Launch of the Youth4Health Network

Half of the population of our planet is 30 years of age or younger. In the World Health Organization European Region, every third person is under 30.

Youth4Health is a special initiative of Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, started in 2021. It aims to amplify and embed youth voices and perspectives into all areas of the WHO Regional Office for Europe’s work.

The first Youth4Health Forum was held in 2022 in Tirana, Albania, with the key outcome of establishing the Youth4Health Network. Youth4Health has called for youth organizations, organizations working in the youth space, Member State youth delegates, youth activists, and youth parliamentarians to apply to become part of the Youth4Health Network. This Network was formally launched on September 25, 2023. The Network already includes over 80 individual members and 18 youth organizations from 29 countries across Europe and Central Asia.

Our Young WFPHA Working Group has joined the Network. During the launch event, the WFPHA’s representatives discussed the importance of youth engagement with decision-makers.

The Youth4Health Network provides a platform for meaningful engagement with young people to ensure youth participation in all areas of work of WHO/Europe.