C 100/4
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
16.3.2023
1.7.
The EESC commits to establish a permanent group within the EESC to have transparent and cross-sectional coordination mechanisms to mainstream youth perspectives in the EESC’s work and to further explore and consider possible ways to apply the EU Youth Test concept in its work to develop a consistent approach on youth involvement in the EESC.
1.7.1.
Furthermore, the EESC calls for the creation of a structure representing and/or involving youth organisations in all EU institutions and/or possibly a stakeholder platform like the European Circular Economy Stakeholders Platform (ECESP) which would be in the remit of the EESC.
In addition, since the EU Youth Dialogue is the most substantial participatory process of Europe involving decision-makers and young people discussing issues and coming up with solutions together, further steps could be taken to strengthen this participatory mechanism, for example, introducing the co-management structure (13) which would also be led by the EESC.
1.8.
The EESC urges stronger youth engagement in decision-making processes, from drafting legislative proposals and initiatives through to implementation, monitoring and follow-up.
This approach has been used since 2021 at the EU delegation to the UNFCC COP meetings, where the delegation has at least one young delegate.
The EESC strongly recommends that other EU delegations adopt a similar approach and take into account the intergenerational perspective.
1.9.
To strengthen the EESC’s own role in bridging the gap between policymakers and youth organisations and young people at both national and European levels, it is recommended, firstly, to establish a transparent, structured and meaningful youth participatory mechanism to effectively coordinate legislative work, for instance, a youth panel.
Secondly, to engage with and involve young people and youth organisations within its work.
Additionally, coordination and exchange of good practices on youth engagement at all levels and across all Member States and more targeted outreach activities should be implemented.
In particular, strengthening relations with national youth organisations and bringing local youth projects into focus within the EESC and among the members.
1.10.
Furthermore, taking into account the current turbulent geopolitical context, it is crucial to secure youth engagement in sustainability, security and peace building.
The EESC welcomes the recently adopted Youth Action Plan in EU External Action and is going to adopt an own-initiative opinion on it in 2023.
Additionally, the EESC invites the EU to further support the Western Balkans in improving youth participation, taking into account the positive correlation of educational or training mobility with the civic and political engagement of young people.
The same principle should be taken into account in the relationship with Ukraine and Georgia.
The EESC insists on strengthening the cooperation on youth policies with candidate status countries.
1.11.
The EESC will strive to systematically take into account the voice of young people in its opinions, including own-initiative opinions and exploratory opinions adopted at the request of the rotating presidencies or other European institutions.
The EESC will, thanks to its excellent relationship with them, do its best to convince them that these requests should cover aspects pertaining to young people.
2.
The focus for upcoming years: to build a better future — greener, more inclusive and digital — together 2.1.
The EESC emphasises the importance of increasing the knowledge and the information levels of young people on European institutions, functioning mechanisms, fields of action, concrete examples from everyday activities and opportunities for personal and professional development among youth.
The number of European experience exchange and training programmes (Erasmus+, Discover EU etc.) should be increased both locally and externally, as well as programmes under co-supervision with other educational institutions in the country and abroad.
The EESC will promote and encourage the EESC members to organise going local initiatives focusing on youth.
(13)
Co-management system of the Council of Europe.