ERYICA's contribution to the review of the EU Youth Strategy post-2027

+ Publications

2026

ERYICA's contribution to the review of the EU Youth Strategy post-2027

This document represents ERYICA’s official contribution to the open consultation launched by the European Commission in April 2026, ahead of the review and design of the EU Youth Strategy post-2027.

Under the name Information You Can Trust: Youth Information as a Pillar of Quality Youth Work, Digital Rights & Constructive Dialogue in the European Union, the text argues that access to high-quality youth information and media literacy are indispensable prerequisites for ensuring active participation, social inclusion, and democratic resilience for youth in the new digital landscape.

Based on the input provided by the members of the ERYICA network, the document proposes the following strategic recommendations for the next EU Youth Strategy:

• RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. Recognition of Youth Information Workers: Recognise youth information as a visible pillar of the post‑2027 EU Youth Strategy and a distinct profession and field of expertise within the youth sector.

  2. Strategic Youth Goals Re-Alignment: Position youth information as a cross-cutting enabler of all European Youth Goals, while updating Youth Goal 4, Information & Constructive Dialogue, to include quality information, media and AI literacy and digital rights.

  3. Strengthening Youth Engagement Mechanisms: Establish youth‑friendly communication and an EU‑level feedback mechanism, accessible in digital and non‑digital formats

  4. Cross-Cutting Mainstreaming: Recognise quality youth information as a pillar of democratic resilience by embedding it across policies, ensuring sustainable funding, and supporting inclusive access for all young people.

  5. Supporting Sustainable Youth Participation: Create a dedicated EU fund to strengthen youth participation structures by implementing governance reforms, establishing financial support mechanisms, and developing sustainable co-decision frameworks.

  6. Enhancing Pan-European Connectivity: Facilitate the participation of candidate and neighbouring countries in EU youth programmes to foster European values, cooperation, and stronger cross-border ties.