Youth voices help shape Europe’s circular future at annual conference

Young people made their voices heard at Wednesday's (22 April) annual European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) conference, sharing their perspectives on the upcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA).

The session allowed youngsters to share their views on how the EU can move beyond the current "take-make-waste" model and transition to a circular economy, with a specific focus on the CEA, which aims to create a competitive market for secondary raw materials within the EU.

Participants emphasised the need for policies that make circular choices the easiest, most affordable, and trusted option for consumers. They called for greater transparency in product lifecycles and emphasised the importance of harmonised markets for secondary raw materials.

The youth stressed that circularity cannot be separated from sufficiency. Reducing material demand is as critical as improving recycling and reuse systems. They also warned that resource scarcity is not just an industrial policy issue but a matter of European sovereignty, urging the EU to reduce reliance on imported raw materials.

To support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), participants underlined the need for clear guidelines and better access to high-quality secondary materials. They also called for cross-sector collaboration.

The link between the circular economy and public health was another key concern. Participants argued that robust safety standards are a prerequisite for a trustworthy circular economy. They also pointed to the job creation potential of the circular economy, particularly for young people.

Finally, participants stressed the need for better communication and capacity-building to ensure that young people and consumers are informed and empowered to make circular choices. Ensuring the benefits of this transition reach beyond major cities was seen as critical to leaving no one behind.

Responding to interventions from the young audience, Commissioner Roswall agreed that the circular economy is essential for climate action, public health, resilience, security, job creation and Europe's competitiveness. She encouraged young people to continue making their voices heard.

The session was part of the Commission's Youth Check on the forthcoming CEA.

"You have a right to be heard. Raise your voice. We will continue listening. Don't underestimate your power."

Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

Next steps

The Commission will analyse all contributions from young people and consider them when preparing the CEA.

Young people can still contribute by:

• Submitting additional contributions by writing to ENV-CEA-YOUTH-CONSULTATIONec[dot] europa[dot] eu by 29 April.
• Supporting the preparation of a joint position paper, which youth organisations participating in this process will consolidate and present to Commissioner Roswall at a dedicated follow-up meeting.

Background

The session took place in Brussels and online in the framework of the ECESP annual conference. ECESP is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee that brings together policymakers, businesses, civil society and citizens working to accelerate Europe's transition to a circular economy.

The CEA, planned for autumn 2026, aims to accelerate the transition to a more circular economy, increasing the EU's economic security, resilience, competitiveness and decarbonisation. It is intended to facilitate the cross-border movement of recycled products, materials, and waste across Europe. It will also increase the supply of high-quality recycled materials and stimulate demand for these materials in the EU. 

The CEA will help the EU achieve its goal of leading the world in the circular economy by 2030. At present, only about 12% of the materials used in Europe come from recycled or reused sources, highlighting the need for further action to increase circular material use.

The Commission ran a public consultation and call for evidence on the CEA, as well as a youth-specific public consultation, which, together with the youth session at the ECESP conference, is part of the Youth Check. The Youth Check is a policy-making tool that helps ensure that EU policies account for their impact on young people.

More information

Young voices wanted: Help shape the Circular Economy Act | European Commission

Background document on Circular Economy Act | European Commission

The ECESP Annual Conference 2026 | European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

Circular Economy | European Commission