Young Voices for Europe 2026: Fully Funded Youth Policy Dialogue in France

Young Voices for Europe 2026: Fully Funded Youth Policy Dialogue in France

Young people across Europe now have an exciting opportunity to directly contribute to shaping the future of youth policies in the European Union through the Young Voices for Europe 2026 Youth Policy Dialogue in Lyon, France.

Organized under the European Youth Portal, this fully funded initiative will bring together 30 young participants from across Europe for high-level discussions with European policymakers from 15 to 17 July 2026.

The programme is designed for young people passionate about youth participation, inclusion, policymaking, leadership, and social change. No prior policy experience is required, making the opportunity accessible to students, graduates, activists, and young professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Program Overview

What Participants Will Discuss

Selected participants will contribute to important discussions related to the future EU Youth Strategy.

Key discussion themes include:

Inclusive Youth Participation

Participants will explore ways to make youth participation more accessible and inclusive regardless of:

• Social background
• Economic status
• Ethnicity
• Disability
• Educational background
• Geographic location

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Challenges Affecting Young People

The dialogue will focus on major issues affecting youth across Europe including:

• Employment opportunities
• Mental health
• Education access
• Social inclusion
• Housing challenges
• Climate concerns
• Digital transformation
• Youth representation in governance

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Building a Youth-Centered EU Strategy

Participants will help identify:

• Gaps in youth support systems
• Areas where policies need improvement
• New ideas for youth-focused initiatives
• Better strategies for youth engagement across Europe

Fully Funded Benefits

Selected participants will receive:

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 18 and 30 years old
• Reside in geographical Europe
• Have good English communication skills
• Be available to attend the event in Lyon
• Have never participated in a Youth Policy Dialogue before

The organizers encourage applications from participants of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Experience Beyond Policy Discussions

In addition to policy dialogue sessions, participants will also have the opportunity to:

• Explore the city of Lyon
• Participate in cultural activities
• Connect with young leaders from different countries
• Build international networks and collaborations
• Gain exposure to European policymaking processes

Application Process

Applicants must complete the official online application form.

The application requires:

• Personal information
• Nationality and occupation details
• Responses related to youth participation in policymaking
• A short written response of up to 200 words
• Selection of a preferred discussion topic

Selected participants must also attend at least one online preparatory meeting before the in-person event.

Important Links

Final Words

The Young Voices for Europe 2026 Youth Policy Dialogue is an excellent opportunity for young Europeans who want to contribute to policymaking, strengthen leadership skills, and engage directly with EU decision-makers.

With fully funded participation, international networking opportunities, and meaningful discussions on the future of youth policies, this programme offers a valuable platform for young people to shape the future of Europe.