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.
The engagement of young people is also key for the clean energy transition. A just transition needs the support, acceptance, and skills of EU citizens, including the younger ones, to succeed.
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.
Young Energy Ambassadors
The Young Energy Ambassadors initiative was launched at the European Commission’s annual European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) in 2023. It aims at engaging more young people in the clean energy transition and 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 between 18 and 35 years old from around Europe, who are engaged in the energy sector and are passionate about using their experience and knowledge to influence and advocate for the clean energy transition.
In April 2025, the Commission announced the 2025 cohort of Young Energy Ambassadors. They officially began their one-year mandate at EUSEW, which took place on 10-12 June 2025.
The Young Energy Ambassadors’ main task is to promote EUSEW and EU energy policy, particularly among their peers. They represent and share young people’s vision of the future of clean energy in Europe at the annual EUSEW conference. Throughout their mandate, they also participate in other workshops and conferences. The 2024-2025 cohort's 12 Recommendations were handed over to the Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, during the Youth Policy Dialogue on 18 February 2025.
Young Energy Ambassador Programme
A total of 60 Young Energy Ambassadors attended EUSEW in June 2025, contributing to the policy discussions and co-shaping youth activities with the organisers. See more details in the 2025 European Youth Energy Days activities.
Mentorship
Starting in 2025 as an initiative aiming to better involve youth and increase their understanding of EU policy making, Young Energy Ambassadors take part in a mentorship programme with energy experts in the Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy. Each year, mentors who sign up are matched to one or several mentees, according to their preferences and fields of expertise.
Through personal contact and meetings, the mentors help the Ambassadors to learn more about the 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 at giving 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 is available on EUSEW’s website.
The 2025 edition included a session by the 2024 cohort of Young Energy Ambassadors, focusing on urban sustainability and greenwashing. In addition, young participants of EUSEW joined 2 youth side-events: one focussing on skills and jobs encouraging clean energy careers, and the other focussing on the energy mix and grid connections across Europe. The 2024 and 2025 cohorts of Young Energy Ambassadors participated in a role play game organised in the European Parliament and a closed-doors workshop afternoon with experts from the Commission.
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.
Energy and Youth
These resources and initiatives help young people to learn about EU policy and promote civic engagement.
