The European Commission has been one of our strongest partners and supporters. Our cooperation ranges from short-term projects funded through Erasmus+ to programmes running for well over 20 years.

The Card for ESC Participants

Over the past 20 years, well over 100,000 young volunteers have received the EVS card and taken part in the programme. These volunteers have made a positive impact on communities and gained valuable skills and experiences that will benefit them in the future.

Moving forward, all European Solidarity Corps participants will receive a free European Youth Card. This card gives young people access to discounts and benefits across Europe, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Volunteering Awards. The European Commission and the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) are working together to ensure that the European Solidarity Corps is a success and that young people have the support they need to make a difference.

Find more information on the Card for ESC Participants here.

EU Youth Dialogue

The EU Youth Dialogue is a platform created by the European Commission in order to involve young people in the decision-making process of the European Union. The Dialogue allows young people to express their views and concerns on EU policies and to participate in the development of new policies and initiatives. The Dialogue is open to all young people aged between 16 and 30 who are resident in the European Union.

The programme is divided into two main phases: the online phase and the face-to-face phase. During the online phase, young people can express their opinions and ideas on different EU policies through an online platform. The face-to-face phase is an opportunity for young people to meet and discuss their views with representatives of the European Commission and other EU institutions.It also includes the Structured Dialogue, which is a series of meetings between young people and representatives of the EU institutions. The Structured Dialogue is organised at national, regional and European level, and it aims to provide young people with a direct and structured channel of communication with the EU institutions.

This is an important platform for young people to have their voices heard and to contribute to the development of EU policies. It allows young people to express their views and concerns on EU policies, and to participate in the decision-making process of the European Union. The EU Youth Dialogue is open to all young people aged between 16 and 30 who are resident in the European Union, and it is a great way for young people to make their voices heard and make a difference in the EU. As part of our commitment to support and encourage active citizenship, we work to engage young people in the EU Structured Dialogue - a form of joint policy making giving young Europeans the opportunity to shape youth policy. Through the Structured Dialogue, young people give their input on specific topics via online questionnaires, events and debates with policy makers at regional, national and European levels.

EYCA member organisations and the Association as a whole use the European Youth Card communication channels to encourage non-organised young people to take part in Structured Dialogue consultations. As a result, many of those engaged in the consultation phase of the process are European Youth Cardholders; in some cases, as many as 80%.

Click here more more information on the EU Youth Dialogue.

Previous cooperations 

The European Youth Card Association (EYCA) has been working closely with the European Commission for well over two decades on a wide variety of projects. This long-standing partnership between EYCA and the European Commission is a testament to the shared commitment of both organizations to promoting youth participation and engagement across Europe.

One of the most notable projects that EYCA has collaborated with the European Commission on is the provision of cards for EVS volunteers. For almost 20 years, EYCA has been providing European Voluntary Service (EVS) volunteers with the European Youth Card, which gives them access to discounts and benefits across Europe. This partnership has allowed thousands of young volunteers to have a more affordable and enjoyable experience during their time abroad.

Another significant project that EYCA has collaborated with the European Commission on is the Road Trip. This initiative is a pan-European campaign that encourages young people to travel and discover new places and cultures in Europe. The Road Trip is a great way for young people to learn about different cultures and to discover the diversity of Europe.

EYCA also cooperates with the European Commission in disseminating useful information to over 7 million cardholders. These cardholders are provided with information about EU policies and initiatives, as well as information about how to access benefits and discounts across Europe. This partnership allows EYCA to reach a wide audience of young people and to provide them with information that is relevant to their lives.