At a time of profound uncertainty for Europe and the world, more than 200 young progressives from across the continent gathered in Warsaw, Poland, for the Young European Socialists (YES) Summer Camp to debate, learn, organise and strengthen the progressive movement. Over four days, participants exchanged ideas on housing, democracy, migration, defence, energy, artificial intelligence and the rise of the far right. Bringing together young activists from across Europe, the Summer Camp reaffirmed a shared conviction: Europe’s future must be built for the young, with the young.
In his video message, PES President Stefan Löfven welcomed the energy and commitment of Europe’s young progressives, highlighting their central role in shaping the future of the movement.
Stefan Löfven, PES President, said:
“At a time when democracy and social progress are under pressure, bringing young progressives together is more important than ever. I want to thank YES and its leadership for making this possible, for turning reflection into political action and helping shape the next generation of progressive leadership. Building a stronger, more united progressive movement starts with and for the new generation of activists.”
Opening the Summer Camp, PES Deputy Secretary General Saar Van Bueren stressed that moments like these are more important than ever as Europe faces wars, climate change, rising inequalities, geopolitical instability and growing political polarisation.
She underlined that societies are becoming more fragmented, trust in institutions is declining, traditional media are increasingly under attack, while online platforms and algorithms fuel misinformation and division. At the same time, the cost of living continues to rise, leaving many Europeans questioning whether politics is still capable of improving their daily lives.
Rather than accepting this reality, progressives must respond by putting fairness back at the centre of politics. Affordable housing, quality jobs, fair wages, strong public services, climate justice, and economic security are not simply policy objectives; they are the foundations for rebuilding trust in democracy.
Saar Van Bueren, PES Deputy Secretary General, said:
“People are asking a simple question: is this fair? Is it fair that someone working full-time cannot afford a home? Is it fair that young people fear they will be worse off than their parents? Social democrats will never accept fatalism. Our responsibility is to offer credible answers that improve people’s everyday lives, rebuild trust in democracy, and give a new generation confidence in the future. Europe needs young progressives who are ready to organise, lead and shape a fairer and more sustainable Europe.”
Throughout the Summer Camp, discussions also focused on two of the defining challenges facing Europe today: ensuring Europe’s strategic autonomy through the green transition and strengthening democratic resilience in the face of growing authoritarianism. Leading discussions on Europe’s energy future, PES Deputy Secretary General Thomas Vaupel argued that the green transition is not only an environmental necessity, but also a question of social justice, economic security, and European sovereignty. With millions of Europeans struggling to pay their energy bills while climate change accelerates across the continent, Europe must accelerate investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and affordable clean power. The lessons from Europe’s past dependence on Russian fossil fuels are clear: relying on authoritarian regimes for essential resources weakens both our security and our economies.
The Summer Camp also examined how democracies can respond to the growing normalisation of far-right politics. Participants discussed the importance of protecting democratic institutions, strengthening public trust, and ensuring that social policy remains the strongest defence against political extremism.
As Europe enters a period of increasing uncertainty, resilient democratic institutions, fair economic policies, and stronger European cooperation are essential to safeguard democracy and deliver security for citizens.
Thomas Vaupel, PES Deputy Secretary General, said:
“Security today means much more than military defence. It means affordable energy, decent work, strong public institutions, and democratic resilience. The green transition is our pathway to European energy sovereignty, while social justice is our strongest defence against those who seek to divide our societies. Democracy thrives where people feel protected, treated fairly and confident about the future. That is the progressive alternative we must continue to build together across Europe.”
Partner organisations from across the progressive movement also joined the Summer Camp. Representatives of Młoda Lewica, the youth organisation of the Polish left, co-organised the event and contributed to the discussions, represented by its co-Chairs, Mateusz Orzechowski and Zuzanna Piwowar. The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) also took part in the Summer Camp, with its President, Sergio Amarante, and its Secretary General, Jessali Zarazua, joining participants in reaffirming the importance of international solidarity, youth participation, and progressive cooperation in addressing Europe’s common challenges.
This Summer Camp was also the occasion for the leaders of the PES to express their gratitude to Irja Vaateri for her valuable contribution as Secretary General of YES and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
