, national, and EU levels. It enables a meaningful partnership between young people and policymakers, ensuring that youth perspectives are incorporated into governance processes.
The 10th cycle of the EUYD was led by the Trio Presidency of Spain, Belgium, and Hungary, which focused on European Youth Goal #3: “Inclusive Societies.” Under the motto “We Need Youth” this cycle emphasized the importance of creating more inclusive and equitable societies for young people. The Trio Presidency aimed to address structural barriers to inclusion, improve access to learning environments, and strengthen social support systems for youth.
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The Spanish Presidency made significant strides by prioritising youth mainstreaming in policy decision-making. A key initiative was the development of the EU Youth Test, designed to assess the impact of public policies on young people, thereby ensuring that their perspectives are taken into account. Mental well-being was also a focal point, highlighting the need for policies that address the mental health challenges faced by young people today.
Belgium’s Presidency continued the dialogue on inclusive societies, concentrating on six key themes: structural barriers, the role of information, health and mental well-being, inclusive learning environments, and challenging discriminatory attitudes. The EU Youth Conference held in Ghent produced six recommendations and 34 implementing measures to enhance inclusion in Europe. These recommendations, aimed at member states and the European Commission, called for better support for young people experiencing poverty, greater access to affordable health care and mental health services, and increased investment in inclusive education and youth work.
The Hungarian Presidency concluded the 10th cycle by focusing on young people with fewer opportunities, particularly those in rural and remote areas. The EU Youth Conference in Budapest explored ways to make rural areas more attractive and vibrant for young people. Recommendations included improving access to essential infrastructure such as internet connectivity, transportation, and health services, as well as fostering rural entrepreneurship through mentorship and digital transformation initiatives.
Throughout the 10th cycle, the EUYD has addressed critical challenges, such as the lack of diversity and resources in education, healthcare, housing, and digital access. A key conclusion was the need to mainstream youth policy across all sectors, ensuring young people are actively involved at every stage of policymaking. This involves creating safe spaces for youth participation and ensuring that their voices are heard in addressing discriminatory practices and promoting inclusivity.
This cycle also highlighted the importance of supporting educators and youth workers who play a crucial role in fostering inclusion. The dialogue emphasized the need for lifelong learning opportunities for these professionals, as well as the development of youth-friendly information to ensure young people can access accurate and trustworthy information.
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