The European Commission and the world’s largest youth organisations, the “Big Six”, announced a partnership today to launch the EU Youth Empowerment Fund, to be implemented through the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM). It marks the first anniversary of the Youth Action Plan for EU External Action, the EU’s policy framework for a strategic partnership with young people to build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.
Read the complete release here.
As a flagship initiative of the Youth Action Plan, and designed by, with and for young people, the EU Youth Empowerment Fund is a €10 million pilot initiative. It will provide and facilitate access to vital resources for young people to contribute to the sustainable development of their local communities and societies in EU partner countries across the world to reach the objectives of Agenda 2030, in line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
The Fund launched on 4 October 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, with the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen, World YMCA Secretary General Carlos Sanvee, the Chair of the GYM, and young leaders from across the world.
Said Jutta Urpilainen: “Countless young people have told me the biggest barrier to youth-led solutions is the lack of access to financing. The challenges are great, and young people must be the driving force that gets us back on track.”
Said Carlos Sanvee: “Young people want to stand up and be agents of change, and we are proud to embark on this journey with the EU”.