In a new Policy Paper on Eastern Europe and Central Asia published by the Institut fuer Europaeische Politik, Berlin, Julian Plottka, who is member of the EUCON Jean Monnet Network, and Anton Bewerunge reason that youth policy for the Central Asian region should become a priority under the EU’s new Central Asia Strategy. As there is little risk of facing competition with Russia, the Eurasian Economic Union or other global actors, it allows the EU to develop together with its Central Asian partners activities of mutual interest for the majority of people living in the region. Investment in young change makers, human development, and education offers the opportunity to benefit from the “demographic dividend”, makes Central Asian societies more resilient and contributes to stability. To maximise the EU’s impact in Central Asia, its youth policy needs to focus on priority activities.

Therefore, the paper recommends to prioritise three tasks:
(1) Setting up the youth policy dimension in Central Asia Relations;
(2) Investing in regional youth cooperation, with a focus on education;
(3) Establishing a Youth Fund for Central Asia. 

Read the complete policy paper here.