CONSELHO NACIONAL DE JUVENTUDE
Budget
€460,000
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
4
2.35 FTE
EU Grants
€120,000
Mission & Goals
The National Youth Council of Portugal was created in 1985, with legal status approved by the Assembly of the Republic through Law 1/2006. Since its creation, it has been the representative platform for national youth organisations and all young people, covering the most diverse expressions of youth associations (cultural, environmental, scouting, political, student, trade union and religious). The National Youth Council's activities aim to: Provide a platform for dialogue and a space for the exchange of positions and points of view between youth organisations and councils; Reflect on the aspirations of young people, promoting debate and discussion on their situation and issues; Contribute to the encouragement and development of youth associations; Act as an interlocutor with the constituted powers and claim the right to be consulted on all matters concerning Portuguese youth in general;
EU Legislative Interests
The Portuguese National Youth Council (CNJ), through its official Position Papers (Tomadas de Posição), reflects the visions and priorities of Portuguese youth. These documents include references and appeals to European Union policies and legislative acts, aligning national youth concerns with European frameworks. 1. Education, Youth and Mobility Regulation (EU) 2021/817 establishing Erasmus+ (2021–2027) Regulation (EU) 2021/888 establishing the European Solidarity Corps (2021–2027) Decision (EU) 2021/1764 on the European Year of Youth and follow-up in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2. Cohesion, Regional Development and Connectivity Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 on common provisions for ERDF, ESF+, Cohesion Fund and other EU funds Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027: Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 and Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 Digital Europe Programme and EU Gigabit Connectivity Targets 2030 3. Social Inclusion, Equality and Labour Directive (EU) 2006/54 on equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in employment European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan (2021) Artificial Intelligence Act (COM/2021/206 final, pending adoption) 4. Democracy, Citizenship and European Values Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2021/692 establishing the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) European Democracy Action Plan (COM/2020/790 final) EU Strategy on Combating Disinformation (JOIN/2018/36 final)
Communication Activities
1. 11th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue (2025–2026) The CNJ is coordinating national consultation sessions across Portugal as part of the 11th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue, under the theme “Connecting the EU with Youth” (running until June 2026). Activities include in-person workshops with young people, municipalities, schools, and youth organisations, as well as a digital campaign to collect online contributions. Results will be compiled into a national report, along with a local action toolkit and recommendations for youth policy changes. 2. “Tu Contas na Europa” (“You Count in Europe”) – European Elections Campaign To encourage democratic participation and boost youth turnout in the European Elections, CNJ launched the campaign “Tu Contas na Europa”, in partnership with Unidos.EU. The campaign featured: A script contest for youth-led video productions; Roadshows in secondary schools and universities; Capacity-building sessions on EU institutions and decision-making; A social media campaign focused on European literacy, democracy, and countering abstention. 3. “How to Score a Youth Goal” Project CNJ partnered with the National Youth Councils of Croatia, Germany, and Austria in this EU-funded project. The initiative supports the implementation of the European Youth Goals (2019–2027) through: Mapping good practices; Developing training curricula for policymakers and youth workers; Disseminating participatory methodologies and youth engagement tools. 4. Digital Hackathon: “SOLVE THE GAP” During the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU (March 2021), CNJ co-organised a 48-hour online hackathon called “SOLVE THE GAP”. The hackathon aimed to inspire young people to design digital solutions for democratic participation. The event was officially endorsed by the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
European Youth Forum Portuguese Economic and Social Council Portuguese National Council of Education
Organisation Members
https://www.cnj.pt/organizações-membro
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.