EU4Youth joins Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event

Hosted by the European Commission, the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event took place on 9-10 October 2024 in Brussels, highlighting the transformational impact of the EU youth agenda, celebrating achievements and new partnerships, and connecting youth champion networks.

The event followed the Summit of the Future and marked the second anniversary of the adoption of the Youth Action Plan (YAP). Its aim was to further strengthen the foundations of the EU’s Youth Agenda, particularly in external relations, and to showcase the political potential of youth partnerships. This forum served as a significant milestone for the EU and its partners, reaffirming the importance of youth as a strategic investment for the future.

The two-day event featured a series of panel discussions, concluding with a closing session on the key takeaways and the importance of investing in youth. Youth representatives emphasised the need for ongoing support for youth initiatives and presented forward-looking recommendations. The panels underscored the significance of engaging young people in the EU’s external actions to foster sustainable development, equality, and peace.

A key component of the event was the ‘marketplace’, which showcased a variety of EU programmes and initiatives at thematic stands. The EU4Youth Programme was present at one of the stands presented alongside other programmes of DG NEAR. “This marketplace was a unique opportunity to share our experiences and present the work of the different EU4Youth projects to over 400 participants from all over the world,” said Max Pijevskii, EU4Youth Alumni Network Coordinator.

The event underscored the EU’s commitment to youth empowerment and the ongoing efforts to integrate youth perspectives into its global and regional policies. Behrooz Motamed-Afshari, team leader of the EU4Youth Coordination and Policy Support project, concluded: “Investing in the youth of Eastern partner countries is a strategic imperative for DG NEAR. It nurtures democracy, fuels economic growth, and fosters social cohesion. By empowering young voices, EU support cultivates a generation of informed, engaged citizens who can drive positive change, resist authoritarian influences, and build stronger ties with Europe. This investment in human capital is an investment in our shared future, promoting stability, prosperity, and resilience across the entire region. We hope that this important focus will prevail and remain in the future European Commission.”

Find out more

Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event

Main insights and programme overview – EU4Youth Achievements Report 2023 – EU4Youth Days

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