From 17–19 November 2025, the YES Forum "Connecting regional realities with European strategies" Policy Event, welcomed in Brussels more than 80 youth workers, young people, and professionals representing over 15 countries.
From 17–19 November 2025, the YES Forum gathered in Brussels for its annual Policy Event, welcoming more than 80 youth workers, young people, and professionals representing over 15 countries. Under the theme “Connecting regional realities with European strategies,” the three-day meeting offered an opportunity for grassroots actors to sit at the same table as EU officials working on key social-rights files such as the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, the Anti-Poverty Strategy, and the Youth Guarantee. Together, participants examined how insights from local communities and young people’s lived experiences can help shape stronger, more inclusive European policies.
The session on EU-level initiatives to enhance social rights for vulnerable young people opened with an intervention by Massimiliano Mascherini (Eurofound), who explored the many factors that can lead a young person to become NEET. He drew attention to labour-market mismatches, unequal access to digital tools, and other structural barriers, all of which underline the need for tailored approaches that empower vulnerable youth to adapt to changing employment landscapes.
Building on this, Urszula Romańska from DG EMPL (European Commission) outlined how the European Semester and the Youth Guarantee contribute to the EU’s objective of bringing NEET rates below 9% by 2030. She stressed that aspects such as gender identity and ethnic background remain central in determining young people’s opportunities but are often insufficiently addressed in policy responses.
A regional perspective was then presented by Csaba Borboly of the European Committee of the Regions, who drew from cases in rural Romania to illustrate the importance of investing in people, reinforcing youth participation, and recognising the specific challenges encountered by NEETs outside urban areas.
The panel concluded with Caroline Lercher Tauber of the Danube Youth Council, who underscored the need for youth to be actively involved from the outset of policymaking processes. Her contribution showed how structured youth participation can shift policy from a top-down exercise to a shared endeavour shaped by young people themselves.
During the ensuing dialogue with participants, reflections centred on the growing prevalence of mental health issues, especially among young women, and the need for policies that better reflect the realities of Roma youth. These exchanges highlighted the importance of grounding EU-level strategies in real experiences from the field.
From Policy to Practice: The Back on Track Experience
The event then shifted focus to practical implementation through the Back on Track project, funded by the Interreg Danube Region Programme. Julia Probst (ÖJAB, Austria) introduced the project’s overall mission: reaching and motivating rural NEETs by offering mentoring, strengthening core and life skills, and improving access to digital opportunities. This was complemented by Ákos Horváth (Human Innovation Group, Hungary), who shared emerging insights from the mentoring component, reflecting on both promising developments and remaining challenges.
Two young participants briefly described their journeys within the project, illustrating how consistent support and exposure to new opportunities are helping build their confidence. Their testimonies set the stage for roundtable discussions involving both partners and young people. Conversations touched on outreach methods, mentorship, talent development, and remote-work possibilities.
After the presentations, participants moved into roundtable discussions, giving partners the chance to exchange practices and hear directly from young people. Each table focused on one of the project’s core objectives (outreach, understanding NEETs needs, the mentorship programme, increasing awareness of remote working opportunities and upskilling NEETs), enabling diverse perspectives and fostering cross-organisational dialogue. Across the tables, one message stood out: supporting rural NEETs requires strong, trust-based cooperation at local level. Participants agreed that strategies must be adapted to each community’s particular context.
Bringing Local Perspectives to EU Institutions
The final day offered YES Forum members a closer look at EU decision-making through meetings with Members of the European Parliament. Delegations met with MEP Estelle Ceulemans (Belgium), MEP Marit Maij (Netherlands), and the office of MEP Maria Ohisalo (Finland). Discussions focused on improving support for disadvantaged young people, reinforcing the European Pillar of Social Rights, and safeguarding youth-related funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
At the same time, young participants joined the EU Up Close programme, gaining direct insight into how EU institutions operate and how young people’s interests can be represented at the European level.
Throughout the event, a consistent theme emerged: policies are most effective when those designing them engage directly with those affected by them. By linking EU priorities with the everyday realities of young people and youth workers, the YES Forum’s Policy Event reaffirmed the value of sustained dialogue in building a more inclusive and socially resilient Europe.
