Council conclusions on strategic perspectives for European cooperation in the youth field post-2018
Date: 2017-06-15
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU programme, European cooperation, education policy, social integration, young person, youth employment, youth movement, youth policy








C_2017189EN.01003501.xml










15.6.2017   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 189/35





Council conclusions on strategic perspectives for European cooperation in the youth field post-2018
(2017/C 189/07)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
RECALLING:








1.


The political background to this issue as set out in Annex to these conclusions.




ACKNOWLEDGING THAT:








2.


The communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled ‘An EU strategy for youth — Investing and empowering. A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities’ (1) sought to establish a cross-sectoral approach to empower young people in Europe and give them the resources and opportunities to achieve autonomy.












3.


The Council resolution on ‘A renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018)’ (2), embodied the most comprehensive and ambitious EU youth strategy to date. The time-span of the framework coincided with the financial and economic crisis which, while negatively affecting all EU citizens and Member States to a greater or lesser extent, adversely and disproportionately impacted on young people, and on young people with fewer opportunities in particular, resulting in high levels of unemployment and increasing the risk of social dislocation, political alienation and even violent radicalisation and extremism that in turn challenged democratic values and social cohesion.












4.


As evident in the European Commission’s Youth Reports of 2012 and 2015 and the Joint Report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-18) (3), the framework has made an important and valuable contribution not only to cooperation in the youth field but to the lives, prospects, well-being, participation and inclusion of young people across the European Union.












5.


The EU Work Plans for Youth of 2014-2015 (4) and 2016-2018 (5) have strengthened and enhanced the instruments and processes for implementation of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field, aligning it more with the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy and addressing emerging challenges.




NOTES THAT:








6.


The operational time frame of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field will expire at the end of 2018 and the operational time frames of both Europe 2020, the European Union’s 10-year jobs and growth strategy, and the Erasmus+ programme will expire at the end of 2020.




UNDERLINES THAT:








7.


The promotion and safeguarding of the values of the European Union, as set out in Article 2 of the TEU (6), and the fostering of young people’s sense of European identity and trust in the European project through developing their competences and promoting their political participation, civic engagement, voluntary activities and learning mobility will continue to be fundamental in determining future European cooperation in the youth field.












8.


The role of youth work, non-formal and informal learning is of central importance to the youth field and contribute to the development of young people’s competences.




AGREES THAT:








9.


A new framework for European cooperation in the youth field, post-2018, emphasising a cross-sectoral approach with a clear added value at EU level and including possible EU Work Plans for Youth should be developed and supported whilst taking into account the evaluation results of the current framework.




INVITES THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION, WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPHERES OF COMPETENCE AND WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY TO:








10.


ensure that the development of the framework for future European cooperation in the youth field is evidence-based, informed and underpinned by broad-based and inclusive consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including young people, youth work providers (7), youth workers (both professional and voluntary) and policymakers at all levels so as to build consensus on, and commitment to, future youth policy aims and objectives;












11.


consider that the framework for future European cooperation in the youth field is cross-sectoral, flexible, responsive and transparent and take account of the rapidly changing political, social, cultural and economic circumstances of European and international levels;












12.


ensure that Erasmus+ and other programmes and instruments contribute, and where appropriate are aligned, to the implementation of the framework;












13.


put the main focus of the framework on the specific youth policy themes, which are in the competence of the structures responsible for youth but also further strengthen developments and initiatives in related policy fields so as to ensure cross-sectoral cooperation and reciprocal support;












14.


evaluate, review and renew the Structured Dialogue and its objectives with a view to facilitating innovative, meaningful and targeted constructive dialogue not only with young people from youth organisations but also those young people from diverse backgrounds, with fewer opportunities and non-organised youth;












15.


further consider the competences (knowledge, skills and attitudes) and values that young people need to sustain fulfilling personal, social and working lives and, in particular, to reach out to and include young people with fewer opportunities;












16.


have regard to the role that the internet, social media and digitalisation can play in promoting solidarity, political participation and active citizenship among young people and in combating political alienation, populism, propaganda and radicalisation that may lead to violent extremism;












17.


evaluate, further strengthen and develop where possible policy instruments, tools and methods and complementary collaborations like the partnership between EU-CoE in the youth field, with a view to maintain and enhance effective European cooperation in the youth field, post-2018.




CONSEQUENTLY AGREES TO:








18.


invite the future Presidencies to prepare a new draft framework for European cooperation in the youth field, post-2018, taking into account these conclusions as well as the forthcoming Commission initiative for an EU Youth Strategy — post-2018. This draft should be submitted to the Council with a view to its adoption.






(1)  9008/09.

(2)  OJ C 311, 19.12.2009, p. 1.

(3)  OJ C 417, 15.12.2015, p. 17.

(4)  OJ C 183, 14.6.2014, p. 5.

(5)  OJ C 417, 15.12.2015, p. 1.

(6)  OJ C 326, 26.10.2012, p. 17.

(7)  Youth work providers are understood as any organisations, agencies, and other bodies, both State-aided and voluntary, which provide youth work-based programmes, projects, initiatives and activities for young people.


ANNEX
POLITICAL BACKGROUND






1.


The Treaty on European Union (1).










2.


The renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018) that set out two overall strategic objectives and a dual approach to achieve them, employing specific initiatives in the youth field and mainstreaming initiatives under eight fields of action. The framework also provided for 3-year work cycles for which priorities were to be agreed and a Structured Dialogue with young people to inform the process.










3.


The Joint Report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2015) which evaluated the impact of the framework during the period 2013 to 2015.










4.


Europe 2020, the European Union’s 10-year jobs and growth strategy, that included the flagship initiatives ‘Youth on the move’ and ‘An agenda for new skills and jobs’.










5.


The Paris Declaration of 17 March 2015, which promoted citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education.










6.


The communication of the Commission on the European Agenda on Security of 28 April 2015 stating that youth participation has a key role to play in preventing violent radicalisation by promoting common European values, fostering social inclusion, enhancing mutual understanding and tolerance.










7.


The communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 10 June 2016 on ‘A New Skills Agenda for Europe — Working together to strengthen human capital, employability and competitiveness’.










8.


The Council Resolution of 15 December 2016 on ‘A New Skills Agenda for an Inclusive and Competitive Europe’.










9.


The communications from the European Commission of 7 December 2016 on ‘Investing in Europe’s Youth’, on ‘Improving and modernising education’ and on ‘A European Solidarity Corps’.










10.


White Paper on the Future of Europe — Reflections and scenarios for the EU-27 by 2025.






(1)  OJ C 326, 26.10.2012, p. 13.