The European Year of Youth (EYY) provides an opportunity for young people to learn, share their vision, and meet other young people from all over Europe by participating in or initating new activities and projects. In short, the EYY aims to:

• renew the positive perspectives for young people while highlighting how the green transition, the digital transition and other Union policies offer opportunities for young people and for society at large;
• empower and support different groups of young people, including through youth work, to acquire relevant knowledge and competences and thus become active and engaged citizens and agents of change;
• support young people to acquire a better understanding of public policies to support their personal, social, economic, and professional development in a green, digital, and inclusive world;
• mainstream youth policy across all relevant Union policy fields in line with the 2019 – 2027 EU Youth Strategy to encourage the bringing of a youth perspective into policy-making at all levels.

Through organizing various conferences, events, and policy initiatives; by promoting youth participation and enhancing the use of existing and new innovative tools, channels, and programs; through gathering ideas using participatory methods in an effort to co-create and co-implement the European Year; and by providing information, education, and developing awareness-raising campaigns to convey EU values.

You can participate in one of the many activities organized under EYY. Check out the official EYY website, look for a MAP, and filter out events that interest you! You can also submit an activity if you want to organize an event under EYY!

CONNECT has focused its efforts on promoting and advancing the digital aspect of the #EYY2022 in accordance with its four pillars of work and the EU’s strategic priorities!

• DIGITAL RIGHTS

Promoting youth rights and advocating for their equal application in the digital world as a means of inclusion and combating discrimination.

• DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Supporting free and open internet access, developing educational resources, improving digital literacy and skills, bridging the digital divide, and ensuring digital literacy and inclusion.

• DIGITAL ACCESS

Strengthening digital democracy, youth participation, decision-making, and freedom of assembly.

• DIGITAL INNOVATION

Introducing innovative practices and ICT development in youth work to empower young people for ever-changing life in the twenty-first century. 

Through organizing various events, workshops, capacity building programs, conferences, the production of guidelines and policy recommendations, advocacy, and echoing of young people’s opinions!

Check out the official EYY website, look for a MAP, and filter out events that interest you! You can also submit an activity if you want to organize an event under EYY!

Check out our EYY-specific landing page to learn more about CONNECT’s projects and activities under #EYY2022!

Contact us if you want to participate in our events! Check out our Member Organizations list and get in touch with them if you want to follow their work in your country!

Visit our website and read our studies, guidelines, and policy proposals – they may be useful in your work!

Stay tuned for more information on CONNECT’s upcoming #EYY2022 activities!

Young people are essential to our growth. Their lives are filled not just by academic, cultural, and sporting activities, but also by youth work and non-formal education. Accelerated technological advancement and COVID-19 pandemic forced upon digitalization in all spheres of our lives, including youth work and non-formal education. CONNECT International was one of the few organizations that enthusiastically welcomed this transformation, owing to its prior field experience. In order to create a high-quality digital infrastructure that benefits young people and youth organizations, CONNECT International and its members have been tirelessly exploring ways to deploy digital tools and innovation more effectively in youth work. While digital change is unavoidable, its successful implementation in our daily lives is not. Therefore, our policy work provides compelling arguments for bringing humanity to digital life and ensuring that technology is used to the benefit of all young people while safeguarding their rights in the digital realm. Through our work in the field, we aim to empower young people and youth organizations to use technology in a way that will benefit young people and society at large!