A notice of meeting and provisional agenda published by the Council of the European Union schedules a meeting of its Youth Working Party for 2 July 2026. The agenda includes a presentation and discussion of a Presidency consultation paper on the next EU Youth Strategy, as well as first examinations of draft conclusions on promoting youth spaces for young people in Europe and on empowering young people in an evolving information environment.
The meeting, convened under the current Council Presidency, will open with the adoption of the agenda, followed by information from the Presidency on current developments and from the European Commission on relevant initiatives. The core of the session is dedicated to shaping the future EU Youth Strategy, which will set funding and policy priorities for youth engagement across member states. The Presidency consultation paper is expected to outline strategic directions and solicit input from member states.
Two sets of draft conclusions will be examined for the first time. The first, documented in reference 10527/26, focuses on promoting youth spaces — both physical and digital — to enhance social inclusion and participation. The second, in document 10524/26, addresses empowering young people in an evolving information environment, tackling challenges such as misinformation and digital literacy. These conclusions, once adopted by the Council, would provide non-binding but influential guidelines for national youth policies.
The meeting also includes an "any other business" segment, allowing members to raise additional topics. The outcomes of this working party will feed into higher-level Council discussions and potentially lead to formal Council conclusions later in the year.
The agenda directly affects EU youth policy bodies and national authorities responsible for youth affairs, as they will coordinate on harmonized approaches. Youth organizations and civil society groups may see increased support for youth spaces and digital literacy programs. Young people across the EU stand to benefit from enhanced participation opportunities and protection against misinformation. No immediate impact on business or industry sectors is anticipated, as the measures are policy-oriented rather than regulatory.
Following the working party's discussions, the draft conclusions will be revised and submitted to the Council's Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) configuration for adoption. The consultation on the next EU Youth Strategy will inform a Commission proposal expected in the coming months.