Illustration by Daniela Nunes

Nurturing Europe's future: European Youth Week 2024

 by European Commission, DG Education, Youth, Sport & Culture, Unit B3: Youth and Volunteer solidarity 

From 12 April to 19 April, the essence of democracy and active citizenship swept across Europe as the curtains rose on the European Youth Week 2024, offering opportunities for young individuals  to shape Europe’s future. This biennial event aimed to highlight the remarkable achievements of young Europeans and the pivotal role of EU youth policies. 

As the continent geared up for the upcoming European elections, this year's European Youth Week took on a profound significance, dedicated to sparking active participation and fostering European citizenship.

It began with a grand opening at the European Parliament in Brussels on 12 April, attracting over 900 enthusiastic young participants from diverse backgrounds spanning Europe and beyond.

Thirty-four parallel breakout sessions, including 16 focused on "Democratic participation and active citizenship", provided a platform for key stakeholders and young participants to delve into topics resonating with youth and exchange inspiring success stories.

The opening ceremony streamed live on the European Youth Week website, ensured inclusivity and accessibility for all interested individuals.

A notable highlight of the week was the Marketplace located within the premises of the European Parliament. With 20 engaging stands, the Marketplace fostered direct engagement between young people and representatives from European Institutions and youth organisations, offering insights into the EU and avenues for active involvement.

Furthermore, the week featured an outdoor exhibition in front of the European Parliament in Brussels from 10 April to 24 April. The exhibition showcased 35 flagship projects selected by National Agencies from the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes across 33 countries. These flagship projects exemplified youth engagement and active citizenship across social, political, cultural, and environmental projects, celebrating the indelible contributions of young individuals to society.

As the European Youth Week unfolded, dialogues were organised convening thirty-two young participants from diverse backgrounds and nationalities to engage directly with prominent EU policymakers.

These dialogues empowered young people to shape future policies affecting their lives and communities, addressing pertinent topics such as "Our European way of life" with European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas and "European Degree and Learning Mobility" with Commissioner Iliana Ivanova. 

The enthusiasm continued with the "LevelUP! 2024: I care, I vote" event spanning two days, bringing together 1,300 young people. Organised by the European Youth Forum, this event was held on 12 to 13 April at the European Parliament in Brussels. This event was designed to equip participants with the tools and strategies to enhance their campaigning skills, ultimately striving to increase the turnout of young voters in the European elections.

Furthermore, 25 DiscoverEU ambassadors convened for a two-day meet-up on 11 and 12 April, igniting the spirit of the European Youth Week. Activities included the discovery of the Belgian’s culinary traditions through a city game. It was a remarkable opportunity for these young participants to forge connections, share experiences, and kickstart the week with energy and enthusiasm.

As an integral part of the European Youth Week, the European Commission launched its DiscoverEU spring call on 16 April, offering 35,500 DiscoverEU travel passes to young people aged 18.

DiscoverEU aims to enable young people to explore Europe's rich cultural heritage, fostering cross-cultural exchange and understanding.

Throughout the European Youth Week 2024, more than 1,900 engaging activities were organised around Europe, enabling young Europeans to participate in events tailored to their interests in their respective countries. A dedicated interactive activities map on the European Youth Portal facilitated navigation and participation, ensuring accessibility for young people eager to engage in meaningful endeavours close to home. 

Moreover, a comprehensive "stakeholders’ toolkit" accessible on the European Youth Portal provided  resources for partners seeking to involve young people during the European Youth Week and its diverse array of activities. 

Furthermore, young Europeans were encouraged to share their views on the EU through the “Voice your Vision” platform, where they conveyed why voting is important to them and suggested future priorities for the European Union. This initiative aims to amplify young people's voices and ensure their perspectives are integrated in shaping the future of Europe.

A dedicated campaign on the ‘European Youth’ social media channels (Facebook, X, and Instagram) kept audiences engaged throughout the week with dynamic and informative posts. In addition, young influencers (i.e., @nataliapazicka) from around Europe shared their own creative content.
Through dialogue, engagement, and collective action, young people from around Europe expressed their commitment to democracy, active citizenship, and the European project.

Overall, the European Youth Week 2024 emerged as a success, empowering young people and collectively shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for Europe.