Video message by President von der Leyen opening the European Youth Event 2026

Dear Young Europeans,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to European Youth Week. This week is about you. Today, you join more than a thousand young people from across our continent – to exchange views, to debate, and to reflect on the future Union you want to see. Because Europe is more than a place. It is a shared vision – carried forward by each generation. And today, this responsibility is yours. Jacques Delors once said: “How can we ever build Europe if young people do not see it as a vision of their own future?” He was right then - and it is even more true today. For Europe to succeed, young people must be at its heart.

That is why we are focusing on the issues that matter most in your daily lives. We are working to ensure that the industries and jobs of the future are built here in Europe – so that you can thrive and build your lives here at home. We are investing in education, with a proposed increase of almost 50% for Erasmus+ in our next long-term budget, so that you have the skills to succeed in rapidly changing workplaces. And we are tackling, for instance, the housing crisis across Europe with our Affordable Housing Plan, because your generation deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.

Of course, these policies will only succeed if they are developed with you, not just for you. That is why we are placing your voice at the centre of our work. Through our Youth Dialogues, your ideas are already shaping our policies. And we are strengthening youth representation at the highest levels. We now have a Commissioner dedicated to Youth, who you will hear from shortly, as well as a Youth Advisory Board reporting directly to me. This is about building a true two-way exchange – ensuring your voices are part of every decision that affects your future.

Dear friends,

In a rapidly changing world, more Europeans than ever understand that we are stronger when we act together. All of you here embody that spirit. You are the generation that will write the next chapter of Europe's story. So, use this moment. Speak up. Change the conversation. And help shape the Europe you want to live in. I wish you an inspiring and engaging Youth Week. And I look forward to hearing your ideas and learning from your discussions.

Thank you very much.

And long live Europe.