The European Youth Forum is happy to announce that a jury, composed of international experts and representatives of both intergovernmental and independent organisations based in Europe, has finalised the first stage of the selection process for the European Youth Capital (EYC) 2014.

The three short-listed cities are: Thessaloniki (Greece), Heraklion (Greece), Ivanovo (Russia). The short-listed cities have been selected among a competitive call for applications. Competition was fierce. In the end, these cities were selected on the basis of their ambitious views on the ways in which the designation as European Youth Capital would not only provide a platform for one-year projects and initiatives but also would contribute to pursuing a model of urban development and democracy centered on issues of social inclusion and civic empowerment that is attentive to the needs and the aspirations of young people.

In a context of growing socio-economic uncertainty and emerging civil-society protagonism, the European Youth Capital initiative continues to represent a great opportunity for testing the potential for democratic revitalisation and civic empowerment associated with contemporary youth activism and associationalism. The number and the quality of youth-based organisations are key indicators of the vibrancy of city life and the possibility of attaining increasingly higher levels of substantive democracy and social justice in Europe. Being designated as European Youth Capital is a unique opportunity to attain these goals that are central to the future of our continent. In the coming weeks, we’ll know which European city will take the lead in facing this exciting and difficult challenge in 2014.