Every year, the European Union chooses to address a subject in order to encourage debate and dialogue within and between member states raising the awareness of European citizens to a specific problem.[1]
Beginning in 1983, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have chosen an annual theme of action each year, based on a European Commission proposal. European Years are an awareness campaign to educate European citizens and attract the attention of national governments of Member States to a particular issue, in order to change attitudes and behaviours at both the national and European level.[2]
| Year | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | European Year of Skills | |
| 2022 | European Year of Youth | |
| 2021 | European Year of Rail | [3] |
| 2018 | European Year of Cultural Heritage | [4] |
| 2017 | ||
| 2016 | ||
| 2015 | European Year for Development | [5] |
| 2014 | European Year of Citizens | [6] |
| 2013 | ||
| 2012 | European Year for Active Ageing | [7] |
| 2011 | European Year of Volunteering | [8] |
| 2010 | European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion | [9] |
| 2009 | European Year of Creativity and Innovation | [10] |
| 2008 | European Year of Intercultural Dialogue | [11] |
| 2007 | European Year of Equal Opportunities for All | |
| 2006 | European Year of Workers' Mobility | |
| 2005 | European Year of Citizenship through Education | |
| 2004 | European Year of Education through Sport | |
| 2003 | European Year of People with Disabilities | |
| 2002 | ||
| 2001 | European Year of Languages | |
| 2000 | ||
| 1999 | European Year of Action to Combat Violence Against Women | |
| 1998 | European Year of Local and Regional Democracy | |
| 1997 | European Year against Racism and Xenophobia | |
| 1996 | European Year of Lifelong Learning | |
| 1995 | European Year of Road Safety and Young Drivers | |
| 1994 | European Year of Nutrition and Health | |
| 1993 | European Year of the Elderly and of Solidarity between Generations | |
| 1992 | European Year of Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work | |
| 1991 | ||
| 1990 | European Year of Tourism | |
| 1989 | European Year of Information on Cancer | |
| 1988 | European Year of Cinema and Television | |
| 1987 | European Year of the Environment | |
| 1986 | European Year of Road Safety | |
| 1985 | European Year of Music | |
| 1984 | European Year for a People's Europe | |
| 1983 | European Year of SMEs and the Craft Industry | |