European Youth Capital 2024: Which cities have been shortlisted?

Chișinău (Moldova), Ghent (Belgium), Lviv (Ukraine) and Veszprém (Hungary) will compete for the European Youth Capital 2024 title

The European Youth Forum has announced the four shortlisted cities that will move forward in the competition for the European Youth Capital (EYC) 2024 title: Chișinău (Moldova), Ghent (Belgium), Lviv (Ukraine) and Veszprém (Hungary).

In addition to this, it acknowledged the notable submissions of five other cities that have not been shortlisted this year: Batumi (Georgia), Istres (France), La Louvière (Belgium), Szekesfehervar (Hungary) and Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal).

What is the EYC award?

Every year, the European Youth Forum selects and awards the title of EYC to a new European city. This award is designed to empower young people and ensure that they receive the representation that they deserve.

To earn this title, cities must demonstrate how their initiatives and projects positively impact young people. More specifically, they must show that their work gives the youth a chance to not only speak up but to have their voices heard.

On their website, the European Youth Forum explains that their vision is “to be the voice of young people in Europe, where young people are equal citizens and are encouraged and supported to achieve their fullest potential as global citizens.”

Next steps in the application process

While being shortlisted is undoubtedly an achievement that the aforementioned cities should feel proud of, the race for the EYC 2024 title is far from over. Now, the four cities have until 23 May to submit another, more detailed application.

In this application, they must outline “an extensive programme of youth-related cultural, social and political events and activities,” explained the European Youth Forum. Following this, a jury and focus group will give the cities recommendations and suggestions based on their applications.

Taking their advice into account, the shortlisted cities will then have to submit their final applications on 20 September. Each candidate will also receive one last opportunity to persuade the EYC 2024 Selection Jury that they should be awarded the title.

This jury will consist of representatives of the following institutions and organisations:

• Advisory Council of Youth of the Council of Europe
• Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
• Council of European Municipalities & Regions
• EURACTIV
• Eurodesk
• Europe Goes Local
• European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA
• European Committee of the Regions
• European Economic & Social Committee
• European Movement International
• European Parliament
• European Union - Council of Europe Youth Partnership
• European Volunteer Centre
• European Youth Forum
• Open Society Initiative for Europe
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
• OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
• Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe
• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

The winner of the European Youth Capital 2024 title will be announced at an Award Ceremony in November 2021.