Young people’s voices and needs are often under-represented in public life. This is why we have placed them at the heart of our work.
In 2023, we developed a new strategy focused on three core pillars: Youth and Democracy, Youth and Mental Well-being, and Defending Against Authoritarianism.
We are exploring the state of democracy at a time when young people's trust in institutions is in severe decline and looking at the impact of new technologies while continuing to support, develop and highlight strategies against authoritarianism.
Rising anxiety and depression rates among Europe's young will have significant consequences, so we are also working to increase the political priority of mental health and investigate how the needs of young people can be better represented, understood and responded to.
This work builds on the knowledge we have accumulated over thirty years of activities in the fields of journalism, education, the arts, and science, and the strengths of our unique network of partners, collaborators and prize laureates.
We focus on projects that have a tangible impact on our audiences locally and across Europe.
Collaboration is key. We partner with diverse institutions, non-profit organisations and innovative individuals, and specialist knowledge groups to share ideas and develop projects. We are committed to experimentation — either through designing and piloting new projects, trying different formats, or supporting independent, pioneering ideas – alongside more traditional forms of action, such as research-based reports.
We also identify and support forward-thinking and progressive individuals and organisations through our biennial prizes in Education, Journalism, Science and the Arts. Each edition focuses on a different aspect of these fields, with a prize-giving ceremony and a flexible programme of events tailored to the topic.
The Evens Foundation was initiated by Irene Evens-Radzyminska and George Evens in 1990. Having witnessed the horrors of World War Two, which forced them to flee their home in Poland, they found new hope in Belgium. The Foundation's creation expressed their belief in – and commitment to – the European Project: a vision of a Europe where unity and solidarity would prevail over discord.
Since then, the Foundation has evolved in response to the changing needs and concerns of communities within the EU and beyond. In 2023, the Foundation initiated a new strategy with a new mission focusing on young people aged 16-29.
Corinne Evens, daughter of the founders, is the Honorary President of the Foundation. Joe Elborn is the Foundation's Executive Director, and Monique Canto-Sperber is the Chairwoman of the Advisory Board.
Find out about our previous activities and projects in our Annual Reports: