#YEStoYEA – Understanding and Building Your Personal Brand Within the #WeBalkans Story

On January 9th and 10th, over 80 Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) participated in the engaging online webinar titled #YEStoYEA-Understanding and Building Your Personal Brand Within the #WeBalkans Story. The sessions were led by Adrijana Husić, a renowned marketing and communications professional, recognized for her expertise in public relations, communication, and branding.

The webinar focused on building a deeper understanding of branding fundamentals while connecting three levels of branding: WeBalkans as the umbrella brand, the YEA network brand, and personal branding as an individual’s unique contribution. YEAs explored how personal branding helps them stand out as credible, relatable, and inspiring representatives of the YEA network and the broader WeBalkans programme.

Adrijana introduced branding as a combination of “part art, part science“, emphasizing the creativity and strategy involved in defining and building a memorable brand. Through actionable tips, tools, and case studies, the webinar reminded that “anything and anyone can be a brand”, empowering YEAs to view their personal stories as powerful tools for connection.

One of the highlights of the webinar was engaging storytelling strategies, designed to help YEAs craft compelling narratives. These tips and advice will not only support YEAs in developing their personal brands but also make it easier for them to communicate the key areas and work of the EU in their communities. This alignment ensures their messaging remains impactful and relevant within the #WeBalkans story.

YEAs engaged in lively discussions, sharing insights on what makes a personal brand memorable, their preferred audiences, and how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance their social media content creation. The exchange of ideas sparked thought-provoking conversations and encouraged YEAs to reflect on their digital presence.

Another key takeaway was understanding how a brand is built step by step, whether it’s for a project, a network, or an individual. By aligning personal branding strategies with the overarching #WeBalkans brand, ambassadors can amplify their influence and connect meaningfully with their audiences.