Ireland will host the EU Youth Conference in Dublin from 27 to 30 September 2026, bringing young people, policymakers and youth organisations together during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Organised by the Department of Education and Youth in partnership with the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), the event is expected to welcome approximately 300 participants from across Europe. It forms part of the EU Youth Dialogue, a process designed to give young people a direct role in shaping European policy.
EU Youth Conference focuses on information and democratic participation
The conference will focus on EU Youth Goal 4: Information and Constructive Dialogue. The priority has been agreed by the Trio Presidencies of Ireland, Lithuania and Greece and reflects growing concern about how young people navigate a complex digital and information environment.
Workshops, dialogue sessions and policy discussions will allow participants to exchange experiences and develop recommendations for European decision-makers. The outcomes are also expected to contribute to the next EU Youth Strategy, scheduled for launch in 2027.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton will welcome the European Commissioner responsible for youth. The programme will include delegates from every EU Member State and candidate country, with three Irish representatives selected through the Young Voices: EU Youth Dialogue programme.
Irish youth delegates selected through Young Voices
The Irish delegates have taken part in EU Youth Dialogue consultations coordinated by NYCI. Their role will be to bring the views and experiences of young people in Ireland into discussions with counterparts from across Europe.
The EU Youth Dialogue operates through 18-month work cycles. National consultations are held during each cycle, while Erasmus+ supports the organisation of an EU Youth Conference by each Trio Presidency. This approach is intended to connect local consultation with European-level policy development.
Why youth participation matters during Ireland’s EU Presidency
The conference highlights Ireland’s emphasis on meaningful youth participation, democratic engagement and access to reliable information. Rather than consulting young people only after policy priorities have been established, the process aims to involve them from the beginning.
- Young people can share perspectives on issues affecting their lives.
- Delegates can engage directly with policymakers and youth representatives.
- Recommendations can inform future European youth policy.
- The process supports more inclusive and constructive democratic dialogue.
In Ireland, the Young Voices programme helps connect national consultations with the wider EU Youth Dialogue. The initiative enables young people to influence decisions at local, national and European level.
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EU Youth Conference will help shape future policy
The Dublin conference will provide a forum for young people, youth organisations, researchers, policymakers and civil society groups to work together. Its recommendations will feed into ongoing European discussions and help inform the next EU Youth Strategy.
As Ireland’s EU Presidency continues, the event offers a practical example of how youth voices can be incorporated into policy-making. Its central message is that meaningful participation depends on trusted information, inclusive spaces and genuine opportunities to influence decisions.
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Key takeaway: The EU Youth Conference places young people at the centre of European policy discussions, with Ireland using its EU Presidency to promote informed participation and constructive democratic dialogue.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
