Connecting EU with Youth: The 11th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue

Zadnja sprememba Četrtek, 27/02/2025

The 11th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue has started. From January 2025 until June 2026, the trio of Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus takes over the Council’s Presidency and the 11th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue! This is your chance to connect with the European Union and make your voice matter.

What’s the EU Youth Dialogue all about?
The EU Youth Dialogue is a space for sharing views, influencing policies, and ensuring that your voices are heard.

What is the aim?

• Make sure young people and youth organisations have a say in decisions at all levels through consultations and working with policy-makers.
• Get more young people involved in making and implementing policies so the EU reflects their needs and wants.
• Focus on following-up the European Youth Goals, especially Goal #1: Connecting EU with Youth, in the case of the 11I cycle. 

Connecting EU with Youth 

It is important that young people trust the EU and understand how it works. Today, this is not always the case, which has led to increased scepticism.

The main focus of the 11th cycle is EU Youth Goal #1 - Connecting EU with Youth. Young people should feel part of the EU and build a bridge to regain trust and increase their participation.

In the past, during the 6th cycle (2017-2018), over 50,000 young Europeans set 11 goals that summarise what is important to them. They highlighted the need to feel more connected to the EU and to understand its principles, values, and how they can participate. Even though Europe has changed, this need remains strong.

This cycle will focus on:

• Ensuring young people have a meaningful say in all stages of EU decision-making by improving current ways and creating new ones.
• Increasing transparency and visibility in the EU to address the democratic gaps.
• Exploring how EU policies can be more youth-friendly and impactful.

The three Presidencies of the Council of the EU will also look into how effective current EU youth programmes are and find ways to improve them to better support youth development.

How will it happen:

• Consultation phase (Poland): Kicking off the cycle, Poland will focus on reinforcing a strong European identity and enhancing the governance of the EU Youth Dialogue. This phase includes gathering inputs from young people about their views on EU values and principles.
• Transition phase (Denmark): Denmark will review the consultation results and guide the dialogue towards formulating practical recommendations. Discussions will centre on enhancing the connection between youth and EU programmes, like Erasmus+.
• Implementation phase (Cyprus): Cyprus will wrap up the process by evaluating the cycle's overall effectiveness. The gathered insights will be translated into policy recommendations to strengthen youth engagement and trust in the EU.

Want to get involved in the EU Youth Dialogue? Find the national contact point in your country, and join in!

It’s your turn. Get involved. Have your say. Be listened to. Your voice matters!

Written by Eurodesk Brussels Link