INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF YOUTH
Budget
Not declared
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
6
5.5 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
The International Organization of Youth (IOY) is a global, youth-led nonprofit committed to amplifying youth voices in international policy-making, sustainable development, and inclusive governance. Founded in 2008, IOY empowers youth through advocacy, capacity-building, and engagement with multilateral institutions, including the UN and EU. IOY focuses on key areas such as climate action, digital transformation, peacebuilding, human rights, education, and youth participation in governance. Through conferences, workshops, innovation hubs, and youth-led outcome documents, IOY promotes youth inclusion and intergenerational collaboration. Our initiatives align with the UN SDGs and EU values, aiming to bridge grassroots action with international and European policymaking.
EU Legislative Interests
Main EU Legislative Proposals or Policies Targeted: EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027: IOY supports implementation of youth participation objectives and structured dialogue mechanisms outlined in the strategy, particularly related to inclusive policy-making and global youth engagement. European Year of Youth 2022 Legacy Measures: IOY aligns its initiatives with ongoing follow-up actions from the Year of Youth, including youth in external action and digital engagement. Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA): IOY advocates for youth-friendly digital environments, equitable access, and digital rights education. European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP): IOY promotes youth participation in democratic life and civic engagement, especially around elections, misinformation, and digital platforms. Climate Law (Regulation (EU) 2021/1119) and EU Green Deal follow-up: IOY empowers youth to co-design and advocate for climate action through multilateral and EU engagement platforms. Pact for Skills and European Education Area: IOY supports EU efforts in lifelong learning and skills development for the future of work.
Communication Activities
IOY actively engages in EU-relevant communication and advocacy activities through a portfolio of structured programs: International Youth Conference (IYC): Annual global forum hosting policy discussions, SDG workshops, and youth-led dialogue, including themes aligned with the EU Youth Strategy, Green Deal, and European Digital Rights framework. IYC Impact Program: Translates conference learnings into real-world SDG-aligned community projects, often addressing digital inclusion, climate justice, education, and civic innovation, directly reflecting EU strategic priorities. IOY Academic Campus Chapters: Operate within universities to promote EU values and policy literacy through youth policy labs, research dissemination, and advocacy training, fostering academic-policy bridges. IOY Global Youth Diplomacy & Advocacy Certification Program: Trains youth in EU-relevant skills such as policy drafting, advocacy, and diplomacy. Sessions include practical modules on EU legislative processes and global governance. IOY Urban Hub: Localized city chapters addressing urban policy challenges, including EU themes like sustainable mobility, social cohesion, and inclusive governance. Events include town halls, innovation challenges, and policy incubators. Council of Future Generations (CFG): A platform for younger youth (15–19) to participate in early leadership training, simulate EU processes, and engage in intergenerational EU policy dialogues. These programs are supported by digital campaigns, multilingual publications, outcome documents, and youth declarations shared across IOY platforms and with EU stakeholders. IOY maintains regular outreach through newsletters, podcast episodes, social media, and position papers tied to EU youth, climate, and digital policy milestones.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
IOY is affiliated with and actively collaborates with several international and multilateral organizations, academic institutions, and networks. These include: United Nations Department of Global Communications (UNDGC) – Partnered, participating in civil society programs and global youth communication efforts. UN-Habitat – Partner in youth engagement, urban innovation, and sustainable cities programs. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – Collaborator in training initiatives for youth diplomacy, policy, and multilateralism. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – Shared programming on youth-led climate action and sustainability. International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Collaboration on youth and migration discourse and youth participation in human mobility policy. UN Beyond Lab (UNOG) – IOY has participated in knowledge-sharing and solution-development labs tied to the UN Geneva innovation ecosystem. UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs – Strategic partner and host of IYC events; supports IOY’s work on youth-led civic innovation and public diplomacy. AFS Intercultural Programs – Collaborator in youth mobility and global citizenship education efforts. IAAI GloCha – Joint efforts in engaging youth in climate governance and intergenerational dialogue platforms. Local and regional governments in the U.S. and Europe, including LA County Youth Commission and various city-based youth policy offices. Youth NGOs, universities, and academic chapters in over 25 countries, operating IOY Urban Hubs and Academic Campus Chapters. For a detailed list of programs and partners, visit: www.iycforyouth.org
Organisation Members
Link to the collaborators/partners is : https://iycforyouth.org/about-iycforyouth/collaborators/
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.