Young European Shapers

forthcoming

The Young European Shapers (YES) network, coordinated by ILKSENOL Youth Movement, unites 17 youth organizations from 13 countries to empower young people as active citizens across Europe. Established in 2019, ILKSENOL leads a structured network focusing on two key themes: volunteerism and youth participation, targeting both youth NGOs and individual young leaders. The network’s mission is to strengthen institutional capacities, promote European quality standards, and foster solidarity among youth organizations. YES aligns closely with EU youth policy priorities, including the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). YES implements activities such as capacity-building workshops, youth exchanges on SDGs, policy labs, mentoring, and digital skills training. It emphasizes inclusion, supporting marginalized youth, and promotes democratic engagement through forums and advocacy training. The project integrates horizontal priorities like digitalization, climate action, and diversity, enhancing youth competencies as digital creators and changemakers. Key initiatives include the Facilitator Academy, the Brussels Youth Mission, and a European Youth Networks Day to strengthen cooperation and policy influence. Communication efforts target young people and youth workers via social media, podcasts, local events, and multilingual materials, ensuring high visibility of EU funding and values. By fostering youth participation in policymaking, building capacity, and disseminating good practices, YES aims to create sustainable impact, promote active citizenship, and contribute to a just, inclusive, and democratic Europe.