Applications Open for Young European Ambassadors Initiative

Deadline: 12-Oct-2026

The Young European Ambassadors initiative invites young people aged 16–26 from the European Union, United Kingdom, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine to join a voluntary international network. Selected participants promote youth dialogue, civic engagement, cross-border cooperation, and awareness of the European Union’s partnerships with Eastern partner countries.

About the Young European Ambassadors Initiative

The Young European Ambassadors initiative, commonly known as YEAs, is a non-political and voluntary youth network. Launched in 2016, the initiative connects young people across the European Union and its Eastern neighbourhood. The network creates opportunities for participants to exchange ideas, discuss issues affecting young people, develop civic-engagement activities, and build relationships across national and cultural borders. Purpose of the Initiative The Young European Ambassadors initiative aims to: - Build connections among young people across Europe. - Promote dialogue and mutual understanding. - Strengthen cooperation between the EU and Eastern partner countries. - Raise awareness of EU-supported initiatives. - Showcase the results of regional partnerships. - Encourage youth participation in civic life. - Support policy dialogue on issues affecting young people. - Promote community leadership. - Share knowledge and good practices. - Empower youth to contribute to the development of their countries. - Build friendships across borders.

Participating Countries

Applications are open to eligible young people from: - Armenia. - Azerbaijan. - Belarus. - Georgia. - Republic of Moldova. - Ukraine. - European Union Member States. - United Kingdom. Applicants should confirm whether any country-specific conditions or participation arrangements apply in the current recruitment round. Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

- Be between 16 and 26 years old. - Be from an eligible country. - Have a good level of English. - Be interested in European Union affairs. - Be interested in their country’s relationship with the EU. - Be willing to participate in civic-engagement activities. - Be prepared to dedicate time to the network. - Be motivated to support their community or country. - Be interested in dialogue and international cooperation. - Be able to participate constructively in a diverse network. Candidates should consult the official call for the age-reference date and any residency or citizenship requirements. Age Requirement Applicants must be between 16 and 26 years old. Young people under 18 should review whether additional consent or safeguarding requirements apply. Candidates close to the minimum or maximum age should confirm how eligibility is calculated for the relevant recruitment round. English-Language Requirement Applicants need a good working level of English because it is the network’s main shared language.

Participants may need English to

- Communicate with members from other countries. - Attend online meetings. - Participate in international discussions. - Complete training activities. - Prepare presentations or content. - Exchange ideas and good practices. - Represent their perspectives within the network. Applicants do not necessarily need perfect English, but they should be able to communicate ideas and participate actively. What Does a Young European Ambassador Do?

Selected participants may:

- Join online discussions and meetings. - Participate in dialogue-driven activities. - Organize or support civic initiatives. - Share information about EU cooperation. - Raise awareness of youth issues. - Represent young people from their countries. - Participate in domestic and international events. - Exchange experiences with peers. - Share successful community practices. - Contribute to youth-focused policy discussions. - Develop public-speaking and communication skills. - Support local community engagement.

Participation requires consistent involvement rather than membership in name only

Voluntary and Non-Political Nature The Young European Ambassadors initiative is voluntary and non-political. Its purpose is to promote dialogue, cooperation, awareness, and civic participation rather than party-political campaigning. Applicants should understand that participation involves contributing time and effort to network activities. The available information does not describe the initiative as salaried employment or a grant program. Candidates should review the official terms for information about travel, event participation, reimbursements, or other practical arrangements. Key Areas of Engagement Young European Ambassadors may participate in discussions and activities relating to: Specific topics may change according to current priorities and youth interests. Raising Awareness of EU Cooperation One objective of the initiative is to increase understanding of cooperation between the European Union and Eastern partner countries. Young European Ambassadors may help communicate: - The purpose of EU partnerships. - Opportunities available to young people. - Results of EU-supported initiatives. - Examples of regional cooperation. - Education and mobility opportunities. - Community and development projects. - Youth perspectives on international cooperation. Information shared by participants should be accurate, accessible, and appropriate for the intended audience. Youth Policy Dialogue The network creates opportunities for young people to contribute to discussions on policies and issues affecting their lives.

Policy dialogue may involve:

- Sharing youth perspectives. - Identifying community challenges. - Participating in consultations. - Discussing possible solutions. - Engaging with institutions and decision-makers. - Presenting recommendations. - Connecting local concerns with regional discussions. Young European Ambassadors do not need to be policy experts, but they should be prepared to listen, learn, and contribute thoughtfu