Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with youth organizations and University Students, at the Library of the University of Cyprus

Young European Council 2017.Labour market Affairs Council - negociation sessions.

Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, sport and young people.

What is Erasmus+?

The European Parliament has a packed schedule when it returns after the summer recess, including key planks of the European Green Deal, agricultural reform, digital legislation and the Sakharov Prize. Parliament will also scrutinise the work of the Commission at the State of the Union debate.

What's coming up in the second half of 2021?

The Conference on the Future of Europe is the chance to have your say. But how can you get involved? It all begins on the multilingual digital platform, futureu.europa.eu - the gateway to the Conference on the Future of Europe.

futureu.europa.eu – the gateway to the Conference on the Future of Europe

The ESF+ aims to invest in people and create a more social and inclusive Europe. Parliament wants to make sure that all children have a fair start, young people get a chance at quality employment through training and apprenticeships and vulnerable populations are supported.

European Social Fund Plus: helping the most vulnerable

Parliament will consider the new EU4Health programme, discuss terrorism and freedom of speech and set out its priorities for the 2021 budget. Plus, better protecting Europe’s regional specialities and a new vice-president. All that and more coming up in plenary.

Coming up in plenary: improving healthcare, fighting terrorism and the 2021 budget

Parliament voted for a higher emissions reduction target for 2030 and said the Forest Strategy must be aligned with the European Green Deal. MEPs called for a rule of law mechanism to protect EU democracy, as well as common rules for crowdfunding and more money to help young people.

Plenary highlights: reducing CO2 emissions, rule of law and youth unemployment

Climate, research, youth and health are priorities for the European Parliament in the next seven-year budget. Cutting funding to areas that will help the recovery and that invest in future generations is unacceptable for MEPs.

Long-term budget: Parliament defends EU flagship programmes

This Infoclip illustrates young people in various situation (students, demonstration on climate issues, European Voluntary Service...).

Infoclip: SOTEU debate - EU Next generation - Youth

The SOTEU debate takes place each September. It's an important moment of EU democracy, when members of Parliament hold the Commission to account, checking on work done and the future direction for Europe.

What is the State of the European Union debate?

In Strasbourg, the European Parliament kitchens produce 500 meals a day for single parent family and young people in need to help them in the framework of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - EP buildings used in the fight against COVID-19 - Preparation of daily meals for people in need in the EP kitchens in Strasbourg

MEPs backed Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission, which will now take office on 1 December. Parliament also approved the 2020 budget and set an EU goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Plenary highlights: the von der Leyen Commission, 2020 budget and  COP25

Parliament took stock of the work done by the European Commission under the leadership of Jean-Claude Juncker. The Parliament also considered its response to Brexit and awarded the 2019 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. MEPs discussed Turkey’s military incursion into Syria and adopted its position on the 2020 budget.

Plenary highlights: the Juncker Commission, Brexit and the Sakharov Prize

MEPs have begun hearings of Commissioners-designate to ensure their suitability for the job and deliver on citizens expectations. Day one saw Trade, Innovation and Inter-institutional relations on the menu. Phil Hogan from Ireland, the Bulgarian Mariya Gabriel and the Slovak Maroš Šefčovič were all heard and questioned by Parliamentary committees. After scrutinising their abilities and plans, Parliament will have the final say on the Commission.

Commission picks quizzed on Trade, Innovation and youth and Europe’s future.

During the plenary session, Parliament backed Christine Lagarde as the new ECB chief, gave the green light to funding for research and Erasmus+ and agreed aid to three EU countries hit by flooding. Members also debated the state of play with Brexit, and discussed the destruction of forests worldwide.

From the new ECB chief to the latest on Brexit: 5 numbers from Strasbourg

The European Parliament's Coordinator on children’s rights seeks to promote and protect the rights of the child across in EU policies. The Coordinator works with MEPs colleagues, parliamentary committees and external stakeholders to ensure that these rights are given all due consideration in EU legislation.

Protecting the rights of the child inside and outside the EU

Ambiance of the European Youth Week at the European Parliament in Brussels (29-30/04/2019)

European Youth Week: ambiance shots of the event

A larger budget for the Erasmus+ programme focuses on mobility, education, innovation and inclusion. MEPs want to modernise the programme and foster a sense of European belonging through expanded mobility schemes and digital skills development.

New Erasmus+ budget to boost mobility and opportunities for youth

Parliament discusses EU-US trade, funding for Erasmus+ in the next EU budget, and vehicle safety regulations. A working group monitoring rule of law and corruption in the EU will release findings on press freedom in Slovakia and Malta. And the Parliament welcomes guests from other parliaments around the EU.

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