Applications to be the European Youth Capital 2025 are now open!
Do you think your city has what it takes?
Each year, one European city is given the opportunity to showcase its innovative ideas, projects and activities that contribute to the involvement of young people in all aspects of city life.
The European Youth Capital title will be awarded for the 17th time for 2025, having first been awarded to Rotterdam in 2009, and last to Ghent, as the European Youth Capital 2024.
Would you like to know more? Get in touch!
Get ready to apply!
To participate in the competition to become the European Youth Capital of 2025, cities must submit an application together with a local youth organisation, outlining their past performance in the youth field, their motivation, and an initial plan for the year.
Up to five short-listed candidates will be selected by an expert Jury that will provide feedback and recommendations as to how they can improve their applications, before a final winner is chosen and announced at the European Youth Capital Award Ceremony in November 2022.
Deadline to apply: 21 February 2022 (23:59 CET)
Application Documents
1. Call for Application: download here
2. 2025 first round application questionnaire: download here
3. 2025 first round application form: download here
4. Legal terms and conditions: download here
5. DRAFT Cooperation agreement: download here
6. 2025 selection process timeline: download here
7. European Youth Capital policy toolkit: download here
Why should a municipality apply to be the next European Youth Capital?
Young people must have an equal opportunity to shape the social, economic and political life in their community. They bring fresh ideas, they rejuvenate local democracy, and their contributions benefit all of the city’s residents. The European Youth Capital project supports both young people and the city to open up these possibilities and lead the way for other European municipalities to follow.
Around the year of the European Youth Capital, the winning city engages young people and celebrates their contributions to urban life. The title allows the city to showcase its commitments and engage residents in inclusive co-creation. It leads to stronger support for youth and their rights, and it improves connection with other European cities which prioritise their young residents.
The application process itself is also an opportunity for municipalities and youth organisations to work together, discuss youth priorities, and receive feedback from an expert group on their proposals.
Want to know more?
Check out what it means to hold the title and the positive impact it can bring to your city: “European Youth Capital: ten years of boosting vibrant youthful cities”.
Videos from European Youth Capitals:
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How Lviv and its young people are changing the culture of education
In Lviv, the European Youth Capital 2025, learning has long gone beyond school desks and university lecture halls. It begins where curiosity meets courage: with the desire to explore, try, make mistakes, improve and create something new. It is precisely this vision of education that has shaped one of the key directions of the European Youth Capital 2025 programme, as well as the new Lviv youth strategy, which will guide the municipality’s work on youth in the years to come.
Fresh Faces, Big Decisions: General Assembly 2025 wraps up in Brussels
On May 9 and 10 2025, hundreds of young people gathered in Brussels for our General Assembly (GA). They all came together for two days of democratic decisions, in depth discussions and conversations around the issues that really impact and matter to young people all over Europe.
Join the European Youth Capital 2028 Focus Group
Do you have experience in fostering young people's participation in cities? Have you implemented European youth policies at a local level, or through the European Youth Capital title?