The 1st Seminar on European Youth Policy Frameworks, held on May 16, 2023

was a collaborative effort organized by USB. The seminar brought together a diverse group of 22 participants representing 17 TUNE organizations, who actively engaged in a virtual Zoom meeting.

The seminar commenced with a thought-provoking keynote presentation that shed light on the European Union (EU) Youth Strategy and its key priorities. Elina Azopoulou (Head of Project Management) from USB, provided a comprehensive overview of the EU's ongoing efforts to address various youth-related issues. Emphasizing the significance of youth policies and programs, Elina highlighted notable initiatives such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. She stressed the importance of establishing strong connections between the EU youth strategy and local, national, and European levels to ensure effective implementation.

The seminar featured two distinguished speakers, Kyriaki Pelagou (Political Scientist and Expert on EU Youth Policies) and Christos Leivaditis (Balkaniologist & Expert on Mobility Projects). They delved into various youth policy concepts and approaches, focusing on three key areas:

Youth rights: The speakers underscored the importance of promoting and safeguarding the rights of young people. They emphasized the need for policies that ensure the well-being of youth, facilitate access to education and healthcare, and protect against discrimination.

Youth needs: Recognizing the diverse needs of young people, the seminar emphasized the significance of tailoring youth programs to cater to specific areas such as education, employment, mental health, and social inclusion. Addressing these needs effectively is crucial for designing impactful policies.

Participatory approaches: The seminar emphasized the empowerment of young people through their active involvement in decision-making processes. The speakers highlighted the value of including youth in policy design, implementation, and evaluation through mechanisms such as youth councils, consultations, and youth-led initiatives.

Kyriaki and Christos highlighted that the EU Youth Strategy, established by the Council Resolution of 26 November 2018, provides a comprehensive framework for youth policy cooperation within the European Union. The strategy focuses on three key areas of action: Engage, Connect, and Empower.

By fostering meaningful participation, promoting connections, and empowering young people, the EU aims to enhance their well-being and promote active citizenship. The strategy's successful realization necessitates joint implementation across all sectors, ensuring the integration of youth policies in all areas. By investing in youth engagement, networking, and empowerment, the EU strives to build a more inclusive, connected, and prosperous Europe for future generations.

During the seminar, also the 11 European Youth Goals were presented, serving as guiding principles for creating an inclusive, sustainable, and empowered Europe for young people. The EU Youth Strategy plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals by involving young people in the policy framework, promoting collaboration, and ensuring that their voices and aspirations take center stage in decision-making processes. Active pursuit of these goals enables Europe to forge a better future for its younger generations.

Kyriaki and Christos further highlighted the significance of reaching out to marginalized youth and individuals facing difficulties or belonging to underrepresented groups. Special attention was drawn to minorities with limited access to information, the Roma community, young refugees and migrants, youth in areas with geographical obstacles, individuals facing financial difficulties, and people with disabilities (e.g., hearing or vision impairments). Implementing a comprehensive information strategy and providing necessary support emerged as essential objectives to ensure equal access to information about the opportunities provided by the European Union, regardless of one's background.

Participants were divided into three teams using Jamboard to foster collaboration and idea exchange. Each team focused on organizing Info Days for specific target groups:

• Team 1: Organizing an Info Day for the "European Solidarity Corps" in a Rural Area.
• Team 2: Organizing an Info Day for Mobility Opportunities (Youth Exchanges and Training Courses) for Marginalized Youth.
• Team 3: Organizing an Info Day for University Students.

Breakout room discussions were held to encourage participants to share their experiences and examples of successful practices in implementing youth policy frameworks. These discussions provided a platform for participants to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and identify effective strategies. After the breakout room discussions, each group presented their findings, highlighting the good practices they identified. This session facilitated cross-learning and inspired participants with innovative approaches to implementing youth policy frameworks.

The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session, enabling participants to delve deeper into the topics covered and engage in further discussion. Valuable insights were shared, and participants' questions were addressed.

In the closing remarks, the key findings of the seminar were summarized. Participants were encouraged to continue exploring and implementing effective youth policy frameworks in their respective settings. Suggestions were made for future initiatives, collaborations, and research opportunities, emphasizing the importance of ongoing improvement in youth policy at all levels.