On 27 November in Brussels, the EU ministers responsible for youth policy decided to adopt a new framework for EU cooperation on youth policy for the period 2010-2018. This means that the foundation has been laid for political cooperation in the areas that affect young people the most: education, employment, creativity and entrepreneurship, social inclusion, health and sports, citizen participation and voluntary work.

The new framework for cooperation on youth issues specifies overall goals, priorities, working methods and follow-up systems. The overall goals of this cooperation will be the creation of more and equal opportunities for all young people in the education system and labour market, and the promotion of active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity.

“I am very pleased that we were able to reach an agreement among the EU Member States on a new long-term framework of cooperation in the youth field during the Swedish Presidency," says Christer Hallerby, State Secretary at the Swedish Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality. “We believe that the new framework will strengthen and improve European cooperation, and make it possible to deliver more concrete results. Investing in, and empowering, young women and men are crucial, not only for young people themselves, but also for sustainable growth and development in the EU, not the least in the light of the economic crisis."

Many issues affecting young people

The decision on a new framework was based on the European Commission's proposal from April this year on a new EU Youth Strategy. An important starting point was also the major evaluation of EU youth policy undertaken in all Member States in 2008.

“Youth policy is the responsibility of EU Member States and, in many cases, a local or regional responsibility as well, but we can exchange experiences and learn from one another through EU cooperation," says Petra Mårselius who led the negotiations on the framework in Brussels. “This means that Member States can be inspired and helped in designing a better and more efficient youth policy at home. EU cooperation deals with issues such as youth unemployment, how young people can acquire a good education, how to promote young people's health and how young people can be given the chance to take part in the democratic process. These are issues with a significant practical impact on young people."

Consulting young people part of the process

Before the decision was taken, extensive consultations took place with young people and youth organisations. A structured dialogue will also continue to be an important part of the cooperation. On 12-14 September a major conference was arranged in Stockholm with young people from all the EU, EFTA and candidate countries, officials, researchers and others working with youth issues. This was the last round of consultations before the new framework for cooperation was adopted in November.

“This framework represents an important step towards an integrated youth policy," says Tine Radinja, President of the European Youth Forum. “We support the adoption of a cross-sectoral approach to youth policy, by setting a clear distinction between initiatives taken by ministries responsible for youth affairs and the cross-sectoral initiatives necessary in other related policy fields. In nine years time we hope to have a well-oiled system ensuring that young people participate fully in the political decision-making process and monitoring the framework to ensure that youth policy meets the needs of young people," Tine Radinja concludes.