Rural Youth Europe Represents Rural Young People at the 4th EU Youth Stakeholders Group Meeting

Rural Youth Europe
8 hours ago
2 min read

On 12–13 June, Rural Youth Europe’s Vice-Chairperson for External Affairs, Martin Siemen, travelled to Brussels to participate in the 4th EU Youth Stakeholders Group Meeting.

The EU Youth Stakeholders Group was established by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) as part of the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022. The group brings together representatives from EU institutions, Member States, National Youth Councils, European youth organisations, and youth researchers to exchange perspectives and contribute to the development of youth policy at European level.

This year's in-person meeting focused on the ongoing revision of the EU Youth Strategy and the development of proposals for the period beyond 2027. Discussions centred on key themes including Youth Mainstreaming, Youth Work, and the future of the EU Youth Dialogue.

Participants also received updates on the latest work of DG EAC's Youth Unit and were invited to contribute to discussions on several upcoming policy initiatives, including the new Education Package, Citizenship Skills, and the Quality Jobs Act.

For Rural Youth Europe, the meeting provided an important opportunity to ensure that the experiences and needs of young people living in rural areas were represented in these discussions. Drawing on conclusions from recent Rural Youth Europe events, policy papers, and committee meetings, Martin highlighted the importance of inclusion, participation, services, and infrastructure for rural young people across Europe.

Reflecting on the discussions, Martin emphasised:

"The future EU Youth Strategy, including its elements for Youth Mainstreaming and Participation, must properly reflect the territorial diversity of the European Union and its partners. It needs adequate structures and funds to not leave any rural young person behind."

The meeting also offered valuable opportunities to connect with other youth stakeholders and government representatives from across Europe, helping to strengthen partnerships and ensure that rural perspectives remain part of future policy conversations.

As discussions continue on the future of European youth policy, Rural Youth Europe will continue advocating for policies that recognise the realities of rural life and ensure that young people in rural areas can fully participate in society, access quality services and opportunities, and have their voices heard in decision-making processes.