The European Union’s (EU) investment in young people in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region aims to promote democracy, stability, and economic development. By getting involved in decision-making, young people can push for democratic reforms and resist authoritarian influences, ultimately fostering regional stability. At the same time, these efforts strengthen transversal skills in youth, improve their employability, and support access to better job opportunities.

Since 2018, the EU4Youth programme has been supporting young people in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine as the EU’s largest initiative for youth in the Eastern Partnership.

Economically, the programme seeks to enhance employability, encouraging innovation and supporting social entrepreneurship. At the same time, it aims at boosting local economies and fostering green and digital transformations. Socially, it seeks to promote cohesion and inclusivity, contributing to more resilient societies in the face of global and regional challenges.

Ongoing conflicts and political instability in the region have greatly impacted the lives of young people over the past years. To guarantee sustained support to youth in the EaP countries, the EU4Youth programme continues to adapt to changing realities, supporting young people’s innovative visions and engagement for a better future.

This report highlights the results achieved in 2024, underscoring the programme’s continuous contribution to engaging, empowering and connecting young people in the EaP countries, while reducing youth unemployment and promoting active citizenship.

Data for this report has been collected biannually in close cooperation with the EU4Youth project implementors and grantees. The reported data corresponds to the indicators of the EU4Youth results framework. In addition, the report draws insights from the annual EU4Youth end-beneficiary survey which investigates the programme’s direct impact on the lives of young people that have participated in EU4Youth-funded activities in the region.

The programme has been systematically collecting and analysing its impact at the regional and national levels over the past six years. Prior to this edition, five annual reports of the EU4Youth programme have been published. Offering a comprehensive overview of EU-funded youth initiatives across the entire EaP region since 2019, these reports provide a unique resource for policymakers, civil society leaders and other stakeholders engaged in the field of youth education, employment and empowerment.

The report is divided into four chapters: EU4Youth Programme insights and regional context, followed by a more in-depth overview of the key programme activities and achievements in the areas of Education and Employability, Employment and Entrepreneurship, and Engagement and Empowerment.