Event highlights
13 December 2023
The Youth Alcohol Network for the Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION) was officially launched on 22–23 November 2023 during a 2-day meeting at UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark. This successful knowledge-sharing and mobilization event marked the beginning of collaboration between the WHO Regional Office for Europe and young adults sharing an interest in alcohol-related issues.
More than 40 participants aged 18–30 years from 20 countries across Europe came together to discuss initiatives around digital alcohol marketing and alcohol labelling, guided by WHO/Europe experts and collaborators. They developed ideas on how to adapt a Digital Marketing Guide to young people, which is being co-produced by Alcohol Focus Scotland. Following this exercise, the Youth Alcohol Network participants were invited to be further involved in the development of the guide.
The second major outcome of the meeting was the design of labels for alcoholic beverages by the Youth Alcohol Network participants. The majority of the labels included nutritional information and health warnings, as well as QR codes to provide consumers with additional health information. The implementation of adequate alcohol labelling policies is being pushed forward by WHO/Europe in order to increase public awareness of alcohol-related harms. To help advance this agenda, the Youth Alcohol Network had the opportunity to become further engaged in activities relating to alcohol labelling.
Event notice
Alcohol is a major health risk, and young people are particularly affected. In the WHO European Region, alcohol is responsible for 1 in 4 deaths among people aged 20 to 24. To reduce the harms associated with alcohol use among young people, their meaningful involvement in alcohol-related policy-making is essential.
Youth engagement ensures that interventions are tailored to the target group. It also empowers young people to take responsibility for their own well-being and that of their peers, and fosters a sense of trust and credibility within the community.
On 22–23 November 2023, WHO/Europe will launch the Youth Alcohol Network at UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of EVID-ACTION. Co-funded by the European Union (EU), EVID-ACTION aims to strengthen the efforts of EU Member States as well as Iceland, Norway and Ukraine to reduce alcohol consumption and related harms.
The Youth Alcohol Network will use young people's insights and experience to advance the EVID-ACTION strategic agenda, activities and communications. Young people aged 18–30 years will come together to form a dynamic working group and build an action plan that will have real impact. Their efforts will drive transformative change in drinking cultures and reduce harms caused by alcohol for their peers and for future generations.