Concept

About Your Europe, Your Say! 2026

Every spring, Brussels becomes a crossroads for youth voices from across Europe. Since 2010, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has opened its doors to young people from EU Member States, candidate countries, and the UK, inviting them to step into the heart of European dialogue.

The event, “Your Europe, Your Say!” (YEYS), is more than a gathering – it is a living laboratory for participatory democracy, a place where ideas are not just exchanged but transformed into recommendations that ripple through the EESC’s advisory and political work.

In 2026, YEYS will bring together 137 participants - secondary school students, their accompanying teachers, and young adults, associated with youth organisations, each selected for their motivation, diversity, and commitment to civic engagement.

The event will unfold over two days – 19 and 20 March, exclusively in English, at the EESC's premises in Brussels. Online participation is set aside in favour of face-to-face encounters, fostering genuine connections and collaborative energy.

For many, the road to YEYS begins with an open call for applications. Schools across Europe rally their most engaged students and young leaders, encouraging them to articulate why they want to be part of this experience. Likewise, young individuals - whether part of a youth organisation, a national youth council, or active as volunteers - are invited to share their motivation and submit their candidacy. Selection is not just about ticking boxes, it’s about finding those who have not only the right age or background, but a spark of motivation and a willingness to bring their communities along for the ride. The process is designed to be fair and inclusive, ensuring equal opportunities for students with disabilities, vocational education candidates, and those from all corners of Europe.

YEYS is structured around plenary sessions and interactive workshops, but its true magic lies in the conversations that happen in between. Facilitators use participatory leadership and “Art of Hosting” methods to create spaces where every voice counts. This is a highly effective way of harnessing the collective wisdom and self-organising capacity of groups of any size. Based on the assumption that people give their energy and lend their resources to what matters most to them, the methods blend powerful conversational processes to invite people to take charge of the challenges facing them.

The thematic focus for 2026 – soon to be defined - will be structured by the importance of the following key pillars, which remain timely and timeless:

• Shaping tomorrow > What kind of Europe do young people want to live in? How can their perspectives shape policy and society?
• Civic engagement & Participatory democracy > What does it mean to be an active citizen? How can youth influence decision-making at every level?
• Digital transformation, AI & Youth > What opportunities and challenges do digital participation bring?
• Social cohesion & Inclusion > How do we address polarisation and ensure everyone has a seat at the table?
• Climate action & Sustainability > What role can youth play in driving environmental change?
• Mental health & Wellbeing > How do we support each other on the journey of civic participation?

Participants will be encouraged to think carefully about their beliefs, expectations and priorities and how they can participate in delivering on them. Workshops are designed to spark debate, inspire new thinking, and encourage participants to imagine concrete steps for collaboration and change. The event culminates in a plenary where recommendations are crafted, not as abstract statements, but as actionable proposals that reflect the hopes and priorities of Europe’s youth.

Follow-up of YEYS 2026

YEYS doesn’t end when the last workshop closes. The follow-up is woven into the fabric of the event. Each school and participant commits to sharing their YEYS experience back home. How? Through presentations, local events, or social media. Students outline 1-3 concrete actions to promote civic and EU engagement, supported by their schools and amplified by the EESC. Likewise, young adults are invited to explore how to best maximise the event outcomes' outreach. These stories are shared using #YEYS2026, creating a digital tapestry of youth activism across Europe.

The EESC's Youth Group will follow-up by sharing the recommendations as potential input for advisory and political work carried out by the EESC. The Youth Group will also mention them in external events where possible and explore how to integrate them in the selected opinions going through the EU Youth Test at the EESC.

Travel and accommodation are arranged by the EESC, making it possible for participants to focus on the experience rather than logistics. Educational materials are provided in advance, and EESC members visit selected schools to prepare students and teachers for the journey.

YEYS 2026 is more than an event; it is a chance to meet peers from across the continent, to learn, debate, and dream together. And most importantly, it’s a commitment to carry the spirit of Brussels back to local communities, turning ideas into action and ensuring that youth voices continue to echo in the halls of European decision-making.