Among the projects that the institutions in Brussels periodically launch to bring citizens closer to the Union, the last in order of time is the “European portal for youth” (http://europa.eu.int/youth/). The portal is being promoted by the European Commission and is a follow up to the publication of the White Paper “A New Impulse for European Youth”. “The aim say project leaders is to offer as large a number of youth as possible easy and rapid access to European information of interest to them. The portal’s final objective is to increase the participation of the young in public life and contribute to their active citizenship”. The target group is especially that of boys and girls aged between 15 and 25. It is a service provided in various languages: “The main information (homepage, pages with a European dimension, introductory pages on the various issues) will be provided in all the official languages of the Union promise the project leaders in Brussels -. But more specific information on sub-issues and specific aspects of some countries may only be found in English and in the respective languages of the states concerned”. The information provided on the website also includes the programme of the 2004 World Youth Festival in Barcelona (due to be held from 8 to 14 August), information on European legislation affecting the young and the programmes dedicated to them. There are also useful links and a forum on youth issues. The portal is still in its design phase, but should be fully operational after the summer holidays.
