Why a free Interrail trip for Europeans to #DiscoverEU at 18

There is more to our proposal than free train tickets. We see this as an investment in young people and in Europe's future. It reinforces the main aim of the European Union: to bring people together. We want young Europeans to discover the EU is also about emotions, not just politics. We want to give them a taste of what it feels like, not only to be Slovak, German or Greek, but also European. And what better way than by taking the train?

Every country in the European Union invests a lot in their national identity. That's how we know the tie originated in Croatia, or that Italy is world famous for its cuisine, or that French wines are among the best in the world. But what about our common identity? We need to make a similar investment at European level. Earlier this year, the European Parliament called for a specific budget to cover the free ticket programme and the European Commission responded with €12m for more 12,000 DiscoverEU Passes in 2018. After the massive success of the first round, the Commission secured another 12,000 tickets for the spring of next year. Of course, this is just the start–we want every 18-year-old to have this opportunity.

A free Interrail ticket could help hundreds of thousands of young Europeans fulfil aspirations that are beyond their means. And funding travel costs is just the start. Regions and cities could follow up by welcoming young Europeans with language-learning, cultural and social activities, or even targeted assistance for accommodation. The possibilities are endless.

All you should need to start your journey is some spare weeks and lots of curiosity. And all we need for this project to become a reality is your help, your support, your say.

"Getting to know your neighbours and discovering what Europe is about is so important. Europe is all about you; it's about the people who are so different and yet so similar. It's about getting to know one another. That's why Interrail is great. You get to travel all around Europe and find out how beautiful our continent is."

Manfred Weber, Chairman, Group of the European People's Party

Make it around Europe.
Make Europe yours.
DiscoverEU 2018

DiscoverEU 2018

Timing

Online applications will be open from 29th of November to 11th of December 2018.

Selection will be done by a jury of European Commission officials and winners will be notified in January 2019.

Conditions for applicants
18 years old on 31 December 2018.
National of one of the 28 EU Member States.
Individuals or as a group of up to 5.

Travel
Starts in one of the 28 EU Member States.
Between April 15th and October 31st, 2019.
For between 1 and 30 days.
To at least 1 and up to 4 cross-border destinations.

Requirements
Motivation to visit at least one European Cultural Heritage site.
Applicants need to respond to a quiz on EU cultural heritage, European Parliament elections and youth.
Want to become a DiscoverEU Ambassador.
Reporting on their travel experiences on social media and making their pictures available for the DiscoverEU anniversary photo exhibition at the European Parliament.

What is Interrail?

Interrail is synonymous with borderless rail travel throughout Europe, providing multi-destination train travel across the continent. With just one single rail ticket, European residents have the ability to travel through up to 30 different European countries. Created in 1972 as a unique train travel pass designed specifically for youth, the Interrail Pass is now used by more than 250,000 European travellers of all ages each year to explore the geographical, cultural, and historical distinctiveness of Europe. The Interrail programme is made possible through the close collaboration of more than 35 European railway and ferry companies.

What is the Interrail proposal?

That every young European (citizen or legally resident) would obtain a pass for railway travel within the European Union for his/her 18th birthday.

Why is Interrail unique in Europe?

Together with the railway and ferry companies involved, Interrail prides itself on being a symbol of European harmonisation. Interrail aims to provide all travellers with a life changing experience that authentically reflects an interconnected, united Europe. By providing a borderless travel experience in as many as 30 European countries, Interrail enables travellers to meet and connect with people from different backgrounds, new cultures, and uncover more about the abundant history, diversity and shared values of Europe.

Why should the EU do this?

The EU has invested a lot, in many areas, over recent decades. But perhaps not enough in building a European identity that allows every citizen not only to live in Europe but to feel European. EU countries invest in building their national identity, more needs to be done at the European level. Europe is above all about people connecting and sharing emotions: it is what makes it such an exciting place to live together now and in the future.

Why now?

Young people are increasingly assailed by misinformation about Europe. If we want to counter the current growth of populism, they need to be able to discover for themselves the advantages of free movement, the reality of neighbouring countries and what unites this diversity of people.

Why an 18th birthday present?

At 18, all young Europeans come of age and are eager to open their minds to new experiences. With Interrail, they can plan their own trips, taking their first steps into adulthood as independent explorers of Europe.

Why is an Interrail programme needed?

80% of young Europeans believe that the EU stands for the freedom of travel, but over a third of them don't know anyone in another Member State. Also, one in six Europeans would take up learning a foreign language if they had the possibility to travel abroad.

Who is paying for the tickets?

The programme is being financed from the EU budget. The European Parliament called for a specific budget to cover the free ticket programme and the European Commission responded with €12m for 15,000 DiscoverEU Passes in 2018.

Why should the EU give young people presents instead of jobs?

The project is not a give-away. It is an investment in young people: Europe needs upcoming generations to support more solidarity between countries. By opening young people's minds to the benefits of economic as well as personal exchanges, it also complements EU programmes and policies to boost youth employment, such as the Youth Employment Initiative, for which a substantial increase has been secured in 2017. Familiarity with an international context prepares young people for the jobs of the future.

Isn't this just another proposal for those who can already afford it?

This initiative should give all young people, regardless of their social or educational background, the opportunity to discover Europe's diversity. We want it to be as inclusive as possible. We are committed to running an information campaign alongside the project and reaching out to stakeholders at relevant levels so that those youngsters who might be prevented from benefiting are sure to be able to participate. European cities and regions could set up targeted projects to attract these young people, meaning they would not need a lot of money for their stay and food.