This initiative was one of many celebrating 30 years of Interreg, which is the EU’s flagship scheme for cooperation across borders at regional and national level, to the benefit of all EU citizens.
The manifesto is the result of a truly democratic and bottom-up process to involve young people in shaping the future of EU Cohesion Policy, in particular Interreg and the macro-regional strategies (MRS).
Addressing young people’s concerns
Following targeted surveys, polls and online group discussions with young people from all over Europe, the manifesto presents five areas of concern expressed by European youth, linked in particular to: 1) education and training opportunities; 2) employment and job market; 3) digitalisation; 4) climate change; and 5) citizens' engagement.
The 12 concrete recommendations presented are mainly addressed to decision-makers and administrations at the EU, national, regional and local level to show what they can do to best address young people’s needs.
A core group of young people and organisations interested in European cooperation and/or the engagement of citizens, especially youth, as well as European Commission staff, hold regular informal exchanges. The aim is to better disseminate the manifesto and ensure the implementation of the 12 recommendations is followed up accordingly.
The manifesto is available to all those interested in improving EU Cohesion Policy, in particular its cooperation dimension. Whether it is accessed by a young person, a politician or someone working in a local, regional or national administration, the manifesto is a great tool to show that young people’s ideas can only improve the way we build a better, fairer and stronger EU for all. As such, young people’s voices must be heard!
According to Astrid Aulnette, Communication Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy: ‘We are working with young people not only to hear their main concerns but also to work with them hand in hand and to implement good projects that would meet with their needs at all levels.’
All Interreg and MRS actors are invited to implement the 12 recommendations and to further promote the manifesto within their networks.
