In 2022 the EU will give a special focus to young people.
The aim of the European Year of Youth was set out in a joint decision of the European Parliament and the Council adopted on 22 December 2021. The various initiatives and youth programmes of the EU should lead to increased engagement of young people in social life, preserving the European values and working towards greater European integration. As one in six Europeans is aged between 15 and 29 years[1] it is of utmost importance to pay closer attention to the needs of the younger generation as well as include these needs within the EU policymaking process.
The ambitious goal of bringing together young people and policymakers on local, regional, national and EU level regardless of their background includes a set of initiatives in the following areas aimed at:
- Expanding employment opportunities for young people following the EU Recovery plan of the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Tackling the problems faced by vulnerable groups and in particular young people with disabilities;
- Promoting discussion and development of initiatives for preventing mental health issues among young people;
- Encouraging the youth to formulate its own initiatives in order to support the efforts towards the implementation of climate targets;
- Raising awareness about sustainability and sustainable practices;
- Increasing the interest and participation in the democratic and electoral life on both national and EU level.
2022 will be a year which is aimed at “empower(ing), honour(ing), support(ing) and engag(ing) with young people, including those with fewer opportunities, in a post-COVID-19 pandemic perspective with a view to having a long-term positive impact for young people.”[1] In addition to the strategy for this year the EU continues providing young people with various opportunities through its programmes in the area of education (Erasmus+), creativity (Creative Europe programme), promoting EU’s democratic values among school students (European Parliament Ambassador School Programme) as well as sharing information about initiatives and best practices for young people (European Youth Portal).
Learn more on what the European Parliament is doing for the young people in Europe.
References:
- Decision of the European Parliament and the Council on a European Year of Youth (2022). Brussels, 22.12.2021. 2021/0328 (COD)LEX 2139. Available online at: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/PE-81-2021-REV-1/en/pdf. https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/PE-81-2021-REV-1/en/pdf
- European Year of Youth 2022 to empower young people | News | European Parliament. 2022. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20211210IPR19216/european-year-of-youth-2022-to-empower-young-people. [Accessed 14 January 2022].
- 2022: The European Year of Youth | News | European Parliament. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/eu-affairs/20211213STO19307/2022-the-european-year-of-youth. [Accessed 14 January 2022].
European Year of Youth 2022 to empower young people – EU monitor . 2022. European Year of Youth 2022 to empower young people – EU monitor . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.eumonitor.eu/9353000/1/j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vlor7qwp1nzm?ctx=vhsih95vppua. [Accessed 14 January 2022].
[1] Decision of the European Parliament and the Council on a European Year of Youth (2022)
[1] 2022: The European Year of Youth | News | European Parliament.
She holds degrees in both Public Relations and European Governance. Currently, Daniela is combining her passion for communications and social media with her interest in the work of European institutions.