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