Between the 8th and 14th of September 2025, 30 young advocates from across Europe convened in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking, for the “Community Solutions Hub: from Issues to Impact” International Activity.
Youth Advocacy in action: Community Solutions Hub – From Issues to Impact
This landmark initiative allowed European Youth Representative Network (EYRN) members to fully immerse themselves in the world of community-driven advocacy, learning how to leverage local and regional insights in the development of actionable policy.
As part of the “Community Solutions Hub”, the EYRN’s visit to Microsoft’s Brussels office brought the network’s young leaders into direct conversation with actors at the forefront of private sector digital transformation. The meeting with Microsoft’s Government Affairs team focused on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, with special emphasis on the opportunities and challenges these innovations present for young people.
The session, led in part by Microsoft policy experts, exposed participants to current technological trends influencing European policy spheres. Beyond technical exposition, the dialogue sought to empower EYRN members with strategic knowledge about new developments in artificial intelligence and the impact that innovative technologies have on youth and community wellbeing.
This collaboration also provided the group with a model of cross-sectoral engagement, illustrating the necessity for youth advocacy actors to operate with fluency across public and private institutional landscapes. Through this high-level encounter, EYRN positioned itself as both a recipient and a co-creator of solutions in the digital policy arena, highlighting young leaders as informed interlocutors for cross-sector dialogue and cooperation.
As active actors in digital skilling, YMCA Europe and Microsoft are already developing solutions for democratizing access to cutting-edge technologies. The Founderz x YMCA | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence online skilling program, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, is bridging the gap between youth work, community development and artificial intelligence, and allowing for more effective intervention for the people we serve.
Through this meaningful discussion at Microsoft’s Brussels office, we are happy to have had the opportunity to explore how policy lays the groundwork for the betterment of our communities through such initiatives.
The “Community Solutions Hub: from Issues to Impact” International Activity is co-funded by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.
