YEA do! Become a Young European Ambassador of the Western Balkans

What is the Young European Ambassadors network?

The Young European Ambassadors (YEA) platform is a creative communication network of future young activists from across the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia).

Young European Ambassadors stand for unity, progress, achievement, community, and a commitment to European values. They embody activism and the pursuit of youth agendas aimed at transforming their communities and, more importantly, the entire Western Balkans into a motivating and supportive environment for young people where dreams can flourish.

YEAs come from different backgrounds, yet they all share a common vision: the Western Balkans united in diversity, learning about each other and the EU together, pursuing creative projects, acquiring new skills, connecting via social media, organising inspiring events - always driven by the idea that activism in youth is the most powerful force of social change.

The YEA network is here to support you in realising your dream path—whether in art, culture, business, economics, activism, education, or beyond. Consider the YEA community as a gateway, a guide, and an ally in crafting your future and that of your peers. YEA offers you opportunities to grow, learn, connect, network, build bridges, create projects, and meet diverse, like-minded individuals.

YEAs open doors, inviting you to bravely walk through, being the voice of your community.

The YEA initiative was established in 2020 as part of the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans - WeBalkans.eu. The 180 YEAs were selected in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and you can meet all of them here: Meet the YEAs

WHO IS A YEA?

Being a Young European Ambassador of the Western Balkans is a calling. It is not just a network, it is a path that ultimately becomes a part of your lifestyle and unique European identity.

Each prospective YEA comes with a vision. Whether to make their community greener, or develop new software, advocate for a human rights issue, or conduct a grassroots project for a local Roma community – all dreams matter, and all make our societies vibrant and better.

YEA is a communicator.

YEA is a visionary.

YEA is a believer in activism and progress.

YEA is a innovator.

YEA is a human rights activist.

YEA is a relationship builder.

YEA is a connector.

WHAT DOES A YEA DO?

YEAs connect with their peers in local communities, join, organise, and participate in actions dedicated to their key area , making change happen day by day

YEAs participate in capacity-building and education seminars, webinars, workshops, and trainings organised by WeBalkans, the European Commission, and local partners in the region.

YEAs design impactful campaigns around topics of interest, using social media, organising events, engaging in meetings, facilitating local initiatives, and developing projects they are passionate about.

YEAs who show exceptional commitment to the network, and their key area of interest, will get to travel through the Western Balkans and EU when selected for a particular event.

YEAs represent the WeBalkans project and the EU in the Western Balkans, especially regarding the Youth Agenda.

They also collaborate closely with local EU Delegations and other EU partners, actively aligning with the daily priorities of EU integration.

Most importantly, a YEA is a self-motivated and proactive young person, leveraging their YEA title to propose new initiatives, make connections, and create opportunities for themselves and their peers - and the YEA network is here to support them in realising their dream path.

YEA is dedicated to the future of the interconnected, resilient, sustainable, and greener Western Balkans devoted to all its citizens.

Selection process

Evaluation and selection of YEAs will be carried out by the YEA Jury made up of experts from the YEA coordination team which is represented here by WeGlobal Agency, and the European Commission (DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations - DG NEAR). After the basic eligibility check, the Jury will evaluate the proposals according to the following scoring list:

Candidate’s profile and interest in becoming a YEA: 1-5

Candidate’s proposed idea for the YEA Campaign: 1-5

Candidate’s video about the key messages for the campaign: 1-5

Candidate has an open social media account and/or posted their video open for public: 1

Candidate’s campaign idea relates to one of the priorities outlined in “YEA Criteria to add value”: 1

Basic eligibility check: YES/NO

In case of equal scoring, applicants with a disclosed disability or belonging to other minority groups may be given an advantage.

Up to 18 candidates each with the highest score from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia will be selected as Young European Ambassadors 2024

PHASE 1:

Application process – October 2024

PHASE 2:

Evaluation and Selection process – November 2024

PHASE 3:

Announcing the winners in December 2024 and a YEA Launch Event in the Western Balkans.

Once you become a YEA

As a new YEA, you will be introduced to other YEAs during an orientation session, in which you will receive an information welcome pack, an overview of the main communication tools, along with a programme detailing the planned activities.

You will also be introduced to your mentor from YEA existing members through our “YEA Twins” programme. They will lead your way to feeling like a true YEA very soon! You will receive more information on this when you join the Network.

As soon as you are selected as a YEA, you will be asked to sign a Volunteer Agreement setting out expectations, roles, and responsibilities.

#YEStoYEA

Discover the Young European Ambassadors network

What is the Young European Ambassadors network?

WHO IS A YEA?

WHAT DOES A YEA DO?

Selection process

Once you become a YEA

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#YEStoYEA

Discover the Young European Ambassadors network

What is the Young European Ambassadors network?

WHO IS A YEA?

WHAT DOES A YEA DO?

Selection process

Once you become a YEA

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