CEJA, the European Council of Young Farmers, was founded
in Rome in 1958 when young farmers’ organisations
from the six initial Member States of the European Coal
and Steel Community (ECSC) set up a “Comité d’Entente”.
Later renamed the European Council of Young Farmers,
the umbrella organisation’s main aim is to represent the
interests of young farmers to EU institutions and other
stakeholders. Now in its 60th year, CEJA’s membership is
composed of 30 national organisations and one associate
member.
The organisation stands for around two million young
farmers across 21 EU Member States and Serbia. It is officially
recognised as representing the interests of part
of the agricultural sector and contributes to the development
of relevant policies and debates.

Throughout its 60 years, CEJA has strived to represent and
defend the interests of the future generation of farmers to
EU institutions, stakeholders and the media.
In brief, CEJA:
• Raises the issue of generational renewal in agriculture
to the general public, key decision-makers and other
stakeholders;
• Promotes the need to support youth policies, particularly
in agriculture;
• Promotes the benefits of the agricultural sector and
farming profession to the general public;
• Acts as a facilitator in discussions between stakeholders
across the food chain; and
• Provides a networking platform for young farmers in
Europe to exchange views on best practices in farming,
policy perspectives and agricultural matters.