Social Rights

The 14th meeting of the COE-FRA-ENNHRI-EQUINET Collaborative Platform on Social and Economic Rights will be held on 1 July 2024, in Vilnius, Lithuania. This pivotal event will address the pressing issue of young people's access to social and economic rights amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Particular attention will be paid to the protection of young people against poverty and social exclusion, housing, access to employment, and youth participation in policy and decision-making related to social and economic rights.

It will bring together representatives from the Council of Europe, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, National Human Rights Institutions, Equality Bodies, and various civil society organisations working with young people. This diverse gathering will aim to foster collaboration and develop comprehensive strategies to advance the rights and well-being of young people across Europe.

Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis has become a major concern across Europe. Rising living costs, inflation, precarious employment and housing affordability issues have severely impacted young people's economic security and social inclusion. Participants will therefore discuss strategies to protect young people from poverty and social exclusion in the context of rising living costs, including their access to affordable housing. They will also analyse the employment challenges faced by young people in the current economic climate, including the barriers to employment and possible solutions to improve job opportunities and economic stability. The discussion will also highlight various initiatives and policy proposals aimed at creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for young people.

Together with representatives of the Council of Europe's Advisory Council on Youth, participants will explore mechanisms to enhance the meaningful participation of young people in policy and decision-making processes related to social and economic rights. The importance of giving young people a voice in the policies that affect their lives will be highlighted and various strategies to facilitate this engagement will be proposed.

With that in mind, participants will also explore how the Council of Europe's European Social Charter and the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights can support young people to mitigate the negative effects of the cost-of-living crisis and avoid the lifelong consequences of these early shortfalls. The unique role of human rights defenders, particularly National Human Rights Institutions and Equality Bodies in promoting and protecting the human rights of young people will be reiterated.

This meeting precedes the High-Level Conference on the European Social Charter, to be held on the 4^th of July 2024, in Vilnius, underlining the ongoing commitment to the protection and implementation of social rights across Council of Europe member states.

   Date: 1 July 2024 (9.00 - 17.30 local time)

   Place: Vilnius, Lithuania, Radisson Blu Lietuva Hotel, Meeting Room Lambda ​​

   Check the Programme and the Concept Note

   Who are the Speakers

    Consult the Practical information sheet