Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS) – a visit to high‑school students in Rijeka
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is once again organising the youth event Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS). This year’s theme is: “Meaningful Connections · Active Participation · Democratic Engagement.” Ahead of the event, EESC member Lidija Pavić Rogošić visited the First Croatian Gymnasium in Rijeka in early March to help prepare students and teachers for their participation.
YEYS – a pan‑European democracy laboratory
Every spring, Brussels becomes a meeting point for young people from across Europe. Since 2010, the EESC has opened its doors to students from EU Member States, candidate countries and the United Kingdom, inviting them into the very heart of European dialogue. YEYS is not just a gathering; it is a living laboratory of participatory democracy where ideas are transformed into recommendations that feed into the EESC’s consultative work.
In 2026, the event will bring together 137 participants. A total of 37 schools – one from each country – have been selected, along with 43 individual participants from an open call. They represent a diverse mix of youth councils, student unions, associations, advocacy groups and volunteer initiatives. Together, they form a vibrant pan‑European group connecting different parts of Europe, urban and rural communities, grassroots activism, academia and youth‑driven policymaking.
YEYS will take place on 19–20 March 2026 at the EESC premises in Brussels. The focus is on how young people can strengthen democracy through participation, dialogue and cooperation, and how they can engage in civic initiatives in their communities and beyond.
A visit to high‑school students in Rijeka
More than 50 students from the First Croatian Gymnasium in Rijeka and the School of Economics gathered at Ri‑hub. Lidija Pavić‑Rogošić presented the EESC, YEYS and the concept of sustainable development using interactive methods. Students answered questions about the EU and sustainability, and discussed how they can contribute to the quality of life in their community, for example through volunteering.
The visit was also an opportunity to meet student Viktoria Dovođa and teacher Ivana Zelenika, who will take part in YEYS in Brussels. Viktoria will meet peers from other countries, exchange views and help draft recommendations – a unique opportunity to understand how the EU works and to take part in a multicultural debate.
What will happen in Brussels?
YEYS consists of plenary sessions and interactive workshops, with conversation at its core. Facilitators use participatory leadership and Art of Hosting methods, which encourage inclusive dialogue and collective reflection on shared challenges.
Discussions will revolve around questions such as:
- What kind of Europe do young people want, and how can their perspectives shape policy?
- What does it mean to be an active citizen, and how can young people influence decision‑making?
- What are the opportunities and challenges of digital participation?
- How can social cohesion be strengthened and polarisation reduced?
- What role do young people play in climate action and sustainability?
- How can mental health be supported in the context of civic engagement?
Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their beliefs, expectations and priorities, to consider how they can contribute to achieving them, and to design concrete steps for cooperation and change. The highlight of the event is the plenary session, where actionable recommendations are drafted to reflect the hopes and priorities of young people across Europe.
The EESC’s Youth Group will forward these recommendations to the Committee as input to its advisory work and, where possible, integrate them into opinions assessing the impact of EU policies on young people.
YEYS 2026 is more than an event – it is a chance to meet peers from across Europe, learn from one another, debate and imagine the future. Most importantly, YEYS encourages participants to bring the spirit of Brussels back to their local communities, to turn ideas into action and to ensure that young people’s voices are heard where European decisions are made.
The event programme is available at https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/your-europe-your-say-2026/programme
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