EUROPEAN YOUTH PRESS RELEASE

YouthMetre Press Release EMBARGO FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17th 09.00  A.M. BRUSSELS TIME YouthMetre: The Most Engaged Youth Region Brussels, Belgium The YouthMetre e-tool to empower youth  in policy-making across the EU successfully launched on the 14th February 2017 with a seminar  at the European  Committee of the Regions in Brussels. The seminar  was followed by a training workshop with young people from different European  countries that took place  on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th of February. On top of that, YouthMetre also  happily announced the that the Award for the Most Engaged EU regions went to Utrecht,  North Holland and West London. These  regions support youth  in policy-making and align with the aim of the YouthMetre project by empowering youngsters to engage, participate, voice  and advocate ideas. The representative of West London commented on the importance of YouthMetre: in establishing an information space for youth  to identify  challenges and express themselves in asking  for the policies they need. Luc Van der Brande, Committee of the Regions member, stressed that "For the democratic functioning of the Union, active  participation of the youth  is absolutely essential. Good decision-making at all levels, on education and job perspective, has to have their full involvement. The YouthMetre project and the launch of the Award  are important  levers to achieve it." Karl Donert, the Project coordinator (kdonert@yahoo.com) believes that YouthMetre established a clear context from which  youth  can establish their policy proposals and the training resources will support their advocacy campaigns. The YouthMetre seminar  brought together representatives of many European  institutions, local and regional  authorities, civil society associations, experts and young European citizens to exchange knowledge, experience and good practices on how  best to involve youth  in the decision-making process at local, national  and European  levels. Further information on the methodologies and approaches used  can be obtained from the Communication officer of the project. You can also  subscribe to the project newsletter to receive  regular updates at  www.youthmetre.eu. For more information and inquiries,  please contact: Ms. Julie Mahlerová Communication officer European Youth Press, e.V. j.mahlerova@youthpress.org Phone: 00420 734  485  924