Politicians and decision-makers often describe young people like me, and probably you, as the “Future of Europe”. However, they often fail to listen to our voices or acknowledge that we are already shaping its present: contributing to our communities, sharing ideas and pushing for change. Many young people struggle to find ways to make their voices heard, not because they lack interest, but because they face barriers such as limited access to education and employment, insufficient mental health support and the feeling that their opinions are not taken seriously.
While researching how we could change this situation, I came across the 11 EU Youth Goals, and I believe they could provide an effective framework for increasing youth participation in Europe. They offer ways for more young people to engage in public life, have their opinions heard by policymakers and make a meaningful difference in their communities.
This feels particularly important to me at the moment, as I have had the opportunity to experience youth participation from two different perspectives. I am currently doing an internship at a youth organisation, and before that, I participated in several Erasmus+ projects. When a friend suggested this internship opportunity, I was curious about it. I already knew what it felt like to take part in a youth exchange, but I wanted to understand how such opportunities are created.
This experience made the question behind the EU Youth Goals feel much more immediate to me: how can young people move from simply being invited to participate to having a genuine say in the decisions and activities that affect them?
Understanding the EU Youth Goals
The EU Youth Goals are 11 priorities developed with young people to make our voices heard and help shape the EU Youth Strategy for 2019–2027. They address the main challenges faced by young people across Europe, highlighting areas where greater attention and action are needed, from inclusive societies and mental health to education, employment and participation in democratic life.
The 11 EU Youth Goals aim to strengthen cooperation between young people, youth organisations and European institutions. They are closely linked to the three core areas of the EU Youth Strategy:
- Engage: Encouraging young people to participate in democratic and civic life.
- Connect: Bringing young people together and creating opportunities for cooperation and exchange.
- Empower: Supporting young people in developing their skills, confidence and potential.
In this way, the Youth Goals recognise that improving young people’s well-being requires an inclusive approach that takes broader economic, environmental and social factors into account. No single solution can address all the challenges young people face.
What stands out to me is that these priorities were not simply written for young people by distant decision-makers. They emerged from conversations with young people themselves. Rather than offering a checklist of universal solutions, the 11 Goals represent a shared vision of the kind of society younger generations want to help build. They provide direction for organisations, communities and institutions to work together while listening to those most affected by their decisions.
As someone currently living in a country different from my own, I find it inspiring to see how young people from different European countries have managed to overcome their differences, collaborate and develop a common vision. Having a shared set of goals helps us recognise common challenges without assuming that every young person has the same experiences or needs.
Why Youth Participation Matters in Europe
Youth participation is essential to ensuring that European policies reflect the experiences and needs of young people. When young people are involved in discussions and decision-making, institutions can better understand the realities of their lives rather than relying on assumptions. This is particularly important in areas such as education, employment, sustainability and digital life, where decisions made today will shape the opportunities available tomorrow. Older generations may not always fully understand the experiences and perspectives of young people, making their direct involvement even more valuable.
However, participation must mean more than simply being asked for an opinion. Young people should be able to see that their contributions are taken seriously and, whenever possible, understand how their input influences decisions and leads to change. Otherwise, consultations risk becoming disconnected from everyday life, leaving young people discouraged and less willing to engage in politics and civic activities.
I have experienced this process during my internship. At first, I was hesitant to share my opinions, but over time I became more confident about expressing my ideas instead of keeping them to myself. What made the difference was seeing those ideas develop into something real. This experience changed the way I think about participation and helped me understand that you do not need to lead a project or have years of experience to make a meaningful contribution.
There are many ways to get involved, and everyone has something valuable to offer. Someone who enjoys creating content can help a project reach a wider audience; someone who likes organising activities can support an event; while others may prefer communicating with participants or working directly with communities. Recognising and valuing these different contributions makes participation more inclusive and meaningful. In my case, it has also enriched my internship experience and helped me develop new skills.
More broadly, participating in society allows young people to play an active role in shaping their communities. When their ideas and opinions are valued, they can develop a stronger sense of responsibility, belonging and connection with the people around them.
Putting the Youth Goals into Practice
The EU Youth Goals provide a common framework for improving the lives of young people across Europe by identifying challenges and establishing shared priorities. However, setting goals is only the first step. Their real impact depends on how effectively they are translated into programmes, policies and local initiatives that make a tangible difference in young people’s lives.
Achieving this requires cooperation between young people, youth organisations, policymakers and communities, as well as a commitment to addressing the barriers that prevent some young people from getting involved. It is not enough to simply offer opportunities for young people to express their opinions. We must also create spaces where their ideas are taken seriously and where they can actively contribute to meaningful outcomes. Across Europe, many youth organisations are working towards this goal by developing initiatives that encourage participation, personal development and active citizenship.
Erasmus+ is one example of how these goals can be translated into practical experiences. Youth exchanges and other learning opportunities bring together people from different backgrounds, creating supportive environments where they can develop communication skills, teamwork, intercultural understanding and confidence through hands-on experience.
For me, this connection became particularly clear during my internship. I created social media content, struggled with producing Reels, managed communication during a youth exchange, produced a podcast and helped organise an event presenting project results. These were practical tasks, sometimes challenging, unfamiliar and far from perfect, but they helped me understand the work behind a successful youth activity and how I could make a difference. They also gave me valuable opportunities to learn by doing and contribute in ways that matched my interests.
At the same time, I realise that simply offering activities is not enough. Financial, social and other barriers can make it difficult for some young people to participate in these opportunities. Truly inclusive participation means considering who is being left out, what kind of support they need and whether the available opportunities are genuinely accessible to them. If the Youth Goals are to benefit young Europeans, they must reach beyond those who already know where to find such opportunities.
Conclusion
The EU Youth Goals recognise something important: young people are not simply preparing to become active members of society; they are already part of it. However, they do not always know how to make their voices heard or how to create meaningful change.
Identifying challenges and setting priorities is not enough to provide young people with the skills and confidence they need to make a difference. We need accessible opportunities, effective programmes and lasting cooperation between young people, organisations, institutions and communities. This is a continuous process that requires commitment, patience and collective effort.
The real challenge is to ensure that every young person has access to opportunities and safe, supportive spaces where they can practise active participation without fear of judgement. We need to be able to share our experiences, influence decisions and find accessible ways to contribute to our communities. Through these experiences, we can become more confident that our opinions matter and that our actions can lead to positive change.
My internship has helped me take these steps. I have become more confident in sharing my ideas rather than keeping them to myself, and seeing those ideas turn into something real has been particularly rewarding. I would like more young people to have similar experiences and discover what they are capable of contributing.
For anyone curious about getting involved and putting the 11 EU Youth Goals into practice, Erasmus+ activities, youth organisations, volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps, internships and local events can all be excellent starting points. Ultimately, the real success of the Youth Goals will be measured by whether more young people, including those facing additional barriers, are able to take those first steps, make their voices heard and help shape what happens next.
Sources
- European Union. European Youth Goals. European Youth Portal.
https://youth.europa.eu/strategy/european-youth-goals_en - European Union. EU Youth Strategy. European Youth Portal.
https://youth.europa.eu/strategy_en - European Commission. Erasmus+ Programme Guide: Youth Exchanges.
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-b/key-action-1/youth-exchanges