BRUSSELS, Oct. 4 (EUROPE PRESS) –
The European Union has set out to involve young people in its foreign and sustainability policy with a plan presented by the European Commission to establish a “strategic” partnership with youth through opportunities and plans that encourage their participation.
Brussels has highlighted that the youth action strategy, the first plan of its kind at EU level, has been drawn up with the participation of more than 200 youth associations and actors and will help fulfill international commitments, such as the 2030 Agenda for Development Sustainable Development of the United Nations and the Paris Climate Agreement.
The idea is to give young people a voice and tools in the EU’s external action. “It will position the EU as a bridge at a time of crisis and put youth at the center of the EU’s foreign policies,” said Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Cooperation.
For the Finnish commissioner, this is a “direct response” to the demands of young people who ask for a step to take into account their vision after the management of the coronavirus pandemic and the climate emergency. Everything comes together with the EU’s foreign action, because as Urpilainen has pointed out, 90 percent of young people live in low- and middle-income countries.
Within the framework of this strategy, the EU will support educational initiatives to improve access to economic opportunities, improve the capacity of young people to contribute to sustainable development and the green and digital transitions.
The youth action plan will reinforce key projects already underway that have young people as the main beneficiaries. In this way, it will commit 50 million for the formal and informal education of young Africans and will promote exchange programs to promote youth networks on the continent.
The strategy reserves 40 million to support youth organizations that focus on the leadership of young people and women, strengthening their rights and their participation in public and political affairs. While another 10 million will be used to finance sustainability initiatives led by young people at the local level.
