YMCA Europe, represented by Dragoș Tarța, our Advocacy Lead, proudly took part in a pivotal dialogue with EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef, the first-ever Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport.
The exchange focused on critical themes such as equity, digitalisation, and sustainability, contributing to the development of the European Union’s upcoming Intergenerational Fairness Strategy, which is scheduled for release in the first half of 2026.
This engagement marks an important step for YMCA Europe in helping to shape policies that will impact young people across the continent for years to come. At 35, Commissioner Micallef is the youngest member of the current College of European Commissioners and has made intergenerational fairness a guiding principle across EU policy development.
The dialogue explored a range of pressing issues that underpin the EU’s vision for intergenerational fairness. These included sustainable development, accessible housing, fair and viable pension systems, equitable public services, employment opportunities, climate action, artificial intelligence governance, demographic trends, and inclusive social protection policies.
Commissioner Micallef also outlined plans for the creation of an Intergenerational Fairness Index to assess how EU Member States are performing in ensuring opportunities and wellbeing across generations. This tool would build upon existing sustainability and wellbeing indicators and provide a structured way to measure progress.
This initiative strongly resonates with YMCA Europe’s long-standing commitment to promoting dialogue across generations and ensuring that young people are not only consulted, but actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. Our advocacy work focuses on tackling the issues that matter most to youth across Europe and ensuring they are not left on the margins of their communities.
Through continued collaboration with EU institutions, civil society, and youth organisations, YMCA Europe remains committed to building a more just and inclusive Europe where intergenerational fairness is not just a vision, but a shared reality.
