How much do you know about the European Youth Forum?

Last updated on Wednesday, 21/10/2020

The European Youth Forum (‎YFJ) is the platform of youth organisations in Europe. Its member organisations are national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations. Together they are the voice of youth in Europe a

The European Youth Forum's vision is to be the voice of young people in Europe, where young people are equal citizens encouraged and supported to achieve their fullest potential as global citizens.

To overcome the challenges faced by young people, the European Youth Forum aims to:

• empower and encourage young people to participate actively in shaping society, and especially a more integrated Europe;
• promote youth rights and opportunities;
• improve youth living conditions; 
• be the voice of young people in Europe.

How do they do this?

The European Youth Forum acts as an advocacy organisation, runs high visibility campaigns and is in regular contact with EU institutions and other international organisations to voice the perspective of young people. The Forum is part of the steering group of the EU Youth Dialogue that aims to create a dialogue between young people and EU decision-makers.

Their activities include: 

• getting more young people and youth organisations to take part in social projects, and especially in decision-making processes;
• influencing policies that affect young people, by being a recognised partner for international institutions such as the European Union institutions, the Council of Europe and the United Nations;
• encouraging policy-making bodies to take youth issues into account in all policy areas;
• creating viable, genuinely independent youth organisations, both national and international, particularly by pushing for adequate funding;
• getting young people from different backgrounds and countries to listen to and appreciate each others’ ideas and experience;
• endorsing intercultural understanding, democracy, respect, diversity, human rights, active citizenship and solidarity;
• contributing to youth work in other parts of the world.

Want to be part of it?

The European Youth Forum is a membership-based organisation, in order to be a member you will need to join a national youth council or an international youth organisation (check list of members). 

Of course, as an individual you can receive information about their activities (Yo!News) and support their different campaigns for youth rights.  

Discover how you can get involved in their upcoming initiatives, by checking out the YFJ’s website and their Facebook page!