How European initiatives are shaping the future of young people across the continent.

This article is part of our project on European identity

Every year thousands of young Europeans pack their bags, excited to study, work, or volunteer abroad. How can they do that? Through the mobility programs of the European Union (EU). Maybe you have heard of Erasmus+, which allows young people to study in a different country for a semester or a year. But many more programs that can help young Europeans are slightly less known. If you have ever wondered how, when and for which programs to apply, and how the EU’s institutions support and finance them, keep reading!

Young People and mobility are both very important concepts for the EU, as can be seen in the Strategy for Youth. Accordingly, mobility is encouraged through funding and logistical support. In the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, the Commission has allocated more than €27 billion for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). It has supported many more projects, allowing young EU citizens to move, learn new languages, and gain unforgettable experiences abroad. This fosters European spirit, citizenship, and identity and contributes to creating an image of the EU as a space of opportunity, unity, and cultural exchange. However, while this image appeals to participants and policymakers, it may seem elitist or inaccessible to those who face barriers to mobility and third countries, highlighting the need for more inclusive and accessible policies.

This article explores the EU’s role in promoting youth mobility, the available programs, their connection to European identity and practical tips from an experienced traveller. 

EU’s commitment to mobility 

While youth policy is mainly in the hands of EU Member States with strategies in employment and education, the EU supports young people across various policy areas through jobs, internships, traineeships and mobility programs, such as the ESC or Youth Policy Dialogues.

The EU’s commitment to youth is expressed in the EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027), which was adopted in 2018 by the EU Council on the Commission’s proposal. Youth cooperation aims to maximize youth potential, foster young participation in democratic life, support social and civic engagement, and ensure that all young people have the resources to participate effectively and successfully in society. 

The strategy has four general objectives. First, for young people to become “architects” of their own lives, supporting their professional development and growth and building their resilience. Second, to equip these young people with the resources to become active citizens, agents of solidarity and positive change. Third, to improve youth impacting policies in employment, education, health and social inclusion. Last, to work for the eradication of youth poverty and discrimination. To do so, the Council has agreed to act on three fronts: to engage (through EU Youth Dialogue and Youth Policy Dialogue), to connect (with Erasmus+ and ESC),  and to empower (via the European Youth Work agenda). 

The Strategy specifies that all European Youth Policy actions have to be rooted in the international system of human rights. This includes applying the principles of equality, non-discrimination, inclusion and participation. It also reiterates the commitment to a dual approach, both implementing specific youth initiatives at European, national, and local level and mainstreaming cross-sector initiatives. 

The relevance of youth for the EU is confirmed by the new Commission, established at the end of 2024. This is reflected in the roles of two Commissioners: Roxana Minzatu (Romania), responsible for social rights and skills, quality jobs, and preparedness, and Glenn Micallef (Malta), in charge of intergenerational fairness, youth, culture, and sport. The Directorates General (DGs) interested are DG EAC, for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, and DG EMPL Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. The Von Der Leyen II Commission has highlighted the strategic priority to support young people, working to safeguard the rights of minorities, strengthen Erasmus+, and organise Youth Policy Dialogues.  

The policy relevance of youth is complemented by the funding dedicated to Youth Mobility Projects in the MFF 2021-2027. The EU budget for 7 years, has various headings, financing different policies and programmes. The second heading, for people, social cohesion and values, includes the investment for Erasmus+ and ESC, allocating respectively € 26.51 billion and € 1.01 billion. 

Programs and Tips 

The most useful tool for finding opportunities in the EU is the European Youth Portal, designed by the European Commission to collect all initiatives, events and resources for youth up to 35 years old and available in all languages of the EU. 

In the EU initiatives section, you can find the ESC, Discover EU, Young Journalists in Europe, EU Youth Dialogue, Erasmus+, European Youth Week and Eures. In this next part, we will explore the different initiatives and what they entail.

European Solidarity Corps (ESC) 

ESC is a project that helps young people (18-30) in taking part in positively impactful social initiatives either in their own country or abroad. Participants can engage in solidarity projects and humanitarian aid volunteering, for a duration from 2 weeks to 12 months. It is available in all EU countries, as well as in the Eastern Partnership countries, EU Southern Neighbourhood and candidate countries. The projects are various, involving developing skills in project management, communication, writing tasks and non-formal education in companies, NGOs and governmental institutions. Some examples include working with sustainability, youth work, animals, children, or individuals with disabilities. Participants in an ESC Project are provided accommodation, a refund for travel tickets and a monthly allowance to cover groceries and lifestyle. 

The application process is well explained in the youth portal. It requires a thorough analysis of the available projects, a CV and usually a motivation letter or a written form. Exactly as in a job application, you will be asked for an interview and possibly a written assignment.  

Discover EU

Discover EU is a contest that offers 18 year olds the chance to travel around Europe. The prize is a cumulative ticket, financed through Erasmus+, that can be used in trains across Europe for a month. Applications are open twice a year, for individuals 17 and 18 years old and the process includes answering five questions on the EU. The selection is open to citizens of member states of the EU, as well as to citizens from Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye. 

Youth Policy Dialogue 

The Policy Dialogue is a mechanism to enable young people to express their points of view on EU policy initiatives and legislative proposals by providing a space for interaction with Commissioners, intending to integrate first-hand youth ideas into the EU’s political agenda. Participants are mainly invited by the Commissioners based on their backgrounds and roles. The new Commission, confirming its commitment to youth engagement, has pledged to do 27 policy dialogues in the first 100 days from its establishment.

EU Youth Dialogue 

The Youth Dialogue is a similar dialogue mechanism between young people and decision-makers from the Council of the EU. It has a main topic of discussion for 18-month work cycles, according to the Council, and the participants work on a specific policy area. The last one, which ended in December 2024,  had a topic called “We need youth”, in full alignment with the three main core areas of the Strategy. It is possible to take part in the initiative as an organisation or as an individual, applying to the National Youth Council. The application has to be sent according to national guidelines to the national competent person. You can find who that is on this list. 

Young Journalists in Europe (YJE)

YJE is a project for young journalists to submit articles and podcasts, and to participate in a cooperative pool of experts. The content is then published in the European Youth Portal. The goal is to have young voices involved in the EU. The latest available contributions are on the topic of sustainability, feminism and AI, so there’s something to read for everyone! The project is run annually and the application process usually closes at the end of October of the preceding year. 

Erasmus+ 

Erasmus+ is the EU Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport. While mainly known for the study exchanges, it gives opportunities for youth, students, youth workers, trainees, staff and adult learners. Applications to participate in an exchange to study, intern, or write a thesis abroad have to be researched in the university or institution of reference website, following their process and application procedures. The Erasmus+ entails a scholarship that financially supports the participant and an online platform for language learning. The university usually provides more possibilities for funding, depending on the socio-economic background of the participant. 

European Youth Week 

The Youth Week is a week-long event with workshops and activities for young people. It is organised by the European Commission every second year to celebrate and promote youth engagement, participation and active citizenship all over Europe and beyond. The last one was in 2024 with the theme “Democracy and European Elections”, and the next will be in 2026. 

Eures

Lastly, Eures is a very useful resource: it is the employment portal for professional opportunities in Europe, for both job seekers and employers. As a job seeker, you can look at positions all over the EU, access practical information on standards of living in different countries, and participate in the European Online Job Days. As an employer, you get the possibility to hire across the EU through a single platform.  

Besides the opportunities financed by the Commission, the European Parliament also has a Youth Hub, with opportunities for study visits, online dialogues and events to foster understanding of the functioning of the institution.

EU Mobility and European Identity

Having outlined the many programs existing today, this section of the article further explores how mobility projects foster a sense of European identity. 

Youth mobility programs are powerful tools for the EU to cultivate a European spirit and a shared identity for its citizens. Initiatives such as Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps create opportunities for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between participants. By engaging with diverse lifestyles, languages, and traditions, those who participate in the programs can develop a deeper appreciation for the shared values that unite Europe and understand the diversities within the EU.

The programs are more than just a trip or education; they cultivate a collective European spirit by promoting inclusivity, democracy, and solidarity. Interaction with peers from various backgrounds can also help to eliminate stereotypes and foster an environment of mutual respect. Many participants return home as proud ambassadors of these values, contributing to a stronger sense of unity and shared purpose across the EU. 

The EU takes pride in the accessibility of its programs, as they aim to include young people from all socioeconomic backgrounds through scholarships. While funding ensures many opportunities are financially viable, the experiences also teach participants to adapt and thrive in new environments.

Moreover, these programs offer tangible benefits, such as language learning, career development, and personal growth. By engaging in cross-border collaboration, participants witness firsthand the importance of European solidarity in addressing global challenges, especially in the European Solidarity Corps projects.

Ultimately, EU mobility programs transform the idea of Europe from a distant political construct into a lived reality, a space of shared values, learning, opportunities, and belonging. Through these experiences, young people embody and contribute to the vibrant, interconnected European identity that lies at the heart of the EU’s vision and that the EU has struggled to disseminate. The struggle arises from strong national affiliations, unequal access to mobility programs, limited outreach beyond urban and educated youth, communication challenges, and the rise of Eurosceptic narratives. Additionally, language barriers, a weak European civic education, geographical disparities, and slow crisis responses (check out our article on natural disaster management) have further hindered the sense of European belonging, making mobility programs essential in transforming the EU from an abstract concept into a lived experience.

Call to action 

Lastly, I want to give constructive advice and suggestions to both young Europeans and the EU, in particular the Commission, on how to improve its programs. 

Young Europeans: as a person who has taken advantage of these opportunities, I encourage you to explore all of your possibilities and apply for these programs, because they will give you invaluable experiences, international friends and new opportunities. These mobility programs can shape your career and identity, and help to build a European network. As someone that has travelled across to the Netherlands and Spain thanks to the many opportunities that the EU gives, I can only advise you all, fellow young Europeans, to take advantage of it and go abroad!

While it may seem redundant, my best advice to apply for these programs is to find as much information as you can about the program and project you want to participate in. Do the application in advance and with precision and attention and don’t get discouraged if the selection turns out to be harder than expected. Don’t give up, continue to apply and go on your European adventure! 

While you are abroad, do all the activities that you can, take advantage of the language classes, meet as many people as possible and go out of your comfort zone to embrace the change. It is also important to remember not to stress yourself. It can happen to have bad days or not feel at home (immediately) in a new city or country – it is just part of the process. Reach out to the available peers or supervisors. 

For the EU, the effort should be directed at improving the accessibility and inclusivity of the programs, while enhancing their visibility. 

First, these programs must be accessible to participants from all backgrounds, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. The goal is to ensure equal participation for everyone, which is why Erasmus+ grants are determined based on the destination country. Additionally, institutions provide extra financial support, but this does not always guarantee that all young people can take part. The funding remains too low to ensure a comfortable standard of living in higher-cost countries, especially as prices continue to rise. As a result, participants often have to resort to working or borrowing money, which should not be necessary if the goal is truly to make the program accessible to all. To do so, the Commission has to periodically review the funding given to the participants in the projects to reflect inflation, the country of origin and exchange, and living status. The financial contribution, vital for the participants, has to be adjusted for everyone to be able to participate in these life-changing projects. 

Second, while some of these programs are widely known, such as Erasmus+, others are only known by experts or by those who stumbled upon them. The EU should work to improve dissemination and visibility of these initiatives, at an international, national and local level. The audience reach can be expanded through social media coverage, and presentations in high schools, youth and educational centres. 

In conclusion, the EU’s mobility programs are a gateway to endless opportunities for young people to grow, connect, and contribute to creating a shared European identity. By improving accessibility, visibility, and support, the EU can ensure that these invaluable experiences reach every young person across the continent. So, take the leap, explore, learn, and become part of the vibrant European community that shapes our future. The journey starts with you!

Valeria Santi holds a Master’s degree in European Policy from the University of Amsterdam and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences from the University of Bologna, with a specialisation in International Relations.

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