Voices for Choices – Europe’s next chapter starts with its youngest voices

Explore the interactive Voices for Choices report – a tool for evidence-based policymaking.

Enjoy the full screen experience by clicking here. You can download the report by clicking here.

We’re continuing our work to rethink the roles and responsibilities of citizens, governments and businesses towards one another, in an effort to redesign the ‘social contract’ and ensure society works more fairly, and more effectively, for everyone.

In our latest study Voices for Choices, we build on the outcomes of 2024 Voices: Citizens speak up!, by diving deep into the experiences and expectations of young people aged 18 to 35 in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Poland — over 2,000 of them — revealing what they want from the future, and from those in power.

What emerges is a generation that’s ready to lead. They may distrust politicians, but they believe in democracy. They’re clear-eyed about the challenges ahead — from climate to security, AI to economic fairness — and they’re determined to have a real say in the decisions shaping their lives.

This isn’t a single-minded group. National context matters, and their views are nuanced. But across the board, young Europeans are calling for accountability, opportunity, and a stronger, more responsive EU.

Voices for Choices is more than a snapshot of youth opinion — it’s a roadmap. Grounded in lived experience and forward-looking aspirations, it offers policymakers timely, evidence-based insights just as the EU prepares its next Multiannual Financial Framework. It sends a clear message: the future of Europe must be shaped with young people, not just for them.

And this is only the beginning. The findings from the survey will be explored further in 2025 through in-depth focus groups in each of the five countries, paving the way for citizen-led events that bring together young people, policymakers, and experts to discuss the results — and co-create the solutions.

DENMARK/DANMARK – FRANCE – ITALY/ITALIA – GERMANY/DEUTSCHLAND – POLAND/POLSKA

To make sure the findings receive the visibility and follow-up they deserve, we’re organising a series of local events in the 5 target countries bringing together citizens, policymakers and experts in interactive in-person discussions to unpack the issues identified in the report and propose potential solutions.  

Find out more about our local events below, join us at and let’s reimagine a Europe fit for the 21st century, together!  

France  

Our first event took place on March 19th at the “Rencontres Européennes de la Participation” in Strasbourg. 

Germany

Our event will take place on June 4th in Berlin. More information will be available soon!

Poland 

Our event will take place on June 7th in Gdańsk.  More information will be available soon!

Italy

Our event will take place on June 27th in Prato. More information will be available soon!

Denmark 

Stay tuned for info on our event in Denmark!

Your voice plays a vital role in what comes next—stay connected!

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments about the project at info@debatingeurope.eu .

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 the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.