From September 21 to 23, 2025, the city of Copenhagen hosted the second European Youth Conference of the 2025 cycle, organised under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European UnionThis event, which brought together youth delegates from the 27 Member States, candidate countries, international NGOs and the European Youth Forum, had a specific objective: to transform the results of the European consultation into concrete policy proposals.
This meeting represented a pivotal step in the European Youth Dialogue: after consulting more than 38,000 young people across the EU, the next step was to bring their proposals to the attention of European decision-makers. Divided into eight thematic groups (education, sport, volunteering, inclusion, citizenship, participation, governance, mobility), the young people produced 24 proposals, 8 of which were selected and compiled into a policy paper submitted to the Council, the Commission, and the European Parliament (CULT Committee).
The central theme of this conference: the future of the Erasmus+ program for the period 2028–2034, in close connection with the European Solidarity CorpsThe young delegates defended a vision of a Erasmus+ more inclusive, more accessible and more rooted in civic life.
Key recommendations include:
- Guarantee a “youth chapter” with a dedicated budget of 15%, in order to support local, voluntary and democratic organisations — including in candidate countries EUYC Policy paper.
- Erasmus+ grants should be paid out before departure on mobility, in order to reduce economic inequalities between students and young workers.
- Create a separate “Erasmus+ Youth” section, with its own identity, budget and clear communication, to better promote youth, volunteering and non-formal education projects. EUYC Policy paper.
- Simplify administrative procedures, in particular through more accessible forms, human support and the use of clear language.
- To promote civic skills through non-formal education projects, intercultural dialogue and democratic engagement.
- Include preparedness, resilience and peace as cross-cutting priorities of the Erasmus+ programme
The plenary sessions reiterated that, while Erasmus+ is a powerful symbol of European unity, it must not become a program reserved for students from large cities or universities. Voices such as that ofAnneline LarsenVice-President of the Danish Youth Council, argued for an Erasmus+ program that also speaks to young people in rural areas, disadvantaged neighborhoods, and isolated regions. Non-formal education, volunteering, and local cooperation emerged as essential levers for bringing Europe closer to everyday life.
“Young people don’t just want to be consulted, they want to be heard,” he summarized. Rareș Voicu, president of the European Youth Forum, during the closing session. The challenge is now clear: that these 8 recommendations find their place in the next generation of the Erasmus+ program and be integrated into the conclusions of the Youth Council in November 2025. Behind the debates, a common message: to make Europe closer, fairer and more accessible to all its young people — including those in villages, rural areas and the periphery.
Source: Policy Paper – EU Youth Conference, Copenhagen 2025
