YEU is recognized by the Council of Europe and the Directorate of Youth and Sports of the European Commission.

YEU is a non-profit International Youth Non Governmental Organization (IYNGO) independent of all political affiliation.

Youth for Exchange and Understanding was founded on 28 August 1986 in Strasbourg by a group of 120 young people from 11 different countries, a result of 4-year cooperation which started in Germany in 1981 with the first international meeting - Convention (officially said Convention in 1983) with participants from eight nations.

[1] YEU is inclusive network of youth organisations, led by and for young people, promoting importance of active citizenship initiatives by using non-formal education as a tool in order to provide knowledge, skills and intercultural experience for personal and social development.

There are three main bodies within YEU, the administrative office (AO), the governing board (GB) and the assembly of member organisations (GA).