Communication from the Commission to the Council on European policies concerning youth - Addressing the concerns of young people in Europe - implementing the European Youth Pact and promoting active citizenship -  Communication from Mr. Figel’ in association with Mr. Špidla {SEC (2005) 693}
Date: 2005-05-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, European citizenship, cultural policy, education policy, vocational training, young person

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 30.05.2005 
COM(2005) 206 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
on European policies concerning youth 

Addressing the concerns of young people in Europe –  
implementing the European Youth Pact and promoting active citizenship 

{SEC (2005) 693} 

Communication from Mr. Figel’ 
in association with Mr. Špidla 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The destiny of Europe increasingly depends on its ability to foster societies that are child- and 
youth-friendly.  Adoption  of  the  European  Pact  for  Youth  by  the  Spring  2005  European 
Council1, as part of the revised Lisbon Strategy focussing on growth and jobs, is a recognition 
that  integrating  young  people  in  society  and  working  life,  and  making  better  use  of  their 
potential, are essential for ensuring a return to sustained and sustainable growth in Europe.  

This initiative highlights youth in core areas of the Lisbon partnership for growth and jobs, in 
particular  via  the  European  Employment  and  Social  Inclusion  Strategies  and  also  the 
Education  and  Training  2010  Work  programme,  and  calls  for  consistency  across  the 
initiatives within them.  

Adoption  of  the  Pact  coincides  with  the  completion  of  the  first  cycle  of  implementing  the 
White  Paper  on  a  new  impetus  for  European  youth2  of  2001,  taken  forward  in  the  Council 
Resolution of June 20023. This established a framework of European cooperation in the youth 
field  for  enhancing  young  people’s  active  citizenship,  through  an  open  method  of 
coordination (OMC), and including a youth dimension in other policies.  

More than ever, Europe needs young people’s ongoing commitment that will help in building 
an  inclusive  Europe.  Equally,  success  of  this  initiative  depends  on  involving  all  parties 
concerned, and first and foremost, youth organisations as well as regional and local authorities 
and the social partners. 

The Communication:  

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sets out how the Pact can be put into operation,  

defines the priorities of the Youth OMC,  

addresses a youth dimension in other policies, 

lists relevant European programmes and  

examines how to further involve young people in the political process. 

2. 

YOUTH IN THE LISBON PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH AND JOBS  

2.1. 

The context 

In  proposing  a  European  Pact  for  Youth,  the  Heads  of  State  and  Government  of  France, 
Germany, Spain and Sweden identified four principal issues:  

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1  
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3 

the vulnerability of young people  

the need to develop solidarity across the generations, in an ageing society 

Annex 1 of Presidency Conclusions of the European Council, Brussels, 22-23.3.2005 (7619/05).  
COM(2001) 681. 
OJ C168, 13.7.2002. 

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the need to equip young people through their education and training  

the need for better coherence across all policy areas that concern young people. 

This analysis coincides with the analysis in the White Paper. Under pressure from economic 
and  socio-cultural  factors,  the  nature  of  youth  is  changing.  Young  people  arrive  at  the 
different  stages  of  life  later  than  did  earlier  generations,  along  pathways  less  linear  than 
before.  

The European Council, when preparing the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy, took note 
of the importance of demographic factors in shaping Europe’s future. 

As set out in the Commission’s Green Paper on confronting demographic change4, declining 
birth rates and rising life expectancies have brought about dramatic changes in the size and 
age structure of Europe’s population. The number of young people aged 15 to 24 is set to drop 
by a quarter, from 12.6 to 9.7%, between 2005 and 2050, while the age-group 65 + will grow 
from 16.4 to 29.9%.5 The Green paper draws attention to the implications for Europe of these 
changes, with particular emphasis on young people. The new Social Agenda 2005-20106 also 
takes the importance of the intergenerational approach into account. 

Transition  into  the  labour  market  for  young  people  is  difficult,  with  youth  unemployment 
more than double the overall rate within Europe (17.9% for under 25s, compared with 7.7% 
for 25 year-olds and up)7. Young people are particularly at risk of poverty (19% of 16-24 year 
olds, compared with 12% of 25-64 year-olds).8  

Young people have a significant contribution to make to the Lisbon goals of boosting jobs and 
growth  and  to  sustainable  development,  as  they  make  up  the  future  work  force,  and  are  the 
future  source  of  much-needed  research  capabilities,  innovation  and  entrepreneurship.  These 
goals can only be achieved if young people are properly equipped with knowledge, skills and 
competences  through  high  quality,  relevant  education  and  training.  This  cannot  be  ensured 
unless  barriers  such  as  growing  up  in  poverty  and  social  exclusion  are  removed.  Gender 
inequalities also need to be addressed, as young women experience higher unemployment and 
a higher risk of poverty than young men, while more young men leave school early. 

2.2. 

The European Youth Pact 

Against  this  background,  and  in  line  with  the  Commission’s  Strategic  Objectives  for  2005-
20099,  the  European  Council  concluded  that  young  people  should  benefit  from  a  set  of 
policies  and  measures  fully  integrated  in  the  revised  Lisbon  Strategy,  and  adopted  a  Pact 
comprising three strands (see Annex 1): 

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– 

4 
5 
6 
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employment, integration and social advancement 

education, training and mobility 

COM(2005) 94. 
2004-based Eurostat population projections, baseline variant. 
COM(2005) 33. 
COM(2005) 94. 
do. 
COM(2005) 12. 

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reconciliation of family life and working life. 

The  relevant  actions  in  these  areas  are  to  be  drawn  up  in  particular  in  the  European 
Employment  Strategy,  the  Social  Inclusion  Strategy,  and  also  the  Education  and  Training 
2010  Work  Programme.  Including  youth  in  the  Lisbon partnership for growth and jobs will 
not  entail  any  new  structures.  By  reinforcing  the  measures  for  young  people,  it  will  help 
maximise the impact of the Lisbon Strategy.  

Member  States  will  draw  on  the  ‘Integrated  Guidelines  for  Growth  and  Jobs’  (combining 
economic and employment guidelines) which the Commission proposed in April 200510 when 
presenting their national Lisbon reform programmes in autumn 2005 (Annex 2).  

The  monitoring  of  the  implementation  of  the  Pact  will  be  integrated  in  the  reporting 
mechanisms of the Lisbon Strategy. The Commission’s Annual Lisbon Progress Report will 
draw  on  reports  from  Member  States  each  autumn  on  the  progress  made  in  the  national 
Lisbon reform programmes. This report will be examined in the relevant Council formations 
and discussed at the Spring European Council.  

At  Community  level,  the  Commission  has  announced  a  Community  Lisbon  Programme 
targeting the priorities of the Lisbon Mid-Term Review endorsed by the 2005 spring Council. 

The following sections highlight the aspects of the Integrated Guidelines and the forthcoming 
Community Lisbon Programme that are relevant for the Pact.  

2.2.1.  Measures for the employment, integration and social advancement of young people  

The proposed Employment Guidelines 2005-2008, now part of the Integrated Guidelines, are 
at  the  core  of  the  European  Employment  Strategy,  and  play  a  central  coordinating  role  for 
Member  States’  employment  policies.  They  concentrate  on  the  contribution  of  employment 
policies to creating more and better jobs, identifying the following three core priorities: 

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attract  and  retain  more  people  in  employment  and  modernise  social  protection 
systems 

improve adaptability of workers and enterprises and the flexibility of labour markets 

increase investment in human capital through better education and skills 

The following Guidelines in particular are relevant for young people: 

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– 

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promotion  of  a  life-cycle  approach  to  work  (which  includes,  inter  alia  a 
renewed  endeavour  to  build  employment  pathways  for  young  people  and 
reducing  youth  unemployment,  as  well  as  resolute  action  to  eliminate  gender 
gaps in employment, unemployment and pay)  

ensuring inclusive labour markets for job-seekers and disadvantaged people 

improving matching of labour market needs 

10 

COM(2005) 141. 

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expansion and improvement of investment in human capital 

adapting  education  and  training  systems  in  response  to  new  competence 
requirements. 

Member States receive financial support for implementing the relevant measures through the 
European  Structural  Funds,  in  particular  the  European  Social  Fund.  Member  States  are  also 
encouraged to make use of the facilities provided by the European Investment Bank. 

The mutual learning programme on employment promoting exchange of good practice among 
Member  States  includes  a  focus  on  youth  employment  in  2005.  The  Commission  will  also 
continue its efforts to ensure full transposition and implementation of EC legislation banning 
discrimination in employment on grounds of age11. 

The  Social  Inclusion  Strategy  will  incorporate  a  youth  dimension,  as  announced  in  the 
Communication on the Social Agenda12 and will take into account the Council Resolution on 
the social integration of young people13. This is likely to result in a high priority being given 
to improving the situation of the most vulnerable young people, to eradicating child poverty, 
and  to  initiatives  to  prevent  educational  failure.  A  study  on  the  social  integration  of  highly 
disadvantaged  young  people  will  focus  on  integration  in  the  labour  market,  autonomy  and 
active participation in society.  

The Commission welcomes and encourages the social partners’ commitment to contribute to 
this initiative through joint actions within the social dialogue14. 

Actions in employment and social inclusion  

(cid:190)  Member States take action for promoting the employment of young people, e.g. 

in order to: 

- reduce youth unemployment 

- build employment pathways 

-  develop  personalised  action  plans,  with  job  search  assistance,  guidance  and 
training 

(cid:190)  Commission  &  Member  States  make  young  people  a  priority  in  the  mutual 

learning programme on employment in 2005 

(cid:190)  Using  the  Social  Inclusion  Strategy,  Commission  &  Member  States  improve 

the situation of the most vulnerable young people 

(cid:190)  Commission to launch study on the social integration of highly disadvantaged 

young people in 2005  

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14 

Directive 2000/78/EC of 27.11.2004, OJ L303, 2.12.2000.  
COM(2005)33. 
Council Resolution 9601/04 of 28.5.2004. 
Contribution from ETUC, CEEP, UNICE/UEAPME of 22.3.2005. 

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2.2.2.  Measures for education, training and mobility 

The  proposed  Integrated  Guidelines  underline  the  need  for  Europe  to  expand  and  improve 
investment in human capital, and to adapt education and training systems to new competence 
requirements.  Priority  is  given,  inter  alia,  to  reducing  the  number  of  early  school  leavers; 
widening access to vocational, secondary and higher education, including apprenticeships and 
entrepreneurship  training;  and  working  towards  common  frameworks  that  will  make 
qualification systems more transparent, and validating non-formal and informal learning. 

These  are  all  priorities  of  the  Education  and  Training  2010  Work  Programme  which 
contributes to implementing the education and training aspects of the Lisbon partnership for 
growth and jobs, and which will feed into the new Lisbon governance cycle. The Guidelines 
stress  the  importance  of  using  the  agreed  European  instruments  and  references  to  support 
reforms of national education and training systems.  

As part of the 2010 work programme, peer learning activities in 2005 include areas relevant to 
young people: 

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achieving the benchmarks on early school leavers, completion rates and literacy; 

implementing the key competences framework at national level; 

achieving the benchmark on increasing numbers of graduates in maths, science and 
technology,  in  particular  reducing  the  gender  imbalance,  and  taking  account  of  the 
link with primary and secondary level education.  

A  Commission  proposal  in  2005  for  a  Recommendation  of  the  Council  and  the  European 
Parliament on key competences will emphasise their importance for young people with fewer 
opportunities.  

The Commission will propose a blueprint for a European Qualifications Framework in 2006 
with  the  aim  of  providing  a  common  reference  for  qualifications  systems  and  frameworks 
across  Europe,  It  will  be  linked  to  and  supported  by  credit  transfer  and  quality  assurance 
arrangements,  to  the  common  European  principles  for  identification  and  validation  of  non-
formal  and  informal  learning  and  to  Europass  (the  European  single  framework  for  the 
transparency of diplomas, certificates and competences).  

A specific tool for recognition of youth work will be developed, with a view to including a 
‘Youthpass’ in Europass. The test phase should start in 2006. 

Another  key  element  of  the  work  programme  is  to  improve  foreign  language  competence, 
which is both essential for and a result of more young Europeans taking part in the knowledge 
society and in European and global mobility. 

Given  that  economic  activity  is  increasingly  shifting  towards  processes  with  high  levels  of 
embedded  science  and  technology,  access  to  science  and  ICT  education  are  especially 
relevant for young people. 

The Commission will adopt a Communication on entrepreneurship education and learning in 
2005, stressing the link between entrepreneurial skills and basic life skills for young people. 
The  Commission’s  Entrepreneurship  Action  Plan  promotes  ‘Fuelling  entrepreneurial 
mindsets’ among young people.  

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Actions in education and training 

(cid:190)  Member States take action for young people, e.g. 

- reduce the number of early school leavers  

- improve access to vocational education and training, including apprenticeships and 

entrepreneurship training  

- develop frameworks to support transparency and recognition of qualifications and 

competences, and for validating non-formal and informal learning  

(cid:190)  Member States to implement Europass decision 

(cid:190)  Commission to adopt a Communication on entrepreneurship education in 2005 

(cid:190)  Commission to propose a European Qualifications Framework in 2006 

(cid:190)  Commission to adopt a Recommendation on key competences in 2006 

(cid:190)  Commission & Member States to develop ‘Youthpass’ from 2006 

The proposed Integrated Guidelines invite Member States to provide more transparency and 
information about employment and training opportunities, in order to make mobility easier, as 
part of the modernisation of employment services. The European Year of Worker Mobility in 
2006 will include special initiatives for young people entering the job market. From 2007 the 
follow-up to the Commission and Member States’ Action Plan for skills and mobility 2002-
2005 will focus more on improving the chances of young people on the labour market through 
increased  mobility.  Member  States  should  where  necessary  reinforce  their  strategies  for 
removing obstacles to mobility, as noted by the Commission Report15 on the follow-up to the 
Recommendation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  on  mobility  within  the 
Community of students, persons undergoing training, volunteers and teachers and trainers16. 

To further encourage mobility of young people within Europe, the Commission has proposed 
reinforced  programmes  targeting  young  people,  students  and  volunteers,  with  new  forms  of 
voluntary  activities,  to  broaden  and  facilitate  access  to  the  European  Voluntary  Service 
(EVS).  The  information  portals  EURES  (European  job  mobility  portal),  and  PLOTEUS 
(portal  for  learning  opportunities  in  Europe)  will  take  better  account  of  the  needs  of  young 
people,  and  a  Commission  study  will  produce  recommendations  for  extending  the  mobility 
card for young people in Europe. The Commission will promote exchange of good practice in 
mobility,  for  example,  the  French  ‘Jobs  d’été’  initiative,  which  may  be  extended  across 
Europe after an evaluation of the initial results.  

Actions promoting mobility 

(cid:190)  Member  States  are  invited  to  provide  more  transparency  and  information  to 

make it easier to work and study abroad 

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COM(2004) 21. 
OJ L 215, 9.8.2001. 

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(cid:190) 

European Year of Worker Mobility 2006 to include special actions for young 
people 

(cid:190)  Commission  to  develop  tools  such  as  EURES  and  PLOTEUS  to  improve 

possibilities for young people to work and study abroad 

(cid:190)  Commission  to  produce  in  2005  recommendations  on  a  mobility  card  for 

young people in Europe  

(cid:190) 

(cid:190) 

(cid:190) 

In 2006, Commission to study extension of the ‘Jobs d’été’ initiative  

In 2007, Commission & Member States to implement new forms of EVS 

From  2007,  actions  improving  the  geographical  and  occupational  mobility  of 
young people in the follow-up to Action Plan for skills and mobility  

2.2.3.  Measures for reconciliation of family life and working life 

The  Integrated  Guidelines  invite  Member  States  to  take  action  for  achieving  better 
reconciliation of family and working life. A better family and work balance can also help to 
tackle the problems associated with demographic ageing, and in particular the challenge of a 
low  birth  rate.  This  includes  the  provision  of  childcare  facilities,  as  well  as  care  for  other 
dependants. Particular attention will be paid to developing innovative, family-friendly forms 
of working arrangements. Reconciliation of work and private life is key in promoting gender 
equality for young women and men. 

Following  the  Green  Paper  on  Europe’s  changing  demographics,  the  Commission  has 
launched  a  consultation  with  the  aim  of  identifying  policies  to  be  pursued  or  reinforced,  at 
European and national level. 

Actions for reconciling family life and working life 

(cid:190)  Member  States  to  provide  more  accessible,  affordable  and  quality  childcare 

facilities and care for other dependants  

(cid:190)  Member  States,  supported  by  Commission,  to  develop  new  forms  of  work 

organisation, e.g. flexitime, tele-working, maternity, parental leave etc. 

(cid:190)  Commission  consultation  in  2005  on  the  impact  of  demographic  change  and 

possible policy responses 

3. 

THE ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP OF YOUNG PEOPLE  

The  focus  of  the  open  method  of  coordination  (OMC)  is  the  active  citizenship  of  young 
people. The White Paper on youth took note of the widening gap between young people and 
public  affairs.  To  improve  participation,  information,  voluntary  activities  and  knowledge  of 
youth issues, the Council adopted 14 common objectives in 2003 and 2004 (see Annex 3)17. 

17 

OJ C 295, 5.12.2003. 
Council Resolutions 13996/04 and 13997/04 of 15.11.2004. 

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In its Communication in October 200418, the Commission evaluated positively the activities 
carried out at European level, while stressing the need for suitable measures at national level 
to implement the common objectives.  

Member States are due to report on the common objectives for participation and information 
by the end of 2005. Reports on voluntary activities and better  knowledge  of  the youth field 
will  follow  in  2006.  In  each  case,  the  Commission  will  submit  a  progress  report  to  the 
Council.  

The  participation  and  information  of  young  people,  voluntary  activities  and  a  greater 
understanding  and  knowledge  of  youth  remain  key  in  building  healthy  societies.  Given  that 
the common objectives have only recently been adopted by the Council, their implementation 
by the Member States has just started and should be the focus of Member States action under 
the  Youth  OMC.  The  Commission  is  of  the  opinion  that  these  existing  priorities  should  be 
maintained and consolidated.  

Regarding participation, the emphasis should continue to be placed on increasing participation 
at the local level, within representative democracy, and providing greater support for learning 
to  participate.  Improving  access  to  information,  providing  more  quality  information  and 
increasing the participation of young people in preparing and disseminating information, have 
all to be reinforced.  

The political aim of strengthening youth volunteering in the EU as a means of participation 
and of personal development of young people remains valid. The contribution that volunteers 
make to society continues to be highlighted, as recent natural disasters, and the need for long-
term rehabilitation of the areas affected, have shown. 

As  a  result  of  the  Pact  and  its  follow-up  within  the  Lisbon  governance  cycle,  a  greater 
understanding  and  knowledge  of  youth  in  the  targeted  areas,  namely,  youth  employment, 
youth inclusion, youth entrepreneurship, youth mobility, recognition of youth work, should be 
achieved through the Lisbon mechanisms. Better use of the results of research in these areas 
should enhance evidence-based policies.  

Actions to strengthen active citizenship of young people 

(cid:190)  Commission  confirms  priorities  of  active  citizenship  of  young  people 

(participation, information, voluntary activities)  

(cid:190)  Better  knowledge  in  areas  of  youth  employment,  inclusion,  entrepreneurship, 
mobility  and  recognition  of  youth  work,  resulting  from  the  inclusion  of  the 
Pact in the Lisbon governance cycle 

4. 

INCLUDING THE YOUTH DIMENSION IN OTHER POLICIES  

While  youth-related  issues  are  relevant  for  the  majority  of  policies  developed  at  European 
level, the Commission recommends concentrating on the policy areas of the European Youth 
Pact. 

18 

COM(2004)694. 

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Other policies with relevance to young people include the following: 

The Commission will also continue its actions against racism and xenophobia at youth level. 
The  EU-wide  campaign  ‘For  Diversity  –  Against  Discrimination’19  has  been  extended  to 
young  people  from  2005,  promoting  the  active  involvement  of  young  people  and  raising 
awareness about EC legislation and policies for tackling discrimination. 

The  Commission  will  also  pay  attention  to  the  health  of  young  people,  for  example  in  the 
areas  of  nutrition  and  obesity,  alcohol  and  drugs  use,  and  strategies  for  promoting  good 
health. A European initiative on the health of children and young people is planned for 2006.  

Specific  research  on  youth  will  be  undertaken  under  the  Sixth  Research  Framework 
Programme, on the attitudes, lifestyles and forms of participation adopted by European youth. 
Under  the  Seventh  Research  Framework  Programme  youth  research  could  focus  on  the 
impact  of  young  people’s  participation  in  representative  democracy  and  in  voluntary 
activities. 

The  Commission  will  launch  a  public  consultation  on  possible  actions  the  Union  could 
undertake  in  the  area  of  sport,  regarding  the  educational  and  social  values  of  sport,  and  the 
lifestyle of young people. 

Actions that emphasise youth in other policy areas 

(cid:190)  Commission  to  promote  involvement  of  young  people  in  ‘For  Diversity  – 

against Discrimination’ campaign from 2005 

(cid:190)  Commission to launch a European initiative in 2006 to promote good health for 

young people and children 

(cid:190)  Commission  to  launch  a  public  consultation  on  sport  in  2005,  with  a  view  to 

reinforcing its educational and social values for young people 

5. 

SUPPORTING POLICY THROUGH PROGRAMMES 

Policy actions targeting young people should also be accompanied by programmes supporting 
projects that encourage young people to become active, involved citizens and that are aimed 
at helping them develop their capacities. Such projects should be developed at local, regional, 
national and European level.  

A number of European programmes promote such projects (see Annex 4):  

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19 

European Social Fund  

European Regional Development Fund 

Rural Development Funds 

Five-year  pan-European  information  campaign  supported  by  the  Commission  Action  Programme  to 
Combat Discrimination. www.stop-discrimination.info 

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Youth and Youth in Action  

Integrated Lifelong Learning  

Citizens for Europe  

Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme 

Marie Curie Programme  

European Science Education initiative  

6. 

INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE 

The  White  Paper  on  youth  sets  out  a  method  of  consulting  young  people,  with  the  aim  of 
underpinning the participation of young people and their organisations.  

The European Council underlined that, to be successful, the Pact requires the involvement of 
all actors, first and foremost, of youth organisations, as well as regional and local authorities 
and  the  social  partners.  Young  people  and  their  organisations  should  be  consulted  on  the 
development  of  measures  for  this  initiative  within  the  national  Lisbon  reform  programmes, 
and on following up implementation. While it is up to each Member State to define how to 
involve young people, national youth councils should be among those consulted. 

The Commission also intends to organise a consultation of young people, and of the European 
Youth  Forum,  on  youth  policy.  This  consultation  will  culminate  in  the  Youth  ‘Etats 
généraux’, to be held in 2005. In preparation, the Commission will organise a wide-ranging 
Internet  consultation  of  young  people  and  will  invite  Member  States  to  hold  debates  at 
national level. The Commission intends to follow up the Etats généraux by holding an ‘annual 
encounter’ between young people and Commissioners.  

This  direct  dialogue  with  young  people  is  not  a  substitute  for  the  social  dialogue,  but  is  a 
valuable complement. It would be articulated with other Commission consultation initiatives 
aimed notably at developing ‘ownership’ of the Lisbon goals by civil society. 

Actions for consulting young people 

(cid:190)  Member  States  to  consult  young  people  on  measures  for  the  Pact  by  autumn 

2005 

(cid:190)  Commission to organise Internet consultation of young people in 2005 

(cid:190)  Commission to hold Youth ‘Etats généraux’ in 2005 and follow up with annual 

encounters with young people  

7. 

CONCLUSIONS  

Adoption  of  the  European  Pact  for  Youth  has  complemented  the  development  of  the  active 
citizenship  of  young  people  through  the  OMC  in  the  youth  field,  by  taking  on  board  the 
concerns of youth within the policies that support the Lisbon partnership for growth and jobs. 

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For the first time, the European Union can employ a truly integrated policy approach to young 
people. In order to put the streamlining policy approach into practice: 

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At  national  level,  Member  States,  in  consultation  with  young  people,  should 
develop measures for the Pact within the national Lisbon reform programmes. 

At  European  level,  the  Commission  will,  in  accordance  with  the  forthcoming 
Community  Lisbon  Programme,  take  action  in  the  areas  specified  in  this 
Communication. 

The  Commission  considers  that  the  priorities  of  the  OMC  in  the  youth  field 
should be confirmed and consolidated. 

The Commission will continue to include a youth dimension in other relevant 
policies. 

The  Commission  underlines  the  importance  of  the  programmes  that  facilitate 
lifelong  learning,  mobility,  entrepreneurship  and  citizenship  of  young  people, 
within the framework of the financial perspectives. 

The consultation and involvement of young people and youth organisations are 
essential for implementing all the measures presented in this Communication. 

The  Commission  calls  on  the  Council  to  endorse  these  conclusions.  It  will  transmit  this 
Communication  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the 
Committee of the Regions. 

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ANNEXES  

Communication from the Commission to the Council 

on European policies concerning youth 

Addressing the concerns of young people in Europe –  
implementing the European Youth Pact and promoting active citizenship 

Annex 1 

The European Youth Pact  

Annex 2 

Extracts  from  the  Commission  proposal  for  integrated  guidelines  2005-2008  reflecting 
European Council action lines for the European Youth Pact 

Annex 3 

Common objectives in the framework of the open method of coordination in the youth field 

Annex 4 

Community programmes relevant to youth policy  

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European Youth Pact 

ANNEX 1 

(Annex 1 of Presidency Conclusions of the European Council, Brussels, 22 and 23.3.2005 
(7619/05)) 

Against the background of Europe's ageing population, the European Council sees a need for 
young Europeans to benefit from a set of policies and measures forming a fully integrated part 
of  the  Lisbon  Strategy.  The  Youth  Pact  aims  to  improve  the  education,  training,  mobility, 
vocational  integration  and  social  inclusion  of  young  Europeans,  while  facilitating  the 
reconciliation of working life and family life. The Pact should ensure the overall consistency 
of initiatives in these areas and provide the starting point for strong, ongoing mobilisation on 
behalf of young people. Its success depends on the involvement of all parties concerned, first 
and foremost national, regional and local youth organisations as well as the European Youth 
Forum, regional and local authorities and the social partners. 

The  European  Council  calls  on  the  Union  and  Member  States,  each  within  the  limits  of  its 
own powers and in particular under the European employment strategy and under the social 
inclusion strategy, to draw upon the following lines of action: 

Employment, integration and social advancement 

•  specifically  monitoring  policies  for  the  sustained  integration  of  young  people  into  the 

labour market, in the context of the mutual learning programme on employment; 

•  endeavouring to increase employment of young people; 

•  giving priority under national social inclusion policy to improving the situation of the most 
vulnerable  young  people,  particularly  those  in  poverty,  and  to  initiatives  to  prevent 
educational failure; 

•  inviting employers and businesses to display social responsibility in the area of vocational 

integration of young people; 

•  encouraging  young  people  to  develop  entrepreneurship  and  promoting  the  emergence  of 

young entrepreneurs. 

Education, training and mobility 

•  ensuring  that  knowledge  matches  the  needs  of  a  knowledge-based  economy  and,  to  this 
end,  encouraging  the  development  of  a  common  set  of  core  skills;  in  this  context, 
concentrating primarily on the problem of drop-outs from the school system; 

•  expanding the scope for students to undertake a period of study in another Member State; 

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•  encouraging mobility of young people by removing obstacles for trainees, volunteers and 
workers  and  for  their  families;  for  researchers,  stepping  up  ongoing  initiatives  under  the 
Marie Curie programme; 

•  developing, between Member States, closer cooperation on transparency and comparability 

of occupational qualifications and recognition of non-formal and informal education. 

Reconciliation of working life and family life 

•  promoting  the  reconciliation  of  working  life  and  family  life  by  sharing  the  responsibility 
between  partners,  particularly  by  expanding  the  child  care  network  and  developing 
innovative forms of work organisation; 

•  considering  child-friendly  policies,  in  the  light  of  discussions  on  the  Commission  Green 

Paper on demographic change. 

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ANNEX 2 

Extracts from the Commission proposal for integrated guidelines 2005-2008 reflecting 
European Council action lines for the European Youth Pact 

(From Commission Communication on the Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs  
(2005-2008), COM(2005) 141, 12.4.2005) 

Microeconomic reforms 

Guideline  -  Promote  a  more  entrepreneurial  culture  &  create  a  supportive  environment  for 
SMEs  

•  Member States should reinforce entrepreneurship education and training 

Guideline – Increase and improve investment in R&D  

•  Member  States  should  further  develop  the  mix  of  measures  to  foster  business  R&D 
through, amongst others, ensuring a sufficient supply of qualified researchers by attracting 
more  students  into  scientific,  technical  and  engineering  disciplines  and  enhancing  the 
career development and the transnational and intersectoral mobility of researchers  

Employment guidelines 

Attract  and  retain  more  people  in  employment  and  modernise  social  protection 

1 
systems 

Guideline – Promote a lifecycle approach to work 

•  Renewed endeavour to build employment pathways for young people 
•  Reduce youth employment 
•  Eliminate gender gaps in employment, unemployment and pay 
•  Better reconciliation between work and private life 
•  Provision of childcare facilities 

Guideline - Ensure inclusive labour markets for job-seekers and disadvantaged people 

•  Early identification of needs 
•  Job search assistance, guidance and training as part of personalised action plans 
•  Provision of social services necessary to support labour market inclusion of disadvantaged 

people  

Guideline - Improve matching of labour market needs through  

•  Modernisation  and  strengthening  of  labour  market  institutions,  notably  of  employment 

services 

•  Greater  transparency  of  employment  and  training  opportunities  at  national  and  European 

level to facilitate mobility across Europe 

Improve  adaptability  of  workers  and  enterprises  and  the  flexibility  of  labour 

2. 
markets 

Guideline – Ensure employment-friendly wage and other labour cost developments  

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•  Reviewing  the  structure  and  level  of  non-wage  labour  costs  and  their  impact  on 
employment,  especially  for  the  low-paid  and  those  entering  for  the  first  time  the  labour 
market 

3. 

Increase investment in human capital through better education and skills 

Guideline - Expand and improve investment in human capital 

•  Significantly reduce the number of pupils leaving school early 
•  Increased  access  to  initial  vocational,  secondary  and  higher  education  including 

apprenticeships and entrepreneurship training 

Guideline  -  Adapt  education  and  training  systems  in  response  to  new  competence 
requirements 

•  Better identification of occupational needs and key competences, and anticipation of future 

skill requirements 

•  Broadening the supply of education and training tools 
•  Developing  frameworks  to  support  the  transparency  of  qualifications,  their  effective 

recognition and the validation of non-formal and informal learning 

•  Ensuring the attractiveness, openness and high quality standards of education and training 

systems 

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14 OBJECTIVES FOR YOUTH COMMITMENT 

(From Council Resolutions of 25.11.2003 and 15.11.2004) 

ANNEX 3 

Participation20 

To develop participation by young people, by introducing and supporting action to encourage 
them  to  exercise  their  citizenship  actively  and  by  enhancing  their  effective  participation  in 
democratic life:  

1. 

2. 

Increase the participation by young people in the civic life of their community 

Increase  participation  by  young  people  in  the  system  of  representative 
democracy 

3.  Greater support for various forms of learning to participate 

Information21 

To  develop  information  for  young  people,  by  improving  access  for  young  people  to 
information in order to increase their participation in public life and facilitate the realisation 
of their potential as active, responsible citizens:  

4. 

5. 

6. 

Improve access for young people to information services 

Increase provision of quality information 

Increase  participation  by  young  people  in  youth  information,  for  example,  in 
the preparation and dissemination of information 

Voluntary activities of young people22 

With  a  view  to  enhancing  active  citizenship  and  solidarity  of  young  people,  voluntary 
activities should be developed, facilitated, promoted and recognised at all levels: 

7. 

Encourage  the  development  of  voluntary  activities  of  young  people  with  the 
aim of enhancing awareness of the existing possibilities, enlarging their scope 
and improving their quality 

8.  Make it easier for young people to carry out voluntary activities by removing 

existing obstacles 

20 

21 
22 

Council Resolution of 25.11.2003 on common objectives for participation by and information for young 
people (OJ C 295, 5.12.2003). 
Ditto. 
Council  Resolution  of  15.11.2004  on  common  objectives  for  voluntary  activities  for  young  people 
(13996/04 JEUN 89). 

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9. 

Promote  voluntary  activities  with  a  view  to  reinforcing  young  people’s 
solidarity and engagement as responsible citizens 

10.  Recognise voluntary activities of young people with a view to acknowledging 
the value of their personal skills thus acquired and their engagement for society 
and the role that voluntary activities play in terms of facilitating the transition 
from education to work and adult life 

Greater understanding and knowledge of youth23 

For  timely,  efficient  and  sustainable  policy  making,  it  is  important  to  encourage  the 
development  of  a  coherent,  relevant  and  qualitative  knowledge  area  in  the  youth  field  in 
Europe and to anticipate future needs, through exchange, dialogue and networks: 

11. 

12. 

Identify – including at local and regional level – existing knowledge in priority 
areas  of  the  youth  field  namely,  participation,  information  and  voluntary 
activities and implement measures to supplement, update and facilitate access 
to it 

In  a  second  stage  identify  –  including  at  local  and  regional  level  –  existing 
knowledge  in  further  priority  areas  of  interest  to  the  youth  field  such  as 
autonomy,  non-formal  learning,  the  fight  against  discrimination,  education  & 
training, employment, entrepreneurship, creativity, transition from education to 
employment,  social  inclusion  and  health,  and  implement  measures  to 
supplement, update and facilitate access to it  

13.  Ensure quality, comparability and relevance of knowledge in the youth field by 

using appropriate methods and tools 

14.  Facilitate and promote exchange, dialogue and networks to ensure visibility of 

knowledge in the youth field and anticipate future needs. 

23 

Council Resolution of 15.11.2004 on common objectives for a greater understanding and knowledge of 
youth (13997/04 JEUN 90). 

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ANNEX 4 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES RELEVANT TO YOUTH POLICY 

The European Social Fund supports projects targeting young people, in the areas of 
employment, training and social inclusion. 

The community programmes financed by the European Regional Development Fund 
cover  fields  of  development  in  which  projects  intended  for  young  people  can  be 
supported, for example, education and training, university research, entrepreneurship, 
health, culture, urban regeneration. 

Under  the  Rural  Development  Regulation  (EC)  N°  1257/1999  young  farmers  can 
benefit  from  several  measures:  support  for  the  initial  setting-up  of  their  business, 
increased  aid  rates  for  further  investments  in  their  agricultural  holdings  and  the 
acquisition  of  the  necessary  skills  and  know-how  through  the  training  measure. 
These  tools  are  also  included  in  the  proposal  for  a  Council  regulation  on  rural 
development for the next programming period (COM (2004) 490 final). 

The  Youth  and  proposed  Youth  in  Action  programme  will  contribute  both  to  the 
Pact, 
learning  and  youth 
regarding  mobility,  non-formal 
entrepreneurship, and to the active citizenship of young people.  

in  particular 

The  Integrated  Lifelong  Learning  Programme  has  set  ambitious  new  targets  for 
participation  in  European  education  and  training  programmes  (Comenius,  Erasmus, 
Leonardo da Vinci), and thus is a major instrument for implementing the Pact. 

The  Citizens  in  Europe  programme  will  give  citizens,  including  young  people,  the 
opportunity to interact and experience cultural diversity, forging a European identity, 
and improving mutual understanding. 

The  Competitiveness  and  Innovation  Framework  Programme  will  promote  youth 
entrepreneurship. 

The Marie Curie Programme and the underlying integrated policy to make European 
more  attractive  to  researchers  support  initiatives  for  training,  mobility  and  career 
development  of  researchers,  including  at  the  early  stage  of  their  careers,  and 
encourage  interest  among  young  people  in  science  and  technology  as  well  as  in  a 
career in research.  

The European Science Education Initiative seeks to stimulate young people’s interest 
in science at the primary and secondary level by helping teachers to access and use 
best practice, science demonstrations and learning objects.  

The  Commission  supports  activities  specifically  aimed  at  the  inclusion  of 
disadvantaged  groups  –  including  young  people  with  a  handicap,  different  ethnic 
groups, young women, and young people from disadvantaged or outlying and remote 
regions – in the processes that lead to careers in science. 

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– 

The  revised  Sustainable  Development  Strategy  will  pay  attention  to  education  for 
sustainable development. 

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