First time’s a charm - 2026 Young Journalists

L-aħħar aġġornament sar fi It-Tnejn, 16/03/2026

The first thing we knew about each other was our email addresses. Not the classic beginning of a friendship. But these days were anything but classic.

In between questions of "Where are you from?" or "What are you studying?", we put faces to names, even though there were some which were harder to remember than others. We took over the hotel’s biggest breakfast table every morning and shared our excitement for what the day would bring.

Over the course of the week, we got to know each other very well. But saying there were only seventeen of us would be an understatement (and almost an insult) to the work Stefanos, Carmen, and the entire Eurodesk team did to make us feel at home. The first day in the office was similar to Christmas morning: we hadn’t put a press badge on our wish list, but getting one made us feel like real journalists.

In 2026, the Pool of Young Journalists offered, for the first time, the chance for all 36 Eurodesk countries to participate. Each one of us was given an opportunity to write about subjects that matter to young people in Europe. And we all bubbled with ideas.

Workshops held during the week at the Eurodesk offices focused on interview techniques, storytelling, and public speaking. We had the privilege of working alongside professionals such as Karolis Vyšniauskas and John Holland, who guided us in writing and speaking in a powerful and engaging way. 
 

© Eurodesk, 2026

But we learned more than just journalism skills. Standing inside the European Parliament offered a direct view of where European decisions are made. For many, it was the first opportunity to witness firsthand the environment where European policies are shaped. We even got to discuss with Alexander Schafer, advisor to the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, about communicating with young people!

Alongside institutional visits and axe-throwing, we actually managed to get some work done, setting our agenda and planning the first published articles of the year. Working together created an immersive newsroom environment where we exchanged and developed our ideas.

Despite coming from different countries and backgrounds, we quickly connected to the point where we were all familiar with each other before the first team-building game in the office. Conversations ranged from quirky anecdotes about our family’s lineage to debates about the state of the world. We hoped the days could have had more hours: to get to know each other better and sleep a few minutes more.

During the week, journalism workshops and team-building activities became intertwined. We realised that writing articles together would be more powerful than doing so alone and that we were lucky to be in a space where our voices could be heard. We left ready to investigate stories, face new challenges, and begin our work as journalists. But, most of all, we were just looking forward to our next gathering in person.

The Brussels meeting marked the start of our journalistic path and built the foundation of a team ready to tell stories of a changing world.

We hope you enjoy our articles published on the Eurodesk page and discover all the voices Europe shares in a single echo.

Follow the new Young Journalists’Instagram Channel @youngjournalistseu to find out what their adventure was in Brussels and keep in touch with them!

Young Journalists in Europe - Meet the authors

Karol Hejduk

“I’m interested in politics, and I love getting to know different cultures, traditions and customs while travelling. I’m excited to work as a Young Journalist this year and hope to improve my storytelling skills!"

Nailah Casals de Vega

"In storytelling, I find a way to unite, confront deep fears, and nurture new dreams. Writing has become both a refuge and a battlefield, where I inch closer to defining its undeniable power."

This article reflects the views of the authors only. The European Commission and Eurodesk cannot be held responsible for it.