The European Youth Parliament (EYP) is a unique educational programme which brings together young people from all over Europe to discuss current topics in a parliamentary setting. As a network of independent associations, EYP is present in 40 European countries with almost 600 events taking place every year. The EYP network organises almost 1.500 days of EYP activity every year, involving close to 35.000 participants.
About EYP
The European Youth Parliament’s mission is to inspire and empower young Europeans to become open-minded, tolerant and active citizens.
The EYP encourages independent thinking and initiative in young people and facilitates the learning of crucial social and professional skills. Since it was conceived in 1987, hundreds of thousands of young people have taken part in regional, national and international sessions, formed friendships and made international contacts across and beyond borders. The EYP has thus made a vital contribution towards European unity and bridging gaps between cultures.
Today the EYP is one of the largest European platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters, European civic education and the exchange of ideas among young people in Europe. The Berlin-based Schwarzkopf Foundation is the international umbrella organisation of the EYP.
EYP is a programme for young people, run by young people. We are proud to have over 3500 active volunteers all over Europe, running the EYP’s National Committees, organising events, chairing committees, acting as session journalists, in short, being the heart and soul of EYP and the reason for its existence.
The aims of the European Youth Parliament are to:
- Raise awareness of European issues, encourage active European citizenship and motivate students to get engaged in European politics.
- Promote international understanding, intercultural dialogue and diversity of ideas and practices.
- Contribute to the personal skills development of European youth.
- Provide a forum in which young people of Europe can express their own opinions, without reverting to role play.
