Over the years, we have, unfortunately, witnessed a crackdown against civil society, including youth organisations, in various European countries. This trend is continuing in 2020, with extremely worrying signs that the COVID-19 health crisis is being used to gain political control, putting many dimensions of civic space under threat. With our new study, Safeguarding Civic Space for Young People in Europe, the European Youth Forum aims to put the spotlight on challenges faced by youth organisations in Europe. 

On behalf of over 100 national and international youth networks that represent millions of young people, the European Youth Forum calls on Ministries of Foreign Affairs to guarantee that the Youth Sector of the Council of Europe remains in the ordinary budget of the organisation.

In October 2017, 120 youth representatives came together at the 4th Africa-Europe Youth Summit to shape conversations about the present and the future of youth in our two continents. The Abidjan Declaration sets out demands for the future of youth in the Africa-EU Partnership and to advance the rights and the interests of young people both in Africa and in Europe.