Youth Policy is a cross-sector, horizontal and integrated policy aimed at young people, involving young people, and stemming from the needs of young people. Its aim is to improve and develop the living, learning and working conditions and participation of youth, encompassing the social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues affecting them and other groups in society. Youth policy should involve young people at the local, regional, national, European and global levels, and coordinate measures to serve the interests of youth and promote their participation to shape social, economic, cultural and environmental life. Young people must be at the heart of youth policy, not as clients, but as actors and contributors to this dynamic process.

As participation and youth policy mainstreaming are at the very core of the mission of the European Youth Forum, this overarching aim will be achieved in 2009-2010 through continuous work with relevant partners, especially in the context of the revision of the framework for cooperation in the field of youth of the EU in 2009, the follow up of the written declaration of the European Parliament on youth empowerment, the implementation of the CoE Agenda 2020, through a project on the implementation of a European policy framework on participation, and also through the implementation of the framework for the rights of volunteers and the preparations for 2011, in anticipation for what is expected to be the European Year of Volunteers.

Moreover, the YFJ will also remain strongly involved in the institutional processes to further advocate for a genuine youth agenda within the EU, for a rights-based approach to youth, and for the recognition of youth participation.

more