The context
Linked to its UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status, GEYC is making efforts in building bridges across Europe's borders, by strengthening cross-regional cooperation and fostering meaningful connections between diverse communities situated at Europe's borders across the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region, and in the Special Territories of the EU member states.
Through various initiatives across all four portfolios, GEYC embodies the fundamental European values of inclusivity, intercultural dialogue, and democratic participation while addressing pressing challenges facing today's youth. By creating platforms for knowledge exchange and capacity building, GEYC empowers young people and civil society organizations to become agents of positive change in their communities. The organization's commitment to bridging geographical and cultural divides manifests through innovative methodologies that combine digital tools with hands-on learning experiences, enabling participants to develop critical thinking skills and counter harmful narratives.
We noticed that the young people living at the Europe’s borders share similar challenges and concerns:
- They feel disconnected from the European discussions, Brussels is seen as too far away from them and they feel that their voice doesn’t matter to European decision making. According to the 2022 Flash Eurobarometer on Youth, 58% of young people across Europe feel that their concerns are not adequately addressed by EU policies. This sentiment of exclusion is even more pronounced in rural and border regions, where civic engagement opportunities remain limited. Furthermore, only 46% of young people believe their opinions are taken into account in EU decision-making, highlighting a gap in youth inclusion at the European level.
- Most of the regions are facing economic development challenges, unemployment, their economy is dependent mostly on one sector: industry, agriculture or tourism, making them vulnerable to economic shocks. According to Eurostat, GDP per capita in the EU’s border regions was 86% of the EU average in 2021. Youth unemployment in these areas remains a pressing issue; as of February 2025, the youth unemployment rate in the EU was 14.5%, but in some border regions, it exceeds 20%. This economic fragility is compounded by limited diversification and cross-border administrative barriers, which further hinder economic growth and job creation.
- Most young people’s educational prospects often lead young people to migrate to larger educational hubs. Those who remain may find themselves limited to gigs and precarious jobs at the regional level, reflecting a lack of diverse employment opportunities and career advancement prospects. The European Commission’s 2023 report on "Brain Drain and Population Decline" highlights that rural and border regions are disproportionately affected by youth emigration, with some regions losing up to 10% of their youth population annually. Additionally, Europuls data shows that approximately 30% of young people in disadvantaged regions are engaged in temporary or part-time work, reflecting a lack of diverse employment opportunities and career advancement prospects.
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This publication has been created in the context of system development & outreach activities of the project Erasmus+ Youth Accreditation/2024-1-RO01-KA151-YOU-000208961. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.