Terms and Conditions

The Young European Ambassadors initiative invites young people from across the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – to become leaders in their communities and inspire change across the region, the European Union and beyond.

The Young European Ambassadors initiative is part of the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans. The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by a communication agency, Pomilio Blumm srl. YEA is a non-political, activist initiative.

The Terms & Conditions presented here apply at every phase of participation in the Young European Ambassadors project. Dates are subject to change in the following cycles of selection.

The Call is open to all applicants who meet the criteria outlined in Article 3.

The YEA Network provides Young European Ambassadors with the opportunity to:

• CONNECT through activism, creativity, the arts, communication, concern for the environment, sports, and the sharing of common values
• CREATE by pursuing their own talents, developing their skills, and designing new ideas
• INFLUENCE by acquiring the tools and mechanisms to promote, become a voice for, and to inspire, positive change
• PROMOTE EU values in the most tangible way: through interaction, networking, sharing experiences and values, creating inspiring projects, and promoting creativity
• ENHANCE cooperation and interaction among youth at both the EU and regional levels, especially in areas that naturally connect young people (such as the arts, music, social media, concern for the environment and each other, sports, etc.) towards boosting youth participation and strengthening a European identity
• ENGAGE all relevant stakeholders across the YEA’s activities (local EU Info Offices, EU projects and programmes in the Western Balkans, youth hub organisations, and relevant regional institutions) in their projects and initiatives
• PARTICIPATE in the Youth Ambassadors Network of the EU Neighbours platform and other such EU youth platforms, to enhance peer-to-peer exchange and connections

Applications must be submitted online at the Young European Ambassadors section of the WeBalkans.eu website. https://www.webalkans.eu/yea Applications made through the submission of physical documents, letters, CVs, and so on, will not be considered as eligible applications to the YEA programme.

Selection criteria

We are looking for young activists who are willing to inspire change within their communities and across the Western Balkan region and the EU. Applicants should be interested in both online and offline activism – from social media, podcasts, webinars to real-life events, community actions etc.

Eligibility criteria for applicants:

• You must be between 18 and 29 years old when you apply
• You must be a resident of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, or Serbia
• You must be an enthusiast of one or several of the following areas:
  • EU integration
  • Environmental protection
  • Arts and culture
  • Technology
  • Human rights
  • Health and well-being
• You must have a good level of English (Common European Framework Reference for Languages B2 and above)
• You must be active on social media with profiles open to the public (Facebook and Instagram are mandatory, Twitter is an asset, other networks are optional) - please note that CLOSED profiles will be considered ineligible.

We will give priority to those of you who:

• have not had many opportunities to participate in EU projects;
• have not had many opportunities to travel within the Western Balkans and to the EU for educational or professional purposes;
• have basic knowledge of and passion for online activism, social media and communication with diverse audiences.

The Young European Ambassadors initiative is committed to diversity and attracting candidates from all backgrounds. In particular, young people who may not have had previous opportunities to take part in EU projects are encouraged to apply for YEA.

The mandatory application package consists of:

• 1) An application form including:
  • Applicant’s surname and first name
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Social media URL profiles (FB and IG mandatory – open profiles)
  • Completed application form
• 2) A 1-MINUTE VIDEO (maximum of 1 minute and 90 MB) in any of the following file extensions: mp4, mpeg, avi, mpg, mov
• 3) Compliance with the Terms & Conditions

Only fully completed applications that have been submitted through the online form will be eligible for acceptance into the YEA application process. For any technical issues related to the video upload or application form, please contact our Technical Support: [email protected]
Submission is free of charge.

• Candidates who have not had many opportunities to participate in EU projects by May 2022 will be at an advantage
• Candidates with no significant experience travelling to the EU for educational purposes will be at an advantage
• Candidates with basic knowledge and passion for online activism, social media, and communication with diverse audiences will be at an advantage

Submissions that fall into any of the following categories will be deemed ineligible:
Applications that are incomplete or that lack mandatory information/content.

• Applications that do not meet the criteria stated in Article 3.
• Applications that are not submitted by the set deadline.
• Applications that violate the Terms & Conditions listed in Articles 7, 8, and 10.
• Applicant(s) who do not fulfil basic eligibility criteria will not be considered in the YEA online voting process.
• Only eligible applicants will receive notification, and be proposed for inclusion in the voting process.
• Applications that are ineligible will be automatically excluded from the selection process without prior notification.

The YEA project management team has sole discretion to determine an entry’s eligibility. Entries that do not comply with formal requirements, contain offensive content, or are otherwise objectionable, will be disqualified. YEA organisers reserve the right to reject submissions/entries without providing supporting reasons or notice.

There is no legal recourse if an application is disqualified for the above-stated reasons.

For enquiries either on an application’s status, or its eligibility for the Open Online Voting process, please contact: [email protected]

Please see the section Phase 2 Eligibility check and online voting

Please see section Evaluation of Applications – Phase 3

Please note that there is a period of five days to discuss internal negotiations and the signing of the YEA Volunteer Agreement with the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans, during which any potential enquiries from third parties with regards to the selection process may be directed to this email address: [email protected]

The official list of YEA Ambassadors will be published on the WeBalkans.eu website (YEA section), as well as the communication programme’s official channels and social media platforms.

Note:

Preference will be given to applications that contribute to cultural/ethnic/religious diversity, as well as gender equality, among the final winners.

The eligible applicants who are unsuccessful in the final YEA selection will remain in the network’s database and be allowed to participate, share, and engage with YEA content for as long as they wish to do so, and as much as they want. Their contact information will also remain in the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans database for potential future events and activities, from which they can request to opt out at any time.

Video clips to be uploaded to the YEA application form may be in the following file extensions mp4, mpeg, avi, mpg, mov, have an average duration of 1 minute, and be up to 90 MB in size. Video clips that do not meet these standards will not be considered.

By agreeing to these Terms & Conditions, applicants authorise the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans:

• - to use without restriction photographs and/or films bearing their image as described above in all types of publications, and in any form of televisual broadcasting or communication via the Internet;
• - to include and archive these photographs and/or films in the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans and European Union’s online databases, accessible online to the public, and free of charge. Third parties that have access to these databases may use said photographs and/or films in compliance with the EC's Decision on the re-using of the Commission's documents (2011/833/EU) for informational or educational purposes only, in order to illustrate or promote activities or projects of European institutions and the European Union in the past, present, and future.

The EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans guarantees that personal data relating to applicants are processed according to the rules set by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2018 (repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001). Data may be archived by the European Commission.

The applicant understands that as the data’s subject, they have the right to access data, be informed on the existence and extent of data processing, rectify incorrect personal data, and oppose further processing, on serious and legitimate grounds.

To exercise these rights, please contact the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans at the following address: [email protected]

More information on data protection and privacy policy is set out in Article 10 of these Terms & Conditions.

The EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans reserves the right to disqualify and/or exclude a participant in the event that the presented Terms & Conditions are not respected, and/or unacceptable behaviour is demonstrated at any point throughout the duration of the project.

The European spirit, fair contest, respect, friendship, team spirit, equality, respect for written and unwritten rules such as integrity, solidarity, tolerance, care, excellence, and joy, form the building blocks of the ‘fair play’ concept that is being promoted by the network.

Young European Ambassadors are allowed to seek any professional activities. However, if accepted in an EU funded project or in an EU body / EU Delegation or similar, the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans and the European Commission reserve the right to decide, on a case-by-case basis, whether this is compatible with the YEA function.

The EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans and the European Commission reserves the right to be the deciding party in the event of unforeseen circumstances, or in the amendment of rules, during the course of the entire duration of the project.

The Young European Ambassadors initiative welcomes applications from young people with disabilities who satisfy the general application criteria. A youth ambassador who is selected by both the Open Online Voting and YEA Jury processes will not be excluded on account of their disability. The Network will, to the best of its efforts, ensure that a member with disabilities is able to fully participate in all its events – including online activities and travel functions – as agreed with the participant.

The EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans guarantees that personal data relating to applicants are processed according to the rules set by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2018 (repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001). Data may be archived by the European Commission.

Data requested will only be used for the purpose of selecting chosen applicants and enabling the activities of the YEA Network.

The Privacy Policy (https://www.webalkans.eu/privacy-policy) of the EU Communication Programme for the Western Balkans explains how the project uses their personal data and how the privacy of said data is protected.

Applicants may exercise the right to recourse at any time to the European Data Protection Supervisor.

By agreeing to these Terms & Conditions, candidates give their consent to the processing of their personal data to the extent necessary for the achievement of the purposes mentioned above.

This project is governed by EU law. The Court of Justice of the European Union shall have sole jurisdiction to hear any dispute between the Union and any beneficiary concerning the interpretation, application, or validity of the rules of this project, if such dispute cannot be settled amicably.

Potential complaints and enquiries concerning the YEA application process can be directed to this email: [email protected]

The EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans reserves the right to terminate complaint procedure at any moment if inappropriate behaviour or tone of voice are demonstrated on behalf of complainer.

The EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans and/or the European Commission cannot be held accountable for any form of harmful online behaviour outside of the channels controlled and managed by the organisers themselves.

The EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans and/or the European Commission cannot be held responsible for the cancellation, postponement, or modification of the dates or activities of the Western Balkans’ Communication Programme for the YEA Network due to unforeseen circumstances.

Participation in any part of the Young European Ambassadors project implies full acceptance of the above regulations.

By accepting Terms and conditions you are also accepting the addendum to the Terms and Conditions - Guidelines for Conduct as YEA.

A help desk will be made available should you have any doubts or if you require further information. Please refer to the following email: [email protected]

I have read and accepted all the Rules and Conditions concerning the application process for the Young European Ambassadors Network of the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans, and all its future activities.