Deadline: 6-Feb-23
Do you think your city has what it takes? Each year, one European city is given the opportunity to showcase its innovative ideas and projects done by, and for young people, improving youth participation across the continent. The European Youth Capital title is bringing communities together since 2009, creating liveable city ecosystems for young people. Apply now to become the next European Youth Capital.
The European Youth Capital (EYC) is a title awarded by the European Youth Forum designed to empower young people, boost youth participation and strengthen European identity.
Each year, a new European city is given the chance to showcase its innovative ideas, projects and activities that aim to raise up young voices and bring a new youth perspective to all aspects of city life.
From public transport and infrastructure, to cultural and educational programmes and democratic policy-making the European Youth Capital title invites cities across the continent to rethink how they engage with and include young people.
Applicant cities are invited to be creative and push the boundaries of what they want to achieve through this process. The different chapters don’t ask direct questions, the aim is to give applicants the possibility to present their own unique perspective and goals, but at the same time to give the Jury a well-rounded picture of the scope, intent and feasibility of each proposal.
Themes and Key Elements
Applicants should assess feasibility of a proposed concept and emphasize the added value the title would bring to the applicant city and not only in the youth field. As such, the key themes and focus of the proposed EYC year are ultimately the decision of the applicant city and the young people therein. However, there are certain key elements that are essential to any application for the EYC title:
- Youth Participation: Young people should be at the heart of any EYC application. This applies to the design of the application itself, the development of the programme, and the governance and implementation structures of the proposed EYC year – in every step of the application process it should be clear to the Jury that young people are at the core of it.
- The applicant should outline in a clear way how the title would benefit young people in the city, and their engagement in the development of the proposal.
- Co-decision-making: Youth participation is important not only in developing the proposal, but also in terms of how the EYC year will work in practice. This should not be solely a municipal initiative – it must be developed and delivered in an equal partnership between the municipality, local youth organisations and the city’s young people.
- Cities that are willing to genuinely hand over the reins and trust young people with responsibility will fare best, striking a balance between offering the necessary support and resources while empowering young people to jointly manage the implementation of the EYC year.
- European Dimension: A key goal of the EYC initiative is to emphasize and strengthen the relationship between the European and local levels, and this is an important aspect of any proposal.
- The proposed EYC year should include clear links to the European level, particularly in terms of common European processes and objectives, and especially regarding youth policy, as well as policies of the European Youth Forum. It should also seek to create an opportunity for young people at the local level to discuss European topics, foster their European identity and inspire other cities in the country, and beyond national borders, to develop a better environment for young people, and thus bring a long-term change to cities across Europe.
Funding Information
There is no direct funding provided by the European Youth Forum to the European Youth Capitals. However, the Awarded City is free to seek additional funding or partnerships in support of its programme. Past holders of the title secured funding from both institutional and private funders based on their commitment to support youth in their cities.
Eligibility Criteria
- The European Youth Capital competition is open to any Local Authority from Member States of the Council of Europe, which are parties to the European Cultural Convention adopted in 1954 in Paris.
- A local authority is defined as a municipality or group of municipalities located in a common geographical area, such as a metropolitan area.
For more information, visit European Youth Forum.