European Youth Week 2026: Bringing Consumer Co-operatives into the Youth Dialogue

Euro Coop took part in the kick-off day of the European Youth Week 2026, held on 24 April at the European Parliament in Brussels. The day began with the opening plenary session, which featured video messages from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as interventions from youth representatives, MEPs and EU stakeholders.

The plenary highlighted a clear message: young people must be at the centre of Europe’s future, not just as participants but as decision-makers. While major challenges remain, especially around inclusion, housing, and access to opportunities, the energy and engagement of youth offer strong grounds for optimism.

Throughout the day, participants engaged with 27 marketplace stands and interactive activities, attended 43 breakout sessions across three rounds, and took part in networking events with EU policymakers, creating a full day of exchange, participation, and dialogue.

This year’s edition of the European Youth Week was dedicated to the broader theme of “Solidarity and Fairness” and aimed to bring together around 1,000 young people to discuss ideas, opportunities, and the future of youth participation in Europe. For Euro Coop, this was an opportunity to present the role of consumer co-operatives and their contribution to a fairer and more inclusive Europe during the breakout session dedicated to the bioeconomy, where Giacomo Avantaggiato, a Euro Coop intern, took part as a speaker.

Euro Coop’s presence reflected its commitment to representing consumer co-operatives and promoting a more democratic, responsible, and inclusive European economy. By taking part in this initiative, Giacomo Avantaggiato underlined the importance of youth voices in shaping policies that respond to today’s social, economic, and environmental challenges, highlighting that consumer co-operatives are already aware of the key role young people play in this process.

The session explored how the bioeconomy can become a concrete driver of fairness and sustainability. The discussion with members of the Youth Bioeconomy Ambassadors and other young stakeholders highlighted how this field can support a just transition by connecting innovation with social responsibility, creating new opportunities while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability. In this sense, the exchange perfectly captured the spirit of European Youth Week: not only to inspire young people, but also to turn their ideas into practical visions for a fairer and more sustainable Europe.

Giacomo Avantaggiato - Intern