European Youth Capital
The European Youth Capital is a title awarded by the European Youth Forum designed to empower young people, boost youth participation and strengthen European identity in our cities.
Would you like to know more? Get in touch!
Applications for the European Youth Capital 2028 are now open
Does your city have what it takes to become the next European Youth Capital? 💪 The European Youth Capital title is bringing communities together since 2009, creating liveable city ecosystems for young people. Apply now to become the next European Youth Capital.
Exciting news! 🔥
Parma (Italy) is the European Youth Capital 2027!
Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto, Giuseppe Verdi and now....European Youth Capital. You guessed it right! Parma has been awarded the European Youth Capital 2027 title. This northern Italian city has really placed young people in the spotlight and it's got big plans for 2027. The theme? Think Italian piazza (square) vibes, but make it modern, inclusive and packed with purpose 🇮🇹
More than a title!
Each year, a new European city is given the chance to showcase its innovative ideas, projects and activities that aim to raise up young voices and bring a new youth perspective to all aspects of city life.
Many more, by simply applying to the title, experience innovative youth-focus initiatives taking place.
From public transport and infrastructure, to cultural and educational programmes and democratic policy-making, the European Youth Capital title invites cities across the continent to rethink how they engage with and include young people.
Empowering young citizens
It is crucial that young people have equal opportunity to shape the social, economic, political and cultural life of their local community.
The European Youth Capital initiative aims to support both young people and decision-makers to open up these possibilities and lead the way for other European municipalities to follow.
Inspiring a legacy
In over a decade of the existence of the European Youth Capital title, the Capitals have managed to become real champions for young people, fostering their engagement in decision-making processes and building their European identity.
From the first European Youth Capital to this day, cities have been shown to establish strong relationships between young people, youth organisations, municipalities and local businesses to transform their communities.
European Youth Capitals
- 2009 - Rotterdam (NL)
- 2010 - Turin (IT)
- 2011 - Antwerp (BE)
- 2012 - Braga (PT)
- 2013 - Maribor (SL)
- 2014 - Thessaloniki (GR)
- 2015 - Cluj-Napoca (RO)
- 2016 - Ganja (AZ)
- 2017 - Varna (BG)
- 2018 - Cascais (PT)
- 2019 - Novi Sad (RS)
- 2020 - Amiens (FR)
- 2021 - Klaipeda (LT)
- 2022 - Tirana (AL)
- 2023 - Lublin (PL)
- 2024 - Ghent (BE)
- 2025 - Lviv (UA)
- 2026 - Tromsø (NO)
- 2027 - Parma (IT)
A BIG congratulations️ to all 2027 European Youth Capital finalists 🔥
- Chișinău, Moldova 🇲🇩
- Fuenlabrada, Spain 🇪🇸
- Málaga, Spain 🇪🇸
- Skopje, North Macedonia 🇲🇰 (Updated 12/11/2024: Skopje withdrew its candidacy)
All of these finalist cities have demonstrated amazing commitment to investing in young people and opening up opportunities for active involvement in city life. Well done!
Thank you to all the 11 European cities that applied - keep striving for youth inclusive cities!
want to get inspired?
Thinking about becoming the next European Youth Capital? Dive into the inspiring journeys of the 2023 and 2024 winners! Check out their final applications below and get ready to submit your own.
The first round of applications is usually open from December to February, followed by the announcement of shortlisted candidate cities in March. From there, gear up for the second round in June, and the third and final round in October. The winner is normally announced in November! Don't miss your chance to shine 👇