Last week, LYMEC took part in the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum in Tromsø, the 2026 European Youth Capital. Represented by Willemijn Krans and Even Diot as a full member delegation, LYMEC joined youth organisations from across the continent for one of the most important gatherings of the European youth sector.
The Assembly opened with the election of a new Board for the Forum, led by Caillum Hedderman (World Organisation of the Scout Movement). LYMEC congratulates Caillum Hedderman on his election as President, alongside Vita Davydova from the Young European Greens, Daria Burii from the National Youth Council of Ukraine, and all newly elected Board members who will lead the organisation through the next mandate.
Delegates also elected members of the Financial Control Committee and the Consultative Body on Membership Applications (CBMA). Congratulations to our PPYO colleague Žiga Ciglarič from the Youth of the EPP, whose mandate got renewed in the CBMA. Throughout the General Assembly, Political Parties’ Youth Organisations worked closely together to support common priorities and ensure that their perspectives were reflected in the discussions and outcomes of the Forum.
A key part of the Assembly focused on the mid-term review of the Youth Forum’s Strategic Plan 2024–2028. As the document continues to shape the Forum’s work in the years ahead, LYMEC stressed the importance of ensuring that it remains responsive to the evolving priorities of youth organisations across Europe. Over the coming months, LYMEC will continue working with the Youth Forum to advocate for stronger attention to security and digitalisation as Europe faces growing geopolitical and technological challenges.
Housing policy has become one of the most important topics the youth forum focuses on. LYMEC asked to have more attention for homeownership opportunities for young people instead of solely focusing on social housing, rentals and student housing. On sustainability, we advocated for a stronger focus on innovation and support for green start-ups. In discussions on social and economic inclusion, LYMEC highlighted the importance of mental health, women’s rights, and LGBT+ rights as key priorities for the European youth sector.
During the Assembly, LYMEC presented the motion Reclaiming Our Future: Youth at the Heart of Pension Systems, together with the International Federation of Liberal Youth, the Finnish National Youth Council and Youth Sector FYCS. The motion calls for pension systems across Europe to better reflect the realities of today’s labour market, ensure meaningful youth participation in decision-making, promote flexible retirement pathways, and address structural inequalities that continue to affect pension systems across the continent.
LYMEC also co-signed an urgent motion: Safeguarding Independent Public Service Media in Europe, presented by the Lietuvos jaunimo organizacijų taryba (LiJOT). The motion responds to ongoing political pressure targeting Lithuania’s public broadcaster, LRT, where proposed legislative changes could weaken institutional safeguards protecting media independence, transparency, and accountability.
LYMEC congratulates the newly elected Board and looks forward to the next General Assembly, as the European youth sector continues to strengthen cooperation, representation, and advocacy across Europe.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
LYMEC at the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum in Tromsø, Norway