Your Europe Your Say (YEYS) – Take part with your school!

Last updated on Wednesday, 10/07/2024

Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS) is the annual youth event of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) connecting young people with Europe.

Every year, young people between 16 and 18 years old from all EU Member States, the official EU candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine) and the UK, have the chance to come to Brussels for two days to learn about the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and its role and to exchange views and propose recommendations on a specific subject which will then be passed to the EU institutions.

What’s the EESC all about? The EESC is an advisory body composed of representatives from various social and economic groups across Europe. It ensures that EU policies are practical, reflect the needs of the people, and contribute to a stronger, more unified Europe. This event is a unique moment for the EESC to open its doors to young people and engage them in discussions on the future of Europe. Furthermore, participants are also put in contact with international youth organisations who will help translate their recommendations into practical measures.

Each year there is a new edition of the event so note it in your calendar and you might be the next participant!   

How to apply

In order to participate in “You Europe, Your Say!” participants will have to meet the following requirements:

• Must be 18 to 25 years old at the time of the event;
• Live in any of the EU's 27 Member-states and be eligible to vote in the European elections; or 
• Live in the 8 candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine) or the UK.
• Secondary school students; or
• Students representing university student organisations or societies; or
• Youth delegates active in civil society, such as but not only, as part of national civil society organisations, national economic and social committees, and parliaments; youth organisations, such as but not limited to, those involving young entrepreneurs, craft organisations, workers, trade unionists, farmers, environmental associations, women, people with disabilities, human rights activists, volunteers.
• host one EESC Member for an information session on the EU and the Committee, to one or more classes of the selected school (travel expenses of the EESC member to be paid by the EESC).

Heads up! Since YEYS is all in English, you'll need to be comfortable speaking and understanding the language to participate.

The event will take place in Brussels at the headquarters of the European Economic and Social Committee. The EESC will cover the travel and accommodation costs of the students and accompanying teachers.

For more information on when the next call will be out, stay tuned.
 
Find out more about the past sessions here.

Written by Eurodesk Brussels Link