On 12 August, we celebrate International Youth Day, a day dedicated to recognising the contributions of young people to society and raising awareness of the challenges affecting them around the world.

The theme of this year’s Youth Day is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”. While young people’s realities differ depending on their communities, countries and circumstances, many of their aspirations and challenges are shared. Across Europe and beyond, young people need access to quality education, work, meaningful participation, health and well-being, equal opportunities and a sustainable future.

Exploring different realities is essential to building solidarity and creating lasting change, and youth organisations are key actors in this mission. The EYF supports youth organisations by funding initiatives where young people from across Europe and beyond come together to exchange experiences, develop skills and work collectively on issues affecting their communities. Youth organisations are also places and spaces where young people learn to work together, accept different views and cooperate. Finally, youth organisations are active in their communities in revitalising democracy and safeguarding human rights.

Today, we celebrate the commitment, creativity, and resilience of young people and we remain a dedicated partner in supporting autonomous, independent, and agile youth organisations that drive positive change.

To discover more about the youth projects supported in recent years by the EYF, explore the awarded grants in 2026 and 2027 on our website, and check out the publications produced by NGOs as part of their EYF funded activities.