Key points
The EESC:
- points at the need to improve youth participation, tackling in particular the lack of youth democratic representation and the lack of a youth perspective outside of the traditional youth policy domain;
- considers education as one of the most effective ways of reaching out to young people to inform them about the possible forms of participation and the values the European project represents;
- encourages EU institutions and Member States to implement measures and mechanisms that ensure that the youth perspective is taken into account in every policy field. Participation in civil and democratic life has to be strengthened at all levels to ensure Europe's future prosperity;
- believes that young people's participation in policy and decision-making processes can support better regulation and policies. Suitable resources should be made available for meaningful youth participation in policy-making;
- believes an EU Youth Test should be part of the Better Regulation Toolbox as a separate tool, since future generations and young people deserve specific attention;
- points out that the EU Youth Test should not substitute meaningful engagement with young people in general and should complement existing participatory mechanisms. Participatory mechanisms should be inclusive and communicated in such a way as to reach a diverse public and those who are hard to reach;
- agrees that CSOs can play a critical role in engaging young people in societal challenges, and therefore in their participation in policy-making and the democratic process;
- will seek to enhance the internal engagement of young people and youth organisations in its work and will further explore possible ways to apply the EU Youth Test concept to develop a consistent approach on youth involvement in the EESC.