To highlight how the green and digital transitions offer opportunities for young people and to bring a youth perspective to EU policies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared 2022 the European Year of Youth. 

Within the European Year of Youth, the European Union has striven to give young people more and better opportunities for the future. To use President von der Leyen’s words “Europe needs all of its youth. Young people must be able to shape Europe’s future".

The European Year of Youth has led to unprecedented outreach to young people across Europe and beyond, creating mobilisation and raising awareness of EU opportunities and programmes (e.g. Erasmus+ including DiscoverEU, European Solidarity Corps etc.) among millions of young Europeans.

Focusing on issues close to young people’s hearts, such as climate and the environment, employment and mental health, an immersive Voice your Vision platform was launched to provide a way for young people to record their messages on the eight policy areas addressed by the Year and make their voices heard.

To boost active participation and engagement, a series of Youth Policy Dialogues was launched, allowing young people to debate with members of the College of Commissioners, whereas Youth Talks placed young people at the centre stage in order to spread new ideas and inspire their peers to become actors of change.

The European Youth Portal displays all opportunities linked to the Year. A dedicated section includes stories by young journalists and a Youth Policy section covering initiatives directly benefitting young people. In addition, the EYY activities map proposes up to now more than 9000 activities taking place across Europe and beyond.

During the European Year of Youth various central events took place such as the "Level Up! Accelerating change" bootcamp, organised by the European Youth Forum, the European Commission and the European Parliament. This event was an opportunity to bring more than 1400 young people together in Brussels and give them the possibility to develop their skills, build their networks and celebrate their strength.

To conclude the European Year of Youth in the best way, the Closing Conference, under the theme ‘Claim the Future’, took place in the Hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels. The event represented the perfect opportunity to reflect on the Year’s legacy and on how youth policy will remain high on the policy agenda. About 850 participants, which included MEPs, Commissioner, Ministers, State Secretaries, civil society and a large number of young people, had the chance to attend the thematic sessions on education and mental health, engage in discussions and leave their mark on the Year’s legacy.

Entering in 2023, the focus is now moving on the legacy, follow-up and impact that the Year will have in the future. What is sure is that the support for youth will remain high on the agenda of the Commission beyond 2022, and the next European Year of Skills will keep a strong focus on the topic.

One year ago, in response to President von der Leyen’s announcement of the European Year of Youth, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said: ‘Together, we will make this Year a success.’ At the end of this Year, we can celebrate and say: We made this Year a success!