Listen to our Call – Youth Manifesto ‘For Ireland’s EU Presidency 2026’

Our youth manifesto is a bold vision for the future of Europe. 

A Europe that prioritises an economy of care over an economy of self-interest. A Europe that prioritises peace, human rights, climate action, equality and inclusion. 

As young people, we are deeply concerned about our future. We are deeply concerned about a world where conflict is on the rise, hatred and racism are growing, and human rights and democracy are under threat. The climate crisis is pushing us to the brink, and hard-fought progress on inclusion and gender equality are in danger of being rolled back.

Meanwhile, unaccountable big tech companies are acquiring huge power. Billionaires are becoming trillionaires, with the super-rich exerting undue influence over politics. Inequalities are deepening, and us young people are becoming locked out of opportunities for housing, while our rural communities go neglected.

Ireland now has a historic opportunity during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026 to listen to us, the young people of Ireland, and to champion the practical actions in this manifesto for a more peaceful and sustainable Europe.

Our youth manifesto sets out clear concrete actions for Ireland to champion during its six-month EU presidency, as well as more long-term actions that we would like to see taken at a European level in the years to come beyond Ireland's presidency.

We advocate for inclusion and kindness. We champion climate action and human rights. We stand for justice, for equity, and for democracy. This is the Europe that we want.

How this youth manifesto was developed:

Participants were asked ‘what is the Europe that they want’ - in terms of the priorities and actions for Ireland to champion during its EU presidency, but also more broadly their vision of the future direction of Europe.

At its core, this youth manifesto calls on Ireland to help restore the moral leadership of the European Union. We should all listen closely.

Please note that these proposed actions and recommendations for Ireland and the EU are those of the youth participants and do not necessarily reflect the policy positions of Oxfam.

‘The Europe That We Want’ initiative is part of an EU-funded project, the YOUNITE project, of which Oxfam Ireland is a member. YOUNITE aims to embed a lasting culture of participatory democracy among young people and other citizens in Spain, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Greece, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany by fostering civic engagement, expanding participation opportunities, and increasing the impact of youth perspectives in public policies.

This publication was co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Government of Ireland. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Oxfam Ireland and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union and the Government of Ireland.