Today in Brussels, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela met with 29 young leaders from around the world for the second Youth Policy Dialogue on International Partnerships. The exchange focused on young people’s priorities for EU international cooperation and marked the start of preparations for the second Youth Action Plan.
The dialogue brought together members of the third cohort of the EU Youth Sounding Board for International Partnerships, composed of youth leaders and activists from the EU and partner countries, and representatives of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Youth Network.
They reflected on the main challenges and achievements of the first Youth Action Plan in EU external action (2022–2027) and discussed how the Global Gateway investment strategy can better respond to young people’s priorities. The young participants highlighted the need for better access to education, skills development and employment opportunities, key priorities at the heart of the Global Gateway strategy.
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela said: “With Global Gateway, we are investing in a more sustainable and prosperous future for both Europe and our partners. That future belongs to young people, which is why, in the years ahead, we should work together to further embed their perspectives and priorities in our external action. In doing so, we can build stronger, more strategic, and more reliable partnerships around the world.”
The recommendations gathered during the dialogue will feed into preparations for the second Youth Action Plan, helping shape its priorities. A public consultation will soon be launched, offering young people and other stakeholders a further opportunity to contribute to this process.
Introduced under President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines 2024–2029, the Youth Policy Dialogues provide an opportunity for young people to exchange views directly with European Commissioners and contribute to EU policymaking.
