Adam Lambe represents Ireland at second meeting of the President's Youth Advisory Board

The President’s Youth Advisory Board met for the second time on 22 July 2026 in Brussels to discuss future EU youth policy priorities with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Ireland was represented by Adam Lambe from the National Youth Council of Ireland, who joined youth representatives from across Europe to contribute to the discussions. The Board was established under President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines for 2024-2029 as part of wider efforts to strengthen youth participation and empower young people to shape EU policymaking at its highest levels.

The 33 youth representatives, from EU Member States’ National Youth Councils and the European Youth Forum, along with observers from candidate countries and potential candidate, advised the President on which policy priorities matter most to young Europeans in their countries. Policy priorities highlighted by the Board members include, among others:

• Stronger representation of young people in policymaking
• Making representation more inclusive
• Challenges faced by young people

These insights will inform the Commission’s future policies as well as the upcoming post-2027 EU Youth Strategy.

As part of a broader input to understand young people’s concerns and increase youth input in EU policymaking, the Commission has also run several Youth Policy Dialogues and applied the Youth Check to relevant policies.