2024 Youth policy dialogue
The Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development organised the first EU Youth Policy Dialogue on 11 December 2024 in Brussels.
The young participants had the opportunity to share their views, express their ideas, and engage in constructive discussions with Commissioner Hansen on the future of the sector and policy. These exchanges will contribute to informing the forthcoming Vision for Agriculture and Food, to be presented in the first 100 days of the new mandate, as well as the strategy for generational renewal in agriculture. Discussions touched on young people’s priorities, including:
- economic viability of the sector,
- sustainability of the food system,
- generational renewal in farming and rural areas.
In the coming years, regular youth dialogues with innovative formats and diverse participation will be organised.
On 11 December 2024, Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, attended the EU Youth Policy Dialogue on 'Building together the future of farming, food, and rural areas' in Brussels, Belgium.
Participants
The participants for this first Dialogue were selected among the national membership of EU-level organisations active in agriculture, food, rural areas and environmental advocacy that are explicitly youth-led. The selection aimed at respecting gender and geographical balance. Participants will be below 40 years old in line with the age limit to qualify as a young farmer.
- Agroecology Europe Youth Network
- European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC) - Youth Community
- European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA)
- European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST) – Young EFFoST
- European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) – Youth Committee
- European Leader Association for Rural Development - (ELARD)
- The European Voice of Farmers and Agri-Cooperatives - (COPA-COGECA)
- International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences (IAAS)
- Organics Europe Youth Network (IFOAM)
- Rural Youth Europe
- Slow Food Youth Network
- Sunja Youth Association
- Young Friends of the Earth
After the dialogue
After the Youth Policy Dialogue, a report will be published as a follow-up that summarises the discussion and captures the participants’ ideas. This report will be made available on the European Youth Portal and the Citizens’ Engagement Platform. Participants will be asked to provide their feedback, which will inform future Youth Policy Dialogues.
European Union support for young people, wishing to take up farming. The common agricultural policy (CAP) 2023-27 provides for several interventions specifically for young farmers. EU countries tailor their measures to national conditions in their CAP Strategic Plans.
Young farmers in the EU can apply for CAP support to the managing authorities, which are listed in their country’s national CAP Strategic Plan. Most EU countries support generational renewal through CISYF under direct payments and via rural development funds call for application.
Rural communities
The CAP contributes to the sustainable development of rural areas. Rural development is the 'second pillar' of the common agricultural policy (CAP), reinforcing the 'first pillar' of income support and market measures by strengthening the social, environmental and economic sustainability of rural areas.
The Long-Term vision for EU’s rural areas
In 2021, the European Commission launched the Long-Term vision for EU’s rural areas by 2040, a communication aiming at supporting stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas. In this context, the rural vision has put in place:
- A rural action plan for the European Commission with several flagship actions supporting rural youth and opportunities
- The Rural Pact, providing a framework for cooperation between public authorities, civil society, businesses, academia and citizens, at the European, national, regional and local level.
In 2021, the European Commission launched the Rural Pact, as part of its Long-Term Vision for EU’s rural areas.
Purpose of the Dialogue
More needs to be done to keep the agricultural sector and rural communities alive. Strengthening the dialogue and including young people in policy discussions is important to build knowledge and awareness and empower youth to become agents of change.
Platform to contribute to EU policymaking
The EU Youth Dialogue is a dialogue mechanism between young people and decision makers taking place in the framework of the EU Youth Strategy 2019-27.
The primary objective of Youth Policy Dialogues is to provide a platform for young people to contribute to the EU's policymaking processes. This is part of a wider commitment to giving young people greater freedom and responsibility within European societies and democracies.
