The Commission’s political guidelines for 2024-2029 open a new era of dialogue with citizens and aim to make sure that young people can use their voice and help shape our future.
Several instruments are already in place to facilitate such cooperation and engagement. This page is regularly updated with more actions and information, as the Commission expands efforts to increase youth participation in energy policy.
The engagement of young people is key for the clean energy transition. A just transition needs the support, acceptance, and skills of EU citizens, including the younger ones, to succeed.
The Young Energy Ambassadors initiative was launched in 2023 at the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) and aims to engage more young people in the clean energy transition while actively involving them in the EU policy-making process.
Each year, a new cohort of Energy Ambassadors is selected. It is composed of 30 young people aged between 18 and 35, who are citizens of the EU, the EEA, or Ukraine, engaged in the energy sector, and passionate about using their experience and knowledge to influence and advocate for the clean energy transition.
Their main task is to promote EU energy policies, particularly among their peers. The Young Energy Ambassadors represent and share young people’s vision for the future of clean energy in Europe at the EUSEW conference. Throughout their mandate, they also participate in other workshops and conferences, organised in Brussels and at national level.
The Young Energy Ambassadors Programme
The 2026 cohort
The 2026 cohort of Young Energy Ambassadors began its 1-year mandate at EUSEW 2026 in June, where the 30 young people met Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen and Director-General for Energy, Céline Gauer.
The Directorate-General for Energy will support this inspiring and dynamic group of young people during their mandate, including through a mentoring scheme and information sessions with policy experts.
The 2025 cohort
The 2025 cohort of Young Energy Ambassadors had the opportunity to participate in an informal ‘youth check’ on the upcoming legislative initiatives shaping the post-2030 EU energy policy landscape. The group submitted 3 position papers, each addressing one of the key proposals set to be adopted at the end 2026
The position papers were included together with other inputs in the impact assessment process.
In addition to this collective work, members of the 2025 cohort also undertook individual initiatives exploring different aspects of the energy transition.
The 3 Ambassadors from Italy undertook a challenge aimed at fostering the creation and sustainable development of energy communities in Europe. Specifically, they wanted to find out how young people can become more involved in energy communities by conducting 2 surveys: one on young people’s interests and availability, and another on the needs of energy communities in Italy. Find out more about the results on the EUSEW blog or in the presentation from the EUSEW 2026 policy session entitled “Energy communities need you(th)”.
In Finland, the Ambassador brought together a multidisciplinary team of 20 young people, who then undertook research, consulted experts and participated in a study trip, culminating in the development of Finland’s Youth’s Vision for a Secure, Green and Just European Union in 2040.
These initiatives highlight the diverse ways in which the 2025 cohort of Young Energy Ambassadors contributed to shaping the future of Europe’s energy transition.
The 2024 cohort
The 2024 cohort of Young Energy Ambassadors shared 12 Recommendations with the Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, during the Youth Policy Dialogue in February 2025.
Mentorship
Launched in 2025, the mentorship initiative invites the Young Energy Ambassadors to take part in a programme with energy experts in the Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy.
The mentors are matched with one or more mentees, according to their preferences and fields of expertise. Through personal contact and meetings, the experts help the Ambassadors learn more about the EU energy policy process, develop skills in the field of energy, and expand their network.
European Youth Energy Day
The European Youth Energy Day has been part of the EUSEW Policy Conference since 2020 and aims to give young participants the chance to get involved in debates on Europe’s sustainable energy transition.
Activities have different formats each year, such as dialogues, workshops, hackathons, and roundtables. Recordings and examples of previous Youth Energy Day sessions are available on EUSEW’s website.
The 2026 edition included a policy session by the 2025 cohort of Young Energy Ambassadors, focusing on youth involvement in renewable energy communities. In addition, a closed-doors workshop including a presentation of the UnlockYourPower campaign and a networking session between the 2025 and 2026 cohorts was organised on the day.
Youth Policy Dialogues on energy
Youth Policy Dialogues provide a platform for young people to contribute to the EU's policymaking processes by engaging in constructive discussions with Commissioners.
This is part of a wider commitment to giving young people greater freedom and responsibility within our societies and democracies.
During the 2024-2029 mandate, all Commissioners will organise yearly Youth Policy Dialogues. Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, in charge of Energy and Housing, held his first Youth Policy Dialogue on 18 February 2025. The second Youth Dialogue, on the European Affordable Housing Plan, took place on 20 April 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.
Energy and Youth
These resources and initiatives help young people to learn about EU policy and promote civic engagement.
Audiovisual materials, easy-to-read articles and other online products, explaining various energy policy topics and initiatives.
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EU initiatives offering young people funded opportunities.
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