For the first time in Kosovo, the 41st Annual Conference of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) is being held, with over 100 participants from 37 countries around the world. This conference is seen as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among actors who influence the lives of young people.
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that the European Youth Card is not just a discount card, but a tool for mobility, education, and active participation — young people need real opportunities, not just promises.
He stated that Kosovo, as part of this Card, has already registered nearly 8,000 young people who will be able to receive discounts on transport, education, culture, and accommodation in 35 European countries.
“Our European Youth Card program began at the start of 2024 and is implemented by the Consortium of Youth Organizations in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. During the first six months of this period, we managed to register nearly 8,000 young people as participants in the program, as well as include 18 business partners, with the goal of reaching 60 partners by the end of the year. We are also offering thousands of discounts and benefits for young people both inside and outside Kosovo. Through this card, our youth can benefit from discounts on transport, education, culture, sports, accommodation, and many other services in more than 35 European countries, with over 70,000 different benefits. The European Youth Card represents one of the concrete actions within our new youth policy,” he said.
Kurti told representatives from many countries that this conference strengthens cooperation between institutions and organizations that influence the well-being of young people.
He said that young people are not only the future but also the present of the continent.
“Through this conference, we are strengthening cooperation among institutions, organizations, and actors that influence young people’s lives. Here we will discuss new ideas, exchange best practices, and inspire each other to draft fairer and more sensitive policies toward youth. Young people represent the energy and creativity of Europe’s future. But you are not just the future, you are the present of every country on our continent. As a state, we are committed to shaping our policies reflecting this belief. EYCA is an essential part of this commitment and an example of how international cooperation can bring tangible changes in young people’s lives,” he said.
The President of the European Youth Card Association, Miguel Perestrello, said that the European Youth Card includes approximately 9 million young people who benefit from roughly 70,000 discounts from major brands across Europe.
“I am proud to say that through the European Youth Card, we reach more than 9 million young people. Cardholders benefit from over 20,000 discounts from major brands and opportunities for young people throughout Europe. If we combine all the major brands offering discounts, we reach 70,000 discounts that the Prime Minister also mentioned, which can be accessed throughout Europe. These figures are important, but what they represent is even more powerful: real and concrete support for young people in their daily lives. Since last year, we have achieved significant successes in areas such as governance, membership registration and growth, the youth panel and other youth projects, as well as relationships with European organizations such as the Council of Europe, the European Commission, and our network of youth partners, ERYICA and Eurodesk,” he said.
The 41st Annual Conference of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) is gathering young people from 37 countries in Kosovo and will continue tomorrow. Kosovo officially became a member of EYCA a year and a half ago, on December 11, 2023. /B. Ibishi/
