EU Youth Stakeholders Group

What is the purpose of the EU Youth Stakeholders Group?

The aim of the EU Youth Stakeholders Group is to engage European youth organisations, national youth councils, youth researchers, representatives of Member States and other EU institutions in the implementation of the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022 and the 2019-2027 EU Youth Strategy, and to facilitate exchanges and youth consultations on forthcoming EU policy initiatives. 

The Group will:

1. exchange knowledge and good practices in engaging, connecting, and empowering young people and in implementing the 2019-2027 EU Youth Strategy and its instruments, including the EU Youth Dialogue;
2. facilitate the Commission ‘youth check’ process, in particular the consultations of young people, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders; 
3. help improve understanding of the needs and concerns of young people and youth organisations, in their diversity and at multiple levels and
4. serve as a sounding board and an incubator of ideas and actions leading towards joint initiatives to the benefit of young people.

How will the EU Youth Stakeholders Group work?

The European Commission will organise dedicated meetings of the Group. In between meetings, members of the Group will be able to exchange knowledge and good practices on an online platform. 

Who is part of the EU Youth Stakeholders Group work?

The Group brings together EU representatives, representatives of EU member states/ministries, EU national youth councils, selected European level youth stakeholders and youth researchers. 

The Group is coordinated by the European Commission. The EU Youth Coordinator chairs meetings of the Group. 

How were the members of the EU Youth Stakeholders Group selected?

All EU member states and national youth councils were invited to nominate representatives to the group. 

In July 2024, the European Commission launched an open call for European level youth organisations interested in becoming members of the EU Youth Stakeholders Group. 

Of the 76 applications received, 66 organisations were found eligible. Based on the selection criteria as described in the call for expression of interest, and the need to ensure balance of geographical coverage, policy area expertise and diversity, 41 organisations were selected to become members of the EU Youth Stakeholders. See the full list of selected organisations.

Of the selected organisations:

• 71% are youth-led. The remaining have a youth-advisory structure, which contributes to the decision-making process;
• 54% are not part of any other networks, stakeholder or expert groups run by the European Commission;
• 46% contributes to the EU Youth Dialogue;
• 27% have activities or members in all EU Member States. The remaining have activities or members in at least half of all EU Member States.

If you have any question related to the EU Youth Stakeholders Group, you can contact EAC-YOUTH@ec.europa.eu.