European Youth Capital 2023: Applications are open!
Would you like to know more? Get in touch!
Do you dream to #YouthUp your city in 2023? Now this is your chance as we are launching the call for applications to be the European Youth Capital 2023. Apply now!
The European Youth Capital is a title awarded by the European Youth Forum designed to empower young people, boost youth participation and strengthen European identity.
Each year, a new European city is given the chance to showcase its innovative ideas, projects and activities that aim to raise up young voices and bring a new youth perspective to all aspects of city life.
The European Youth Capital title will be awarded for the fifteenth time for 2023, having first been awarded to Rotterdam in 2009.
Why should a municipality apply to be the next European Youth Capital?
The European Youth Capital creates a positive impact in many areas:
- Opens up new opportunities
- Brings positive change
- Encourages active participation
- Promotes volunteering
- Fosters European identity
- Champions diversity and inclusion
- Strengthens youth organisations
- Boosts Investment in youth
- Amplifies ones voice in Europe
- Turns one into an international meeting point
- Connects young people
Want to know more?
Check out the “European Youth Capital: ten years of boosting vibrant youthful cities” report here.
What are the steps?
To secure the European Youth Capital title, applicant cities are asked to submit an application outlining their past performance in the youth field, their motivation, the key challenges facing young people, and a multi-faceted programme of activities designed to meet them. They must detail clear plans to empower and involve young people, continue and expand youth-related projects, and the longer-term impact of their proposed European Youth Capital year.
Up to five short-listed candidates will be selected by the Jury convened by the European Youth Forum. These candidates will be provided with feedback and recommendations as to how they can improve their applications, before a final winner is chosen and announced at the European Youth Forum’s Council of Members in November 2020.
How to apply?
Find here...
- The full call for European Youth Capital 2023 applications with all the relevant dates and details.
- The Concept Note application questionnaire.
- The Concept Note application form.
- The legal terms and conditions governing the competition, which should be signed and submitted together with other application documents.
Questions?
If you have any questions relating to the application and selection procedure, please contact the European Youth Forum’s Secretariat.
Related articles & publications
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?