2025 Youth Policy Dialogue on Enlargement

Commissioner Marta Kos, with the support of the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) will hold the first EU Youth Policy Dialogue on Enlargement on 7-8 February 2025 in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, and Gorizia, Italy. The event will take place as part of the festivities and opening ceremony of the first ever cross-border European Capital of Culture in Nova Gorica/Gorizia. The young participants will have the opportunity to share their views, express their ideas, and engage in active discussions with Commissioner Kos and Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Micallef on EU enlargement from a youth perspective. These exchanges will contribute to shaping the EU’s enlargement policy and programming initiatives, ensuring that young people’s voices contribute to the process. Under the theme Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, Growing Together, the dialogue will touch upon young people’s priorities, including:

Breaking Barriers: Enhancing mobility for work and study across Europe,
Building Bridges: Advancing regional integration and cooperation,
Growing Together: Promoting peace, reconciliation, and intergenerational fairness.

In the coming years, regular youth dialogues with innovative formats and diverse participation will be organised to sustain the momentum and ensure continuous youth engagement in EU policymaking.

Purpose of the Dialogue

The EU’s enlargement policy is a cornerstone of the 2024-2029 Commission’s strategic vision, aiming to promote stability, prosperity, and democratic values across Europe. Engaging young people in this process is crucial to ensure that the benefits of enlargement—such as increased economic growth, enhanced energy security, and stronger geopolitical resilience—are fairly distributed among all members of society. By breaking down barriers, bridging borders, and fostering collaboration, young people are empowered to become active agents of change, shaping a more inclusive, integrated, and peaceful Europe.

This Youth Policy Dialogue underscores the EU’s commitment to empowering young voices and ensuring their meaningful participation in shaping the future of Europe. Together, we can build a more cohesive, resilient, and inclusive Europe, grounded in the shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

After the Dialogue

After the Youth Policy Dialogue, a follow-up report will be published, summarising the discussions and capturing the participants’ ideas. This report will include an Action Plan based on the recommendations from the breakout sessions, informing EU enlargement policy and programming initiatives. The report will be made available on the European Youth Portal and other relevant platforms. Participants will be encouraged to provide feedback, which will inform future Youth Policy Dialogues. As part of the Action Plan, opportunities for future engagement with young participants and their networks to facilitate ongoing collaboration, communication, and resource-sharing will be explored.