Voting at age 16, banning unpaid labor practices, or making mental health support available from adolescence a practical option—these ideas are gaining traction as youth voices push for influence on policy. Maria Rodriguez, hailing from Beniel, a small Murcia municipality with about 10,000 residents, has become a recognizable figure across Europe. At 26, she stands as the first Hispanic woman elected president of the European Youth Forum. During her two-year tenure, she plans to advocate for a generation that has weathered several economic shocks and an ongoing health crisis while still seeking a path for its future.
“We’ve often been overlooked, but it seems officials are beginning to recognize that youth must be part of decisions since Covid. Employment, housing, democratic representation, the climate emergency—these are just a few issues we want heard,” explains Ghent in an interview given to EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, a publication from the Prensa Ibérica group. A PhD in International Relations funded by Fundación La Caixa, Ghent emphasizes youth engagement as a core democratic imperative.
Yet the impact of youth advocacy can fade if policy makers fail to act. Aging European societies create a top-heavy population pyramid, which risks sidelining younger generations in political programs. One of the most important proposals discussed is lowering the voting age to 16. This move would channel more young voters into elections and ensure their concerns receive sustained attention, Rodríguez notes, pointing to steps already seen in countries like Austria, Malta, and Germany.
The consequences of ignoring youth voices were felt even at the heart of the European Union. For example, while a strong majority of 18- to 24-year-olds in the United Kingdom supported remaining in the EU, the country’s eventual Brexit decision reflected the preferences of older cohorts. The mismatch highlighted how critical youth engagement is to the long-term direction of policy.
Rodríguez laments that some parties have not even acknowledged straightforward issues such as youth unemployment. She will coordinate communications and policy suggestions for not only community organizations but all European youth groups in their dialogue with the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations.
3.7 million young people are unemployed
The latest EU youth employment report, published in 2021, showed youth unemployment at 16.8%, equating to roughly 3.7 million young people across the 27 EU member states. Southern European countries, including Spain, continue to exceed the EU average, with some rates above 30%, pressured by the economic aftershocks of the pandemic.
Additionally, the head of the European Youth Forum emphasizes that one in four people at risk of poverty in the EU are under 25. The generation faces a reality where emancipation from parental households often comes later, sometimes around age 29, and securing stable living conditions can be challenging amid uncertain wages and rising rents.
Over the past decades, housing costs have risen faster than salaries, eroding opportunities for young adults to own homes or secure durable employment. To address these barriers, the Forum has proposed measures such as free access to study tools and resources to support equal opportunity and fair pay for work. Spain’s 2023 Scholarship Regulation is cited as an example of policy changes aimed at expanding access to education and easing financial barriers for students.
Beyond economic measures, protecting youth mental health remains a priority. Expanding the reach and accessibility of mental health services is recommended, though securing consistent resources is a challenge because health qualifications are not always organized on a community basis. Rodríguez highlights the importance of addressing feelings such as disappointment and anxiety about independence, stable work, and financial security. Supporting young people in navigating these concerns is essential, especially in the wake of the pandemic, she adds.
In summary, the European Youth Forum advocates for inclusive political participation, robust employment support, affordable housing policies, and accessible mental health care to empower a generation poised to shape Europe’s future. This advocacy underscores the belief that youth should be at the center of policymaking, ensuring their perspectives inform decisions at the European level and beyond. The ongoing dialogue between youth organizations and institutions like the EU, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations is vital for turning these proposals into tangible results for today’s young people.