The new strategy "Youth - Investing and Empowering", acknowledges that young people are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, especially in the current economic and financial crisis, and in our ageing society, young people are a precious resource. the new strategy is cross-sectoral, with both short- and long-term actions.

The actions involve key policy areas that affect Europe's young people, particularly youth education, employment, creativity and entrepreneurship, social inclusion, health and sport, civic participation, and volunteering.

The new strategy also emphasises the importance of youth work and defines reinforced measures for a better implementation of youth policies at the EU level.

The strategy "Youth Investing and Empowering", which is a follow-up to the renewed social agenda announced by the European Commission in 2008, has the following goals:

  • to create more opportunities for youth in education and employment,
  • to improve access and full participation of all young people in society, and
  • to foster solidarity between youth and society.

Reference: An EU Strategy for Youth Investing and Empowering A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities. COM (2009) 200, 24.04.2009