THE SWEDISH NATIONAL BOARD FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS | YOUTH POLICY | YOUTH POLICY IN THE EU

Two hands holding a globe (copyright: European Commission)

Youth policy cooperation in the EU

The European Union’s youth policy cooperation aims to meet young people’s changing expectations while encouraging them to contribute to society.

Following enlargement, Europe has 75 million young people between the ages of 15 and 25. Today's young Europeans live in a rapidly evolving social, demographic economic and technological environment.

A renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field

The EU ministers working with youth policy have adopted a new framework for EU cooperation on youth policy to be implemented and followed between 2010-2018. The overarching goals are to create more and equal opportunities for all young people in the education system and on the labour market, and to promote active citizenship and social inclusion.

Prioritized areas in the new framework of youth policy

Education, employment, social inclusion, participation and health are some of the prioritized areas in the new framework for youth policy cooperation in the European Union.

Development of youth policy cooperation in the EU

Cooperation on youth policy began with the White Paper in 2001, which enabled the member countries to identify common objectives for the area. The Youth Pact in 2005 pointed out and enhanced the importance of integrating the youth perspective in all policy areas.