The Hellenic National Youth Council (ESYN) is the highest representative platform of youth organizations in the country. It is an institutional body that has been operating since the 1990s, aiming to strengthen youth participation in public life, promote youth representation at national and European level, and shape policies that concern the younger generation. The following is an extensive presentation of the role, history, functioning, and activities that characterize ESYN, approximately 1000 words.
Historical background and evolution
The establishment of ESYN is linked to the need for institutional representation of youth organizations within European structures. In the early 1990s, Greece followed the example of many other European countries that had already created national youth councils as members of the European Youth Forum. The establishment of ESYN aimed to:
• Ensure the collective representation of youth organizations before state authorities.
• Enable participation in public dialogue on policies affecting young people.
• Foster international relations and exchanges with organizations from other countries.
Over the years, ESYN has evolved into a point of reference for organizations active in areas such as culture, education, human rights, volunteerism, and social inclusion.
Institutional role and mission
The institutional character of ESYN is based on complementarity with the State and European mechanisms. It organizes and coordinates youth organizations so that the voices of young people gain weight and a united direction.
The mission of ESYN can be summarized in three main pillars:
1. Representation of Greek youth organizations in dialogues with the State, the institutions of the European Union, and international fora.
2. Advocacy for policies that benefit young people, such as access to education, equal opportunities in employment, protection of human rights, sustainability, and participation in democracy.
3. Empowerment of member organizations through the provision of tools, training, networking, and opportunities for cooperation at national and international level.
