A European Youth Parliament for a vibrant European Public Sphere

Initiative developed in the framework of the Daring New Spaces programme by Das Progressive Zentrum.


Goal

For a vibrant European public sphere, youth inclusion and the recognition of the universal rights of children and teenagers to express themselves politically is crucial. For this purpose, young people must have a persistent and institutionally guaranteed voice, so that current policy-makers are always consulted by future generations.

Status quo

  • As of now, children and youth do practically not have access to political processes on a European level. This needs to change.
  • Whilst measures such as lowering the voting age surely contribute to increased political participation, they do not root out the systemic discrimination of young people in European politics that prevails within the party-political systems and the institutional configuration of the European institutions.
  • Young people are currently only represented through complicated means of youth organisation consultations; meanwhile, institutional offers and dialogues often offer too little access and have not so far led to any significant involvement of young people; the follow-up and the realisation of young people’s ideas lies entirely at the discretion of few administrative officials.

Vision

  • In 2025, every child and teenager under the age of 18 has the right to elect a representative to a European Youth Parliament.
  • The European Youth Parliament has its official seat on the premises of the European Parliament, and is constituted of 200 representatives between the ages of 13-26, who are elected for two years.
  • The European Youth Parliament assembles monthly on a rotating basis in Strasbourg and throughout the entire Union.
  • The European Youth Parliament advises the European Parliament; it can propose legal initiatives to the European Commission, which promises to initiate the relevant legislative procedure. It shall have the right to elect two extraordinary Members to each Committee of the European Parliament.
  • Decisions in the European Parliament on youth policy, climate policy, and on matters of existential concern to future generations are conditional upon the European Youth Parliament’s approval.

Realisation

  • This is made possible and codified through an agreement between the European Parliament, representatives of the European Youth Parliament, and the European Commission.
  • The European Youth Parliament possesses over support staff who facilitate the smooth conduct of the Youth Parliament’s sessions similarly to the European Parliament’s Directorate-Generals. Members of the European Youth Parliament may make full use of the EPRS to the same extent as Members of the European Parliament.
  • Members of the European Youth Parliament can fill their position on a full-time or part-time basis. In case of choosing to continue education/other work besides the parliamentary role, they shall be entitled to employ additional individual support staff.
  • Representatives shall receive a remuneration/salary in addition to any accumulating work-related costs.
  • Candidates are elected individually by popular vote.

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