During an online selection event today hosted by the European Commission and the WeBalkans team, an expert jury made up of well-known leaders from the region announced the 60 winners who will join the Young European Ambassadors network.

The selected YEAs bring a diverse mix of skills and passions to the network. While coming from a variety of backgrounds, all share an interest in learning about EU values, connecting with their peers, and pursuing their talents. Most importantly, they are open to sharing ideas and inspiring change in their communities, the Western Balkan region, and across the EU.

The latest open call for Young European Ambassadors was launched in June and almost 300 candidates applied. During the exciting months of August and September, more than 47,000 votes were cast for the selection of the new Young European Ambassadors. After the close of online voting, the top 30 candidates from each country, respecting gender equality, were evaluated by the European Commission, European Union Delegations and the EU Office in the Western Balkans, the WeBalkans Team and the expert jury – guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, creativity, and leadership.

Following the signing of their volunteer agreements, the 60 winners will officially join the 60 YEAs who were selected in 2020. The young people will take part in education seminars and webinars, conferences, cultural events, and study trips across the EU and the Western Balkans to expand their skills and networks. They will get involved in all kinds of creative and social action projects and will develop their leadership skills through tailor-made courses, developing online and offline communication techniques and learning about the EU and what it offers the Western Balkan region.

To take part, applicants were required to be 18-29 years old and resident in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia. They needed to be active on social media and interested in areas such as EU integration, environmental protection, arts and culture, technology, human rights, and health and well-being. They were required to explain what qualifies them to be the voice of youth in a 1-minute video.

The high number of participants and votes cast shows the great interest in the project, and in opportunities offered by the EU for young people in the Western Balkans not only for their personal improvement, but also for building solidarity and mutual support.

You can find more information about Young European Ambassadors here with the new profiles online next week.