European Union Advancing Youth Leadership at MEF Youth Forum2025
The European Union reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development through its strategic engagement in the Youth Forum 2025, a flagship component of the Mongolia Economic Forum (MEF). Held under the theme “Rebuilding Trust: Co-Creating the Future Through Youth Confidence,” the Forum convened over 2,000 young leaders, international experts, and representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector.
Designed as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, the event aimed to strengthen long-term trust between generations and institutions by positioning youth as key contributors to Mongolia’s national development vision. The European Union’s involvement in the Youth Forum aligns with its broader priorities under the Global Gateway strategy—supporting digital transformation, green growth, education, and inclusive governance.
The European Union has played a significant role in advancing youth engagement in Mongolia through a diverse portfolio of targeted initiatives. Most recently, the Youth Sustainability Corps—implemented in partnership with the Mongol Ecology Center—has equipped young people aged 15 to 20 with environmental knowledge, digital skills, and civic education. Since its launch in 2019, the program has reached over 4,000 youth across 21 provinces, with a total outreach of 45,000 people through seven thematic sub-programmes. It has fostered a new generation of environmentally conscious, civically engaged youth across the country.
Complementing this, past EU-funded initiatives such as the “All 4 YOUth, YOUth 4 All” project enhanced the capacity of youth organizations and civil society actors, while promoting civic participation, volunteerism, and youth-led entrepreneurship. The Youth Ideathon, implemented under the EU’s Budget support technical assistance project with UNDP, empowered young innovators to design digital solutions that promote budget transparency and public accountability. In addition, youth-focused employment and profiling services have strengthened career readiness, skills development, and job-matching opportunities for young people nationwide.
The Youth Forum featured a data-driven visualization of young people’s aspirations for Mongolia’s future—as well as workshops on workforce transitions, digital skills, governance, and green entrepreneurship. Additionally with support from the European Union, youth-driven data and perspectives were collected on the key skills, values, and priority sectors shaping Mongolia’s future. Key findings will be presented by youth ambassadors at the main Mongolia Economic Forum event at the Government House on 9 July 2025.
During the MEF Youth 2025 event, Mr. Ganhuyag Chuluun, Chairperson of the Mongolian Economic Forum, emphasized: “Amid growing global uncertainty, the rapid pace of technological change, the rise of artificial intelligence, and questions about the future of finance, the voices of young people—the leaders of tomorrow—are more essential than ever in shaping the decisions that will define Mongolia’s future development. The Future is Yours!”
Through its Global Gateway strategy, the European Union is working to build strong and inclusive partnerships—helping young people in Mongolia connect to new opportunities and play an active role in shaping a greener and more resilient future.
About Global Gateway
The Global Gateway stands for sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet. It helps to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change, to improving health systems, and boosting competitiveness and security of global supply chains.
About European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.