Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - An EU Strategy for Youth : Investing and Empowering - A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities {SEC(2009) 545} {SEC(2009) 546} {SEC(2009) 548} {SEC(2009) 549}
Date: 2009-04-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, action programme, coordination of EMU policies, economic recession, employment policy, vocational training, young person, youth policy

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 27.4.2009 
COM(2009) 200 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

An EU Strategy for Youth – Investing and Empowering 
A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities 

{SEC(2009) 545} 
{SEC(2009) 546} 
{SEC(2009) 548} 
{SEC(2009) 549} 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

"Europe's future depends on its youth1. Yet, life chances of many young people are blighted". 
This  is  a  conclusion  of  the  Commission  Communication  on  the  'Renewed  Social  Agenda'2 
which seeks to create more opportunities for EU citizens, improve access to opportunities for 
all and demonstrate solidarity.  

Youth are a priority of the European Union's social vision, and the current crisis compounds 
the  need  to  nurture  young  human  capital.  This  communication  responds  by  setting  out  a 
strategy  for  the  future  of  policies  for  youth  in  Europe.  It  proposes  a  new,  stronger  Open 
Method of Coordination (OMC) that is flexible and simplified in its reporting and reinforces 
links with policy areas covered by the European Youth Pact in the Lisbon Strategy for Jobs 
and  Growth.  Adopting  a  cross-sectoral  approach,  it  embeds  short-term  responses  in  a  long-
term  effort  to  empower  young  people.  The  strategy  would  create  favourable  conditions  for 
youth  to  develop  their  skills,  fulfil  their  potential,  work,  actively  participate  in  society,  and 
engage  more  in  the  building  of  the  EU  project.  Young  people  are  not  a  burdensome 
responsibility  but  a  critical  resource  to  society  which  can  be  mobilised  to  achieve  higher 
social goals. 

2. 

TODAY'S YOUTH CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 

Europeans are living longer, having children later and there are fewer young people. The 15-
29 age  group  is projected to represent 15.3  % of Europe's population in 2050, whereas it is 
currently 19.3%3. These demographic changes affect families, intergenerational solidarity and 
economic  growth.  Globalisation  can  bring  growth  and  jobs,  but  it  can  also  bring  about 
specific  challenges  for  vulnerable  workers  such  as  youth,  as  demonstrated  by  the  crisis4. 
Climate change and energy security issues call for adjustments in the behaviour and lifestyles 
of  coming  generations.  Key  competences  flexible  enough  to  develop  appropriate  skills 
throughout one's life are vital, and early school leaving is still a key issue. 

Young people value friendship, respect, tolerance and solidarity and this generation is perhaps 
the highest-educated, technically-advanced, and most mobile ever. However, like the rest of 
society,  they  face  greater  individualism  and  competitive  pressures  and  do  not  necessarily 
share the same opportunities. 

Through  extensive consultation across Europe5, the following specific challenges have been 
identified  as  topping  the  list  of  young  people's  concerns:  education,  employment,  social 
inclusion, and health. Europe's youth need to be equipped to take advantage of opportunities 
such as civic and political participation, volunteering, creativity, entrepreneurship, sport and 
global engagement. 

1 

2 
3 
4 
5 

Meaning broadly speaking teenagers and young adults from 13 to 30 years old. For statistical purposes, 
the same range has not always been used throughout the text. 
COM (2008) 412 
Source: Eurostat 
COM (2009) 34 
See accompanying Impact Assessment and reports on consultation 

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Difficulties in education, employment, inclusion and health, further combined to problems in 
finance,  housing  or  transport,  make  it  difficult  for  young  people  to  achieve  autonomy,  a 
situation  where  they  have  the  resources  and  opportunities  to  manage  their  own  lives,  fully 
participate in society and decide independently. 

3. 

THE NEED FOR A NEW FRAMEWORK  

3.1. 

EU Cooperation  

Youth  cooperation  is  a  well  structured  and  developed  EU  policy  field.  EU  programmes  for 
youth have been implemented since 1988. The policy process was developed with the 2001 
White Paper6 and is currently based on three pillars: 

–  Active  citizenship  of  young  people  via  the  OMC  with  four  priorities  (participation, 
information,  volunteering  and  better  knowledge  of  young  people),  common  objectives, 
Member States reports and structured dialogue with youth; 

–  Social  and  occupational  integration  through  the  implementation  of  the  European  Youth 
Pact7  under  the  Lisbon  Strategy,  with  three  priorities  (employment/social  inclusion, 
life).  The  Commission 
education/training, 
Communication  "Promoting  young  people's  full  participation  in  education,  employment 
and society"8 went further in proposing additional actions; 

reconciliation  of  work  and  private 

–  Youth mainstreaming in other policies (such as anti-discrimination, health). 

3.2. 

Evaluating Youth Policies 

Member  States  were  consulted  on  the  current  framework  and  possible  future  actions.  The 
European  Parliament  conducted  a  hearing  on  youth  in  February  2009.  As  part  of  structured 
dialogue,  there  were  debates  with  thousands  of  youth  all  over  Europe.  Meetings  with  the 
European  Youth  Forum  as  well  as  National  Youth  Councils  were  organised.  An  on-line 
consultation  generated  over  5000  answers.  Researchers  and  Youth-in-Action  programme 
managers also gave their views. 

Overall, the OMC is viewed as  an appropriate tool for cooperation, and its priorities as still 
relevant. The framework inspired youth-related legislation or strategies at national level. More 
countries involve youth organisations in their policy-making. The European Youth Pact raised 
the  profile  of  youth  within  the  Lisbon  Strategy,  particularly  with  regards  to  education  and 
employment, and progress was achieved in anti-discrimination and health. 

However, the framework – set to expire in 2009 – has not always proved its  efficiency and 
capacity to deliver. It is not coordinated enough to tackle all challenges. There is consensus 
for  a  reinforced  cross-cutting  approach,  as  requested  by  the  European  Parliament  in  a  2008 
Declaration on Youth Empowerment. Structured dialogue should also be better organised and 
facilitate greater outreach to unorganised youth, particularly those with fewer opportunities. 

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COM (2001) 681 
Presidency Conclusions of the European Council, March 2005 (7619/05) 
COM (2007) 498 

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4. 

YOUTH – INVESTING AND EMPOWERING 

4.1. 

The EU’s Vision for Young People  

Young  people  should  make  the  best  of  their  potential.  This  vision  is  addressed  to  all,  but 
actions should focus on those with fewer opportunities. It is based on a dual approach: 

–  Investing in Youth: putting in place greater resources to develop policy areas that affect 

young people in their daily life and improve their well being. 

–  Empowering Youth: promoting the potential of young people for the renewal of society 

and to contribute to EU values and goals. 

Greater  collaboration  between  youth  policies  and  other  policy  areas  such  as  education, 
employment,  inclusion  and  health  will  be  developed,  with  youth  activities  and  youth  work 
playing  a  supporting  role.  The  renewed  OMC  in  Youth  will  encourage  'joined-up'  policy 
making  by  'feeding  in'  the  other  processes  of  policy  coordination  with  its  specific  expertise 
and by providing young people with an opportunity to have a say and make their voices heard. 
The  EU's  contribution  is  to  help  Member  States,  who  are  responsible  for  youth  policies, 
cooperate better. 

4.2. 

A Long-term Strategy for Youth with Short-term Priorities  

Based  on  the  current  knowledge  of  the  situation  of  youth9,  a  new  strategy  is  proposed  with 
three overarching and interconnected goals that closely link to those of the Renewed Social 
Agenda:  

–  Creating more Opportunities for Youth in education and employment 

–  Improving Access and full participation of all young people in society 

–  Fostering mutual Solidarity between society and young people 

Under each goal, two to three 'fields of action' are proposed with objectives for the first three 
years,  2010-2012.  Inside  each  field  is  a  list  of  possible  specific  actions  which  can  be 
undertaken  by  Member  States  and/or  the  Commission.  The  challenges  and  opportunities 
facing youth of the day will be regularly assessed and prioritised every three years to ensure 
flexibility  and  to  ensure  that  the  fields  of  action  reflect  the  changing  needs  of  newer 
generations. Adjustments can also be made once the follow up to the EU Strategy for Growth 
and Jobs beyond 2010 is set.  

4.2.1.  Creating more Opportunities for Youth 

Field of Action 1 – Education 

Nearly 80 % of young people between 20 and 24 in Europe have completed upper secondary 
education. Nonetheless, a quarter of 15-year olds are low achievers in reading literacy10 and 6 

9 
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EU Youth Report 2009 
COM (2008) 425 

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million young people leave school without any qualifications. Greater mobility makes the EU 
an open space to develop youth talent and potential11 but still remains limited.  

The European Commission proposed a new Education OMC12 addressing the following long-
term strategic challenges: Lifelong Learning and Mobility, Quality and Efficiency, Equity and 
Citizenship, Innovation and Creativity, as well as a new approach for matching labour market 
needs and skills for the 21st century13. Enhancing formal education is a key priority, but skills 
can be acquired outside the classroom through youth work and the use of new technologies. 

Objective 

Complementary to formal education, non-formal education for young people should be 
supported  to  contribute  to  Lifelong  Learning  in  Europe,  by  developing  its  quality, 
recognising its outcomes, and integrating it better with formal education 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence  

–  Develop  non-formal  learning  opportunities  as  one  of  a  range  of  actions  to  address  early 

school leaving 

–  Fully  use  the  range  of  tools  established  at  EU  level  for  the  validation  of  skills  and  the 

recognition of qualifications14  

–  Promote learning mobility of all young people 

–  Encourage cooperation between education and youth policy makers  

–  Address gender stereotypes via formal and non-formal education systems 

–  Make available good quality guidance and counselling services for young people 

–  Develop  participative  structures  within  the  educational  system  as  well  as  cooperation 

between schools, families and local communities 

The Commission will further develop the self-assessment function of Europass, in particular 
for skills developed in non-formal settings and provide certificates such as Youthpass 

Field of Action 2 – Employment 

Young people's transition periods  from  education to employment have become significantly 
longer and complex. Unemployment among young people is on average at least twice as high 
as for the overall workforce; the current economic crisis puts further pressure on the labour 
market opportunities for the young. They frequently work in low-quality, temporary jobs and 
are  poorly  paid.  Youth  unemployment  is  often  a  result  of  lack  of  skills  or  skills  mismatch. 

11 
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14 

Such as Erasmus and Youth-in-Action programmes 
COM (2008) 865 
COM (2008) 868 
The former being ensured through tools such as Europass, EQF or ECVET, and the latter by Directive 
2005/36/EC. 

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Guidance and counselling systems on qualification pathways and future job opportunities are 
needed. 

Promoting labour market access and quality employment has been a key priority of the Lisbon 
Strategy  for  Growth  and  Jobs  and  the  European  Youth  Pact.  This  momentum  is  to  be 
maintained. The impact of the financial and economic crisis on labour markets adds urgency 
to  addressing.  youth  employment  for  both  the  short-  and  long-term.  The  free  movement  of 
labour, especially relevant for young people at the start of their careers, is a cornerstone of the 
Single Market.  

Objectives 

Employment  policy  action  in  Member  States  and  at  EU  level  should  be  coordinated 
across the four components of flexicurity in order to facilitate transitions from school to 
work  or  inactivity  or  unemployment  to  work.  Once  in  work,  young  people  should  be 
enabled to make upward transitions. 

Increase and improve investments in providing the right skills for those jobs in demand 
on the labour market, with a better matching in the short term and better anticipation 
in the longer term of the skills needed. 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence  

–  Ensure that youth employment remains a priority 

–  Promote  cross-border  professional  and  vocational  opportunities  for  young  people, 

including early familiarisation of young people to the world of work 

–  Develop youth work as a resource to support youth employability  

–  Encourage  cooperation  between  employment  and  youth  policy  makers  and  youth 

involvement in employment policy 

–  Ensure  that  the  EU  funds  available  for  promoting  youth  employment,  in  particular  the 

European Social Fund, are effectively used 

–  Develop  short-term  measures  in  their  recovery  plans  to  stimulate  youth  employment  as 

well as structural measures in favour of youth 

–  Develop career guidance and counselling services  

–  Lower barriers to the free movement of labour across the EU 

–  Promote quality internships within education and training and/or employment schemes 

–  Improve  childcare  so  as  to  help  reconciliation  between  professional  and  private  life  of 

young adults  

Field of Action 3 – Creativity and Entrepreneurship 

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Technology  offers  today's  'net-generation'  new  opportunities  for  learning,  creating  and 
participating,  while  it  also  brings  challenges  regarding  privacy,  internet  safety  and  media 
literacy. 

Encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation for young people is part of the Competitiveness 
and  Innovation  Framework  Programme  2007-2013  and  the  European  Reference  Framework 
on Key Competences – which includes culture. Creativity and innovation are also the themes 
for the 2009 European Year and one of the strategic challenges identified in the new OMC in 
education and training. 

Young people should be encouraged to think and act innovatively and young talent should be 
recognised. Culture stimulates creativity, and entrepreneurship education should be viewed as 
a  means  to  promote  economic  growth  and  new  jobs  as  well  as  a  source  of  skills,  civic 
participation, autonomy and self-esteem. 

Objective 

Talent development, creative skills, entrepreneurial mindsets and cultural expressions of 
young people should be encouraged amongst all youth 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence 

–  Further develop 'start up' funds and encourage recognition of junior enterprise 

–  Make  new  technologies  readily  available  to  empower  young  talent  and  attract  interest  in 

arts and science 

–  Promote contribution of youth work to the creativity and entrepreneurship of young people 

–  Widen access to creative tools, particularly those involving new technologies 

4.2.2. 

Improving Access and Full Participation of Young People in Society 

Field of Action 4 – Health and Sport 

The  EU  Health  Strategy  (2008-2013)  identifies  health  of  children  and  young  people  as  a 
priority  for  action,  and  has  been  confirmed  by  a  Council  Resolution15.  The  health  of  many 
young people is at risk because of stress, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, unprotected sex, 
tobacco,  alcohol  and  drug  abuse.  Broader  environmental  and  socio-economic  factors  also 
influence poor health which in turn can obstruct active participation. The specificity of youth 
in health issues thus needs to be tackled cross-sectorally. In addition to improving the physical 
health  and  psychological  well-being  of  young  citizens,  sport  has  an  educational  dimension 
and plays an important social role16. 

Objective 

Encourage healthy living for young people and physical education, sporting activity and 
collaboration  between  youth  workers,  health  professionals  and  sporting  organisations 

15 
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2008/C 319 
COM (2007) 391 

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with a focus on preventing and treating obesity, injury, addictions and substance abuse, 
and maintaining mental and sexual health 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence  

–  Implement  the  Council  Resolution  on  Health  and  Well-being  of  Young  People  and 

encourage youth fitness and sport by applying the EU Physical Activity Guidelines17 

–  Promote training opportunities on health for youth workers and youth leaders  

–  Encourage cooperation between health and youth policy makers, and youth involvement in 

health policy 

–  Mobilise all stakeholders at local level to detect and help young people at risk 

–  Develop tailor-made information on health for young people, particularly those at risk of 

social exclusion, and mobilise youth information networks 

–  Encourage peer-to-peer health education at school and in youth organisations 

Field of Action 5 – Participation 

Full participation of young people in civic and political life is an increasing challenge, in light 
of the gap between youth and the institutions.  Implementation of current common objectives 
for participation and information shows that there is still room for improvement, particularly 
regarding  support  of  youth  organisations,  participation  in  representative  democracy  or 
'learning  to  participate'.  Policy-makers  must  adapt  to  communicating  in  ways  receptive  to 
young  people  –  including  on  civic  and  European  issues  –  particularly  in  order  to  attract 
unorganised or disadvantaged youth. 

Objective 

Ensure  full  participation  of  youth  in  society,  by  increasing  youth  participation  in  the 
civic  life  of  local  communities  and  in  representative  democracy,  by  supporting  youth 
organisations  as  well  as  various  forms  of  'learning  to  participate',  by  encouraging 
participation  of  non-organised  young  people  and  by  providing  quality  information 
services 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence  

–  Develop quality standards on youth participation, information and consultation 

–  Further support politically and financially youth organisations, as well as national and local 

youth councils 

–  Promote e-democracy to reach out to more non-organised youth 

–  Further develop opportunities for debate between European/national institutions and young 

people 

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Recommended Policy Actions in Support of Health-Enhancing Physical Activity, 2008 

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The  Commission  will  revamp  the  European  Youth  Portal  and  promote  greater  outreach  to 
young people 

4.2.3.  Fostering Mutual Solidarity between Society and Young People 

Field of Action 6 – Social Inclusion 

Society  needs  to  show  solidarity  towards  youth,  particularly  those  who  are  disadvantaged. 
One-fifth  between  16  and  24  were  at  risk  of  poverty  in  2006.  Exclusion  may  be  caused  by 
unemployment,  disability, 
towards  migration, 
discrimination, physical and/or mental health, addictive behaviour, abuse, family violence and 
criminal record. It may also lead to radicalisation and violence.  

individuals'  attitudes 

societal  and 

Breaking  the  intergenerational  transmission  of  poverty  and  exclusion  features  high  on  the 
political agenda of the social OMC18. Addressing youth at risk of poverty and social exclusion 
involves  a  wide  range  of  policy  fields  and  requires  integrated  action.  In  this  context,  child, 
family and youth policies are closely linked and this Communication is complementary to the 
Commission Communication 'Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child'19. 

Objective 

Prevent  poverty  and  social  exclusion  among  disadvantaged  youth  groups  and  break 
their intergenerational transmission by mobilising all actors involved in the life of youth 
(parents,  teachers,  social  workers,  health  professionals,  youth  workers,  young  people 
themselves, police and justice, employers…) 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence  

–  Address  issues  related  to  teenagers  and  young  adults,  in  particular  those  with  fewer 

opportunities, in social protection and inclusion policies 

–  Optimise the use of EU Funds and experimental programmes to support social integration 

of young people 

–  Realise  the  full  potential  of  youth  work  and  youth  community  centres  as  means  of 

inclusion  

–  Develop intercultural awareness and competences for all young people 

–  Encourage youth involvement in inclusion policy and cooperation between policy makers 

–  Recognise challenges overcome by disadvantaged youth, including through special awards 

–  Address homelessness, housing and financial exclusion  

–  Promote access to quality services – e.g. transport, e-inclusion, health, social services 

–  Promote specific support for young families 

18 
19 

COM (2008) 418 - COM (2005) 706 
COM (2006) 367 

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Field of Action 7 – Volunteering 

Showing  solidarity  to  society  through  volunteering  is  important  for  young  people  and  is  a 
vehicle  for  personal  development,  learning  mobility,  competitiveness,  social  cohesion  and 
citizenship. Youth volunteering also contributes strongly to intergenerational solidarity. In its 
recent  Recommendation,  the  Council  has  called  for  the  removal  of  barriers  to  cross-border 
mobility for young volunteers20. 

Objective 

Support  youth  volunteering,  by  developing  more  voluntary  opportunities  for  young 
people,  making  it  easier  to  volunteer  by  removing  obstacles,  raising  awareness  on  the 
value  of  volunteering,  recognising  volunteering  as  an  important  form  of  non-formal 
education and reinforcing cross-border mobility of young volunteers 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence  

–  Enhance skills recognition through Europass and Youthpass 

–  Recognise contributions of youth organisations and non-structured forms of volunteering 

–  Reflect  on  ways  to  better  protect  rights  of  volunteers  and  assure  quality  in  volunteering, 
and associate young people and their organisations on the occasion of a possible European 
Year of Volunteering (2011) 

–  Develop national approaches on cross-border mobility of young volunteers 

–  Develop  national  approaches 

for  promoting 

intergenerational  solidarity 

through 

volunteering 

Field of Action 8 – Youth and the World 

Young Europeans are very concerned by global challenges, such as violation of fundamental 
rights,  economic  disparities,  and  environmental  degradation.  They  wish  to  demonstrate 
solidarity with the rest of the world by fighting discrimination, helping others and safekeeping 
the environment. 

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2008/C 319 

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Objective 

Mobilise  youth  in  global  policy-making  at  all  levels  (local,  national  and  international) 
using  existing  youth  networks  and  tools  (e.g.  structured  dialogue)  and  address  climate 
change and the UN Millennium Development Goals 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence  

–  Encourage  'green'  patterns  of  consumption  and  production  with  young  people  (e.g. 

recycling, energy conservation, hybrid vehicles etc.) 

–  Promote entrepreneurship and volunteering opportunities with regions outside of Europe 

–  Support the development of youth work on other continents 

–  Raise  awareness  on  fundamental  rights  and  development  issues  worldwide  with  young 

people 

4.3. 

A New Role for Youth Work 

Youth  work21  is  out-of-school  education  managed  by  professional  or  voluntary  'youth 
workers'  within  youth  organisations,  town  halls,  youth  centres,  churches  etc.,  which 
contributes  to  the  development  of  young  people.  Together  with  families  and  with  other 
professionals,  youth  work  can  help  deal  with  unemployment,  school  failure,  and  social 
exclusion, as well as provide leisure time. It can also increase skills and support the transition 
from youth to adulthood. Despite being 'non-formal', youth work needs to be professionalised 
further. Youth work contributes to all fields of action and their identified objectives. 

Objective 

Youth  work  should  be  supported,  recognised  for  its  economic  and  social  contribution, 
and professionalised 

Actions by Member States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence  

–  Equip  youth  workers  with  professional  skills  and  promote  their  validation  through  the 

appropriate European instruments (Europass, EQF, ECVET) 

–  Promote youth work through, inter alia, Structural Funds 

–  Develop mobility of youth workers as indicated in the EC Treaty 

–  Develop innovative services, pedagogies and practice of youth work 

The Commission will develop its analysis of the economic and social impact of youth work 

21 

Commonly-used term for work with young people - 'socioeducational instructors' is the legal term for 
'youth workers', as cited in Treaty Article 149(2) 

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5. 

DELIVERING THE VISION IN A NEW INTEGRATED COOPERATION FRAMEWORK 

5.1. 

A Cross-sectoral Approach 

The  range  of  issues  that  affect  youth  mandates  cross-sectoral  policy  approaches  at  EU  and 
national level. Youth policy cannot advance without effective coordination with other sectors. 
In turn, youth  policies can contribute to delivering results in areas such as  child and family 
policy, education, gender equality, employment, housing and healthcare. 

Member States should consider implementing at national level cross-sectoral policy-making. 
Cross-sectoral cooperation should also be developed with local and regional actors, which are 
crucial for implementing youth strategies. The Council could envisage setting up cooperation 
between  different  Council  formations  and  the  Commission  will  strengthen  its  internal 
coordination  through  inter-service  groups.  Attention  will  be  paid  not  to  duplicate  existing 
mechanisms. Improved knowledge-base and effective dissemination of best practice are also 
needed.  

5.2. 

Dialogue with Youth 

Structured  dialogue  monitors  the  implementation  of  the  Strategy  and  is  a  space  for  joint 
reflection on its priorities. As part of their national youth policies, Member States are invited 
to  organise  a  permanent  and  regular  dialogue  with  young  people.  With  the  cooperation  of 
Commission Representations, this dialogue could include EU themes. 

A working group with Member States and the European Youth Forum will be set up in 2010 
to  review  the  structured  dialogue  (involvement  of  local,  regional,  national  youth  councils, 
participation of unorganised young people, role of EU events, follow-up, etc.). Social partners 
and newly-emerging youth policy stakeholders (such as industry, foundations, charities, and 
youth media) will be involved when appropriate. 

A structured dialogue cycle with young people is proposed for every year. The themes for the 
next period will be co-determined with dialogue participants and could be:  

–  Youth Employment (2010) 

–  Youth and the World (2011) 

5.3. 

Peer-learning for Better Policy-Making  

Two  types  of  peer-learning  processes  between  Member  States  are  proposed:  'High-Level 
Seminars'  when  political  cooperation  is  essential,  and  'Clusters'  when  technical  expertise  is 
needed. Stakeholders should be involved in these peer-learning exercises. 

Proposals for the next period 

–  High-Level Seminar on Cross-sectoral Cooperation (2010) 

–  Cluster on Youth Work (2011) 

–  High-Level Seminar on Youth Volunteering (2011) 

–  Cluster on Youth Health (2012) 

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–  High-Level Seminar on Creativity (2012) 

5.4. 

Implementation 

Member  States  are  the  key  force  behind  this  Strategy's  implementation.  The  cross-sectoral 
approach  as  well  as  the  reinforcement  of  OMC  tools  should  be  of  much  help.  Kick-off 
meetings for the priorities should  be organised at national level  with stakeholders and other 
ministries.  Regional  and  local  authorities  should  also  be  involved.  The  coordination  and 
participation of relevant actors throughout the full policy cycle are essential. 

Meetings of the Directors-General for youth should have a key role in implementing the new 
cooperation framework. 

5.5. 

Evidence-based Policy-Making  

Better  knowledge  is  a  must  for  sound  policy.  Current  tools  (e.g.  Eurostat  data,  national 
reports,  European  Knowledge  Centre  for  Youth  Policy  (EKCYP),  EU  Research  Framework 
Programme) are a first step, as well as the triennial  report  on Youth in  Europe. There  is an 
equal need to share research results and for networking of researchers throughout Europe. The 
Commission proposes to: 

–  Consolidate EKCYP by completing the country profiles 

–  Review existing trends for the priorities through Eurydice 

–  Design a dashboard of existing indicators and benchmarks concerning youth in education, 

employment, inclusion and health 

–  Set up a Working Group to discuss possible 'descriptors' (light indicators) for the priorities 
of  participation,  volunteering,  creativity  and  youth  in  the  world,  as  well  as  for  NEETs 
(youngsters Not in Education, Employment or Training) 

–  Launch studies on: 

•  "Baby Bonds" - the use of funds held in trust to support youth autonomy later in 

life (2010) 

•  Social and Economic Impact of Youth Work (2011) 

•  Youth e-participation and Information Society (2012) 

–  Launch regular youth Euro-barometers 

–  Promote use of the EU Research Framework Programme for youth research and follow-up. 

5.6. 

Simplified Reporting 

Every  three  years,  a  joint  Council/Commission  report  on  the  implementation  of  the 
abovementioned priorities will be presented. This would be based on similar reporting by the 
Member States, accompanied by 'Youth in Figures', an EU overview of the situation of youth 
prepared  with  Member  States  and  youth  organisations.  The  Commission  recommends  that 
national reports be published. 

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5.7.  Mobilisation of EU Programmes and Funds 

The Youth-in-Action programme supports youth policy and its priorities, in particular cross-
border  mobility,  volunteering,  participation,  youth  work  and  political  cooperation  (e.g.  peer 
learning,  structured  dialogue,  studies,  Eurobarometers  and  better  knowledge  tools).  Other 
programmes and funds also offer many opportunities for all youth and should be made better 
known  to  them,  such  as  Culture,  Lifelong  Learning,  PROGRESS,  MEDIA,  Erasmus  for 
Young Entrepreneurs, Competitiveness & Innovation Programme and Structural Funds. 

5.8. 

Cooperation with other EU Institutions and International Organisations 

The European Parliament regularly contributes to youth policy. The Commission invites it to 
react  to  this  Communication  and  intends  to  keep  the  Parliament  up-to-date  on  its 
implementation.  The  Commission  also  intends  to  cooperate  with  the  Economic  and  Social 
Committee and the Committee of Regions in their respective fields. 

The Commission will continue cooperation with the Council of Europe on areas of common 
interest, such as youth participation, youth work and better knowledge of youth. 

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