With the enactment of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament has become a powerful co-legislator with a decisive role in shaping European policies. As a result, voting in the elections gives every citizen the opportunity to influence the composition of the Parliament and respectively, the decisions taken over its five year mandate.
This May, the European citizens went to the polls to cast their votes and elect the new EP. What was the result from these elections? Low turnout, which indicates a state of voters’ apathy in the EU. Next to it, a significant number of right Eurosceptics made it to the EP. The conclusion? Many citizens do not feel they can influence the policy agenda of the European executives and focus on national politics.
EYAG wants to change this perception and facilitates the communication between the European citizens and the MEPs. As a pan-European network of volunteers, who work together to express the ideas and needs of young people across the EU, EYAG focuses on their situation in light of the newly elected Parliament.
“Young Citizens’ Perspectives: Addressing Youth Opportunities in the EU” is a new initiative, which will explore the challenges and opportunities currently faced by young Europeans.