More than 100 young people from the EU, candidate countries and the UK gathered for Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS), the EESC's annual top youth event. They shared their visions and recommendations for the future of the European Union. With the EU elections approaching, YEYS 2024 prioritises combatting disengagement and promoting youth participation.

Key recommendations:

1. Introduce a youth quota for European Parliament elections.
2. Enact a directive mandating human rights and environmental considerations in supply chains and corporate operations.
3. Establish a legal framework for social media to combat polarisation and disinformation.
4. Develop a standardised strategy on sexual and reproductive rights.
5. Implement special taxation guidelines for climate-harming goods, with proceeds funding climate-friendly initiatives.

These proposals will be handed over to the EU institutions and policymakers and contribute to the output of Civil Society Week and to an EESC resolution on the upcoming European elections.(gb)