Youth and the EU: From Assumed Disinterest to Reinvented Participation

„How will we build Europe if young people do not see it as a collective project and a representation of their own future?“ These words from Jacques Delors during his speech on the orientation of the European Communities Commission in Strasbourg on January 17, 1989, still resonate today across the 27 EU member states. The construction and functioning of Europe cannot be achieved without the involvement of its younger citizens, and this necessarily involves new methods.

It is often said that young people are disinterested in politics and have only a distant connection to the European Union (EU), or even that they are unfamiliar with how it works. But is this really the case? According to the Eurobarometer of May 24, 2024, on young people’s participation in civic and democratic life in the EU, 67% of young people believe that the EU has a direct influence on their daily lives. This is a significant figure, reflecting a clear understanding and interest in European issues, which contradicts the general perception. In the face of this misconception, it is essential to understand how young people interact with the EU and to what extent it offers them opportunities for engagement, through an analysis of the actions and policies in place.

Key elements of youth & the EU

At the EU level, youth remain a national issue, meaning that member states have full autonomy on the subject, and no harmonization across the 27 states is possible. Nevertheless, the EU serves as a support for member states, particularly through the implementation of numerous trans-European programs for youth. The Erasmus+ program, established in 1987 and modernized over the years, is the most well-known example. This program, managed by the European Commission, allows for initiatives in education, training, and sports for all European citizens, particularly the youngest. With a substantial budget of €28 billion, it facilitates school exchanges, training sessions, and the creation of meetings between different European countries. Beyond this flagship program, the EU has been pursuing a youth policy since 2002. Most recently, this was reflected in the adoption of the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027, aimed at complementing the national measures of member states to promote European cooperation in youth policy. This strategy demonstrates the EU’s desire to strengthen youth engagement.

How do young citizens engage with European politics? By being active through social networks and demonstrating significant civic engagement, young Europeans play an important role in European public life.

Youth and political engagement in Europe: uncertain participation but increasing influence

From the age of 18 in most European countries, citizens can exercise their right to vote. While some states are considering lowering this age to broaden democratic participation, a broader reflection is underway. Both political parties and citizens themselves are seeking to redefine their role and place in European political life to strengthen civic engagement and address current democratic challenges.

Voting in Europe: an obsolete form of political participation for young people?

Since the 1999 European elections, young European citizens have participated significantly in various elections. For instance, in 2014, 18-24-year-olds voted in large numbers across the EU. During the last elections, 64% of young Europeans planned to vote in May 2024, a slight increase. The fact that more than one in two young Europeans intends to vote is an encouraging sign, once again contradicting the image of young adults disinterested in the politics of the European Union.

Moreover, youth political participation in Europe is encouraged by lowering the voting age to 16. This initiative, already adopted by Austria and Malta, was implemented for the first time in Germany and Belgium during the election from June 6 to 9. In Germany, nearly 5 million citizens were able to vote for the first time in an election. Allowed to vote in 6 Länder for local and European elections, this initiative helps reconnect young people with politics. Moreover, 16-year-olds are perfectly capable of analyzing and understanding the political platforms of various candidates, allowing them to take part in the voting process.

However, youth engagement is not limited to voting. They use other means to get involved in politics, such as social networks, which are becoming an increasingly influential channel for informing and mobilizing this new generation.

Social networks: a preferred political dissemination channel for young people

According to Médiamétrie, „70% of 15-34-year-olds use social networks daily to stay informed“ through platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Instant access to information, video content, summarized information, etc., are all factors that appeal to Generation Z. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, it is not these young individuals who spread the most fake news, as those aged 50-70 dominate that ranking. For example, during Donald Trump’s election in 2016, 18-29-year-olds were the least likely to share fake news. Therefore, this age group is likely the most inclined to question online content, and their way of consuming information shows a strong desire to verify it.

Political parties have understood the appeal of social media to younger generations and have found ways to use it. In this game, far-right and far-left parties are particularly skilled.

How can we not mention Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right French party Rassemblement National, who has nearly 2 million followers on TikTok? By presenting their leader as a social media star, the French nationalist party has cleverly used these platforms to soften its image and share alternative content favorable to its ideas with a young audience, including (future) first-time voters. On the other side of the political spectrum, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, has also joined TikTok and remains the second most followed French politician on the platform.

In Germany, the nationalist party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has also benefited from this social media boom. A recent AI Forensics study showed that the AfD’s content on TikTok significantly contributed to the party’s high support among young people. The platform’s algorithm allowed the dissemination of AfD content to young users seeking information about the European elections.

Elsewhere, other far-right leaders have also entered the Chinese social network, such as Matteo Salvini from Italy’s Lega with 975,000 followers or Slawomir Mentzen, leader of Poland’s Konfederacja, with 850,000 followers. The European far-right has thus managed to establish a dominant presence on this social platform. Beyond the danger this represents for information diversity, it is essential to note that the dissemination of political content on social media inevitably leads to a simplification of the debate. With short videos, tweets designed to go viral, or striking images, the image of politicians and the seriousness of their work are necessarily affected.

However, social media should not be reduced to a mere platform for populist parties. In fact, they also represent an opportunity to strengthen the link between politics and the younger segment of the population.

Social networks: an opportunity for the European Parliament & young people

The European Parliament has understood this well. Ahead of the elections, the Parliament implemented a communication strategy based on influencers to remind people of the importance of voting and to briefly present this election. Funded to the tune of €37 million, this strategy aimed to target individuals who do not necessarily get their information from traditional media (print, television, radio). This initiative shows that, far from being just a tool for simplifying the debate, social media can also become a powerful lever to mobilize and raise awareness among new voters.

Influencers themselves are beginning to take part in the debate and in the political life of the EU. For the first time in history, two influencers were elected as members of the European Parliament on June 9. On one hand, Cypriot YouTuber Fidias Panayiotou was elected without a real political platform, intending to inform his fan base about European political life. On the other hand, Spanish Instagrammer Alvise Pérez, known for his affiliation with Vox, a far-right Spanish party, and his anti-abortion, anti-women’s rights, homophobic, and openly anti-immigration stances, was also elected. This evolution highlights the growing importance of influencers in the European political landscape, revealing new dynamics of representation and challenges related to the legitimacy of the voices that rise on these platforms. The presence of these figures on the political scene also raises questions about the future of political discourse and how young voters engage in public debate.

Despite the growing importance of social media in young people’s political involvement, other forms of engagement are emerging outside of traditional frameworks. Beyond voting and social networks, many civic initiatives and events offer young Europeans the opportunity to express themselves and actively participate in the political life of the Union.

European associations as an interface for civic engagement

Today, young people’s political engagement takes different forms. By joining European associations, young citizens seek to gather to understand and influence European decisions. Associative involvement allows young people to actively participate in their community’s life and engage in concrete projects. Through associations, they are sensitized to social, economic, and environmental issues. By being part of associations, they learn to exercise their citizenship by contributing to collective actions, thereby strengthening their sense of belonging and civic responsibility.

Young European Federalists (JEF)

The Young European Federalists (JEF) is certainly one of the most prominent associations across the European Union. Its goal is to promote a democratic vision of Europe. Created in 1972 and counting nearly 10,000 members across 37 countries, this NGO advocates for the participation of young people within European institutions. Aware of the challenges facing society, the JEF emphasizes the need to speak directly to citizens through various events such as:

• Presentations in schools
• Debates at universities
• Street actions
• Pan-European campaigns
• Online and social media articles

These actions aim to counter European and political apathy and fight against nationalism. Beyond daily events, the JEF also organizes a European congress every two years, bringing together members from all countries. The next edition will take place in 2025 in Budapest. This congress is an opportunity for them to meet and discuss topics that matter to them. Once again, human contact and on-the-ground actions are essential for these new generations.

Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ)

The vitality of the Franco-German relationship also benefits young people. Created in 1963 by the Élysée Treaty, the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ) aims to bring together young people from both countries. By organizing exchanges, twinning committees, language courses, and offering internships, the OFAJ works to strengthen Franco-German ties. By addressing various topics, the OFAJ fosters European diversity and encourages young people to meet. Currently co-chaired by Gil Avérous, French Minister of Sports, Youth, and Community Life, and Lisa Paus, German Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth, the office operates under the joint governmental oversight of France and Germany. The participatory projects it offers give young people practical experience in citizenship and encourage them to take part in public life. Through its activities, the OFAJ places particular emphasis on understanding European institutions and the democratic values shared by EU member countries.

European Youth Parliament (EYP)

Is debating European parliamentary life the best way to strengthen the sense of citizenship among young Europeans? That’s the mission of the European Youth Parliament (EYP), founded in 1987. Driven by democratic values and strong civic engagement, this association, aimed at 15 to 25-year-olds, operates as a network. It organizes debates and workshops on European political life, aiming to make European affairs as accessible as possible to the population. They cover a range of topics connected to current European issues, such as immigration, health, rights, and new technologies. Today, the EYP is very active, with thousands of members across the European Union. The vitality and diversity of the activities offered by EYP reflect the significant civic engagement of young Europeans. Additionally, by being members of this association, 15 to 25-year-olds can participate in European public life decisions. These young citizens are invited to propose concrete solutions to European challenges, reflect on public policies, and make recommendations. This allows them to feel involved in political debate and become more active citizens.

Europe, an opportunity for youth

Europe today embodies a space of freedom and opportunity for young people, where diversity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit coexist. Programs such as Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, and the Franco-German Youth Office provide youth with a wide range of opportunities to study, work, and collaborate in culturally diverse environments, promoting open-mindedness and adaptability. This unique European diversity is an invaluable source of intercultural encounters and discovery, allowing young people to grow and become engaged European citizens. The Union’s fundamental values, such as freedom of expression, respect for others, and the right to diversity, are essential drivers of innovation and inclusion for the younger generation. By funding entrepreneurial projects, internships, and volunteer missions, Europe not only supports personal development but also fosters the growth of strong professional skills.

Science also holds a prominent place in European initiatives. By encouraging the mobility of researchers and students and promoting university collaboration, the Union offers young talents concrete means to participate in cutting-edge research across various fields, from ecological transition to the digital revolution. This commitment is reflected in programs like Horizon Europe, which support major scientific projects and cross-border partnerships, further solidifying Europe’s position as a global innovation hub.

Finally, entrepreneurial spirit, backed by initiatives like the European Investment Fund, empowers young people to become agents of change. By investing in entrepreneurial ventures and creating businesses, young Europeans can turn their ideas into tangible realities while contributing to the sustainable growth of their continent. Thus, Europe today stands as a space of freedom and creation, providing youth with the tools they need to build a shared future founded on the values of diversity, solidarity, and innovation. Through these initiatives, the European Union aspires to be more than just a place to live: it becomes a true partner for young people, supporting their ambitions and enabling them to fulfill their potential in a constantly evolving world.

Youth engagement in the European Union

Young Europeans play a crucial role in the daily political life of the European Union, engaging in various ways. Whether through their involvement in civic initiatives, local projects, or using social media, they are increasingly concerned with issues of their time, such as climate, social justice, or human rights. Social networks offer them a platform to stay informed and engage in debates, but their commitment goes beyond, extending to more direct forms of democratic participation, such as civic consultations or exchanges with elected officials.

The European Union, recognizing this potential, encourages youth participation through programs like Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps while strengthening communication campaigns tailored to this generation. However, for this dynamic to continue and grow, it is essential to create more spaces where these young people can express themselves, be heard, and influence public policies. This will help build a Europe that reflects their aspirations.