A discussion on the EU’s future youth policies and the development of the new post-2027 Youth Strategy took place on Monday during the meeting of the European Union’s Education and Youth Council in Brussels, chaired by the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Athina Michaelidou, as Cyprus is currently holding the EU rotating Presidency.
Michaelidou underlined the importance of dialogue with young people, as part of the preparations for the new strategy, stressing that policymaking cannot be carried out independently from the very groups it is intended to serve. As she noted, the next phase of the strategy is being shaped through consultations with youth organisations and institutional representatives from member states.
The Minister briefed her counterparts on the conclusions of the dialogue held in the morning with the participation of EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, as well as youth delegations from Denmark, Cyprus, Ireland and Lithuania, alongside representatives of the European Commission, the European Youth Forum and the European Students’ Forum.
Michaelidou noted that the discussion focused on the EU Youth Strategy beyond 2027, with particular emphasis on how the Union will shape its policy framework for the coming period in cooperation with young people themselves. She stressed that the process is still at an early but crucial stage, as it will determine the long-term direction of youth policies across Europe.
The Minister explained that the current Youth Strategy, which runs until 2027, has been built around three core pillars: ‘engage, connect and empower’.
Andreas Constantinou, representative of the Cyprus Youth Council, referred to the discussions held during the informal youth breakfast dialogue, noting that the structure of the EU Youth Strategy beyond 2027 may require further strengthening.
According to Constantinou, the discussion highlighted the idea of adding a fourth pillar to the strategy, alongside the existing ‘engage, connect and empower’ framework, focused on ‘support’.
As he explained, the concept of ‘support’ could reflect the creation of the necessary conditions enabling young people to access opportunities and participate meaningfully in policymaking.
Constantinou also referred to the importance of monitoring the impact of youth participation on policy decisions, stressing the need for greater transparency regarding how proposals submitted by young people are used. As he noted, there should be a clear record of what young people propose, what is ultimately adopted, and why certain proposals are not taken forward.