Media advisory: First Youth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Marta Kos

In an unprecedented opportunity for young people across Europe and beyond, Commissioner Marta Kos will host her first Youth Policy Dialogue on Enlargement “Breaking Barriers - Bridging Borders - Growing Together” on 7-8 February in Nova Gorica (Slovenia), together with Commissioner Micallef, making this a unique chance for youth to engage directly with three top EU leaders. 

The event brings together 40 young people (aged 18-30) from across the EU and all the EU’s candidate countries, as well as from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Belarus.  They will be able to express their views, raise questions, share their ideas and suggestions to the Commissioners, and contribute to shaping policies that matter to them—reinforcing the EU’s commitment to empowering its next generation. 

This milestone dialogue coincides with the historic launch of Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy) as the first-ever cross-border European Capital of Culture. Under the powerful slogan “GO! Borderless”, the two cities—once divided by history—now stand as a symbol of unity, cooperation, and a shared European future.

As part of the dialogue, the young participants will take part in the Walk of peace where they will learn more about the region’s history that surrounds them, and why its story of reconciliation & bridging borders is symbolic to the dialogue in which they will participate.

This is more than just a discussion—it's a moment where young voices can shape the Europe of tomorrow.

Photographs of the dialogue & the Commissioner’s mission will be available on EbS and on Flickr.

The opening of the Youth Policy Dialogue “Breaking Barriers - Bridging Borders - Growing Together” with introductory remarks by Commissioner Kos, Commissioner Micallef and the participants, taking place on 8 February at 09:30- 10:15 am will be open for media attendance – journalists are welcome to attend.

Commissioner Kos will also join Minister of Culture, Asta Vrečko and Commissioner Micallef at a press point at 13:00 pm at Hotel Perla, MIC Cankarjeva 8, Nova Gorica.

To register as a journalist to the opening session of the Youth Enlargement Dialogue please send an e-mail to Maarten [dot] Lemstraec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Maarten[dot]Lemstra[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) and David [dot] Bauerec [dot] europa [dot] eu (David[dot]Bauer[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) by 05 February, 17:00, with the following information: full name, media, nationality, 

Members of the press who wish to cover the opening celebrations of the European Capital of Culture are requested to accredit separately by 3 February at the address anja [dot] zupancgov [dot] si (anja[dot]zupanc[at]gov[dot]si) (Government office for communication, Republic of Slovenia).