European Youth Forum

European Youth Forum
Name	European Youth Forum
Formation	1996
Type	Youth platform
Headquarters	Brussels
Region served	Europe
Membership	National youth councils, international non-governmental youth organisations
Leader title	Secretary General

European Youth Forum is an independent, democratic, youth-led platform that represents the interests of young people across Europe. The Forum brings together national youth councils and international youth organisations to engage with institutions such as the European Union, the Council of Europe, and United Nations bodies. It liaises with stakeholders including the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to influence policies affecting youth.

History

The Forum was established in 1996 following consultations involving actors like the European Youth Centre (Strasbourg), the European Youth Centre (Budapest), and networks of national organisations such as the Italian National Youth Council and the Young European Federalists. Early founders drew on precedents set by conferences like the World Youth Summit and instruments such as the European Youth Pact and the Yogyakarta Principles (in broader human rights framing). The organisation evolved through successive treaty contexts including interactions with the Maastricht Treaty era institutions, engagements at summits like the Lisbon Summit (2000), and cooperation with agencies such as the European Youth Foundation. Key leadership periods saw collaboration with figures from Youth of the European People's Party and youth wings connected to parties represented in the European Council and the Council of the European Union.

Organization and Structure

The Forum operates through a statutory framework approved by its General Assembly, modelled on governance practices found in bodies like the United Nations General Assembly and the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Its secretariat in Brussels supports elected bodies including the Bureau and the Executive Committee, mirroring structures in organisations such as Amnesty International and Youth Business International. The Secretary General manages daily operations akin to executive roles in the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund. Working groups and task forces collaborate with partners such as the European Youth Card Association and the European Students' Union.

Membership and Partners

Membership comprises national youth councils comparable to organisations like the Scouts of Europe and international youth organisations such as European Students' Union, International Falcon Movement, and youth wings of political families including Young European Socialists and European Democrat Students. The Forum partners with intergovernmental institutions including the Council of Europe, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. It cooperates with international NGOs, foundations like the Open Society Foundations, and networks such as Youth Workers' Association and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies when implementing programmes.

Activities and Campaigns

The Forum organises campaigns on rights and participation reminiscent of initiatives by UNICEF and Human Rights Watch, coordinating events similar to those at the World Youth Festival and the European Youth Capital programme. It convenes policy dialogues with the European Commission Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture and runs capacity-building programmes alongside actors like Council of Europe Youth Department and the European Training Foundation. Campaign themes have intersected with instruments such as the Erasmus+ programme and responses to crises discussed at the European Council and emergency fora like meetings of the United Nations Security Council focusing on youth inclusion.

Policy Positions and Advocacy

The Forum advocates on issues that include youth rights, employment, mobility and participation in political processes, engaging with legislative bodies including the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the European Committee of the Regions. It produces position papers used in consultations with the European Commission and contributes to policy frameworks such as the European Youth Strategy (2019–2027). The Forum engages with human rights mechanisms like the European Court of Human Rights and UN treaty bodies including the Committee on the Rights of the Child to promote standards comparable to those advanced by organisations such as Save the Children and Human Rights Watch.

Funding and Governance

Funding derives from a mix of grants, membership fees and project contracts with institutions such as the European Commission, the Council of Europe, and philanthropic donors including the Open Society Foundations and foundations connected to the European Cultural Foundation. Financial oversight follows accountability practices similar to those in Transparency International and audited procedures akin to standards employed by the United Nations Development Programme. Governance includes elected boards and statutory oversight through the General Assembly, with ethical and compliance frameworks informed by guidelines from entities like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Court of Auditors.

Category:Youth organisations based in Belgium Category:Pan-European organisations