Returning to the EU Youth Stakeholders Group in June 2026

Being part of the EU Youth Stakeholders Group gives me the opportunity to bring the experience of a youth-led organisation into a space where European youth policy is discussed directly with institutions and other stakeholders. In June 2026, I returned for the Group’s second meeting as a representative of One Hour for Europe.

A meeting point between policy and practice

The value of the Group is not simply that many organisations are present in the same room. It is the exchange between people who work with young people in different contexts and institutions responsible for turning priorities into policy and programmes.

For me, this means listening to perspectives from across Europe, contributing what I have learned through One Hour for Europe’s projects and activities, and considering how European initiatives are experienced by the young people and organisations they are intended to support.

Meeting Commissioner Glenn Micallef

The meeting included an exchange with Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport. His participation created a direct point of contact between the Stakeholders Group and the political leadership responsible for the youth portfolio.

That kind of conversation matters because youth participation is most useful when it is connected to real decision-making. It also creates a responsibility for representatives: to arrive prepared, to listen carefully, and to bring the discussion back to the organisations and communities they represent.

Taking part in the meeting as a representative of One Hour for Europe.

What I brought into the room

I approached the meeting from the perspective of a youth-led organisation working on participation, active citizenship, European mobility, and international cooperation. One Hour for Europe’s experience provides a practical reference point: how to reach young people, how to make European topics more accessible, and how to create activities in which participation is something people do rather than simply hear about.

At the same time, I joined the meeting ready to learn. The Group brings together a much wider range of experience than any single organisation can have. Hearing how others understand the same challenges is part of what makes the exchange valuable.

Continuing the work

The meeting reinforced my view that meaningful participation depends on continuity. A consultation or event is only one moment. The more important work is maintaining the connection between young people, civil-society organisations, and institutions over time—and making sure that the perspectives shared in the room continue to inform what happens afterwards.